Forget Fantasy Sports, How About Fantasy Politics!

from the how'd-your-draft-go? dept

Tue, Oct 24th 2006 10:25pm — Mike Masnick

It's no secret that fantasy sports has become a huge industry. From what started as a fun diversion for some baseball fans a few decades ago, to one of the most popular hobbies for sports fans (and lucrative businesses for providers) around the world for just about any sport, it's become incredibly common. However, why stop at sports? Apparently some college students have decided to extend it to another realm, and have created "Fantasy Congress" to let political buffs draft their favorite politicians and score points based on the progress of legislation they propose (no word on how many points you get if your politician is forced to resign in disgrace). It's sort of somewhere halfway between fantasy sports and one of those futures betting markets that have become so popular these days. The creators seem quite idealistic about the whole thing, hoping that if people pay more attention to our politicians and the laws they're proposing we'll get better government. That would certainly be nice. Of course, in sports, while it is true that fantasy sports has rejuvenated interest in various sports, it's also created something of a money grab. Remember how Major League Baseball has been claiming that any fantasy sports league needs to pay it for the rights? Next thing, we'll be hearing complaints from politicians that they're not being reimbursed for the use of their likeness and their bills...

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20 Comments

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TacoJim, 24 Oct 2006 @ 11:23pm

The Sims - Congress Version
Why has no one created this yet?
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dorpus, 24 Oct 2006 @ 11:54pm

Is it "huge"?
Aren't they akin to a bunch of fringe nerds claiming that _____ (insert nerd hobby here) is "huge"?
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Anon, 25 Oct 2006 @ 12:11am

Yeah, those crazy bastards at Fortune. They just make this shit up:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/07/technology/fantasysports_fortune_121205/index.htm
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dorpus, 25 Oct 2006 @ 3:56am

Re:
How did they come up with the statistic of "15 million"? Even if we believe it, that is still only about 1 out of every 200 Americans. It means there are twice as many schizophrenics (1% prevalence) as fantasy football fans.
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Daniel Keav, 25 Oct 2006 @ 4:02am

interesting
This would be an amazing tool to teach kids about how our government works. (Suddenly can't get the tune; "I'm just a bill out of my head)
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Benny Boy, 25 Oct 2006 @ 4:54am

Re: interesting
Or how our government /should/ work instead. o.O I don't think we should break our childrens innocence by telling them that most politicans are crooks, liars, and bastards and that the right people are never the ones in power. :P That would be too depressing. Which is why a talking Bill is sooooo much better.
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Sanguine Dream, 25 Oct 2006 @ 5:31am

All fine and dandy...
until Congress tries to pass a bill/law that will ban fantasy politics. I can see it now. The bill/law would be tacked onto a totally unrelated measure (lets say a bill/law punishes corprorations for doing business with countries that have known ties to terrorism). Which would lead to the Techdirt article, "If you support fantasy politics you support terrorism."
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Ryan, 25 Oct 2006 @ 6:15am

RE: Dorpus
how do you come up with that 1/200 number?

Seems to me you're off by a power of 10 somewhere..

there's 300 million americans...

15mil / 300 mil = 5%
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Doclotus, 25 Oct 2006 @ 6:26am

Fantasy Election is Available
A pretty cool website called America's Debate is hosting a fantasy election where you can pick who you think will win on November 7th.

http://www.americasdebate.com/forums/index.php?autocom=fantasyelection
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James, 25 Oct 2006 @ 6:54am

"Next thing, we'll be hearing complaints from politicians that they're not being reimbursed for the use of their likeness and their bills..."

Not so. They are public figures and the bills are public domain.
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Corey, 25 Oct 2006 @ 7:00am

On the horizon
"Next thing, we'll be hearing complaints from politicians that they're not being reimbursed for the use of their likeness and their bills."

Either that or the politicians will propose imposing taxes on the curency used for trade within the fantacy market.
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ForkBoySpam, 25 Oct 2006 @ 7:10am

Awesome!
"hoping that if people pay more attention to our politicians and the laws they're proposing we'll get better government."

What a great frickin concept!!!! Something like this should have been done years ago, say like maybe even 4.....
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Trouble Maker, 25 Oct 2006 @ 7:22am

two cents worth
Why not? Political ethics and honor already are a fantasy.
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WePlayMegaMans, 25 Oct 2006 @ 7:44am

Political Fantasy Draft
And with the first pick in the 2007 Presidential Draft, the Democrats select..... Hillary Rodham Clinton of the New York State Senate!! ((Crowd boos loudly)) It doesn't look like the crowd agrees with that pick Boomer.
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Jerry S, 25 Oct 2006 @ 8:07am

Re: The Sims - Congress Version
Because we are depressed enough watching REAL people make bad decisions. We don't need a cartoonized mock up of the same.

Aside from that, all I'd ever do with Sims Congress would be to remove the doors of the building, remove the vending machines and bathrooms, light a cigarette and prepare to be amused.
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SailorAlphaCentauri, 25 Oct 2006 @ 11:16am

I'd probably do it...
considering that I'm involved in Fafarazz.com which allows people to create teams to draft celebrities into fantasy leagues.

Then again, after recovering from my Sims addiction (which was easy enough after getting burned when the company all but abandoned the original Sims game for the Sims 2...which I reluctantly got into when my computer could finally run the stupid thing), the last thing I need is to get sucked into a Sims congressional game.

I'll just stay home and watch my Schoolhouse Rock DVDs and contemplate joining the league to cement my lack-of-life status.
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Steve Savage, 26 Oct 2006 @ 1:47pm

My Fantasy Congress...
Is one that actually cares about us.

Heck of a fantasy eh?
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Fantasy-Politics, 29 Oct 2006 @ 11:03am

Re: The Sims - Congress Version
It's coming...
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Steve, 9 Feb 2007 @ 4:50pm

There's also a fantasy politics with..
the presidential candidates for the next election. Fantasypoliticsusa.com Enjoy! Tell your friends :-)
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Paul, 6 Oct 2007 @ 9:02pm

2008 Presidential Election Fantasy Alternative
Another political game, that requires far less time than traditional fantasy games, is the Last 2 Left Presidential Election 2008 game. It's a totally free website that offers a public game and private office pools. http://www.last2left.com
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