For those of you too excited about the upcoming SES conference in New York to pay attention to the world around you, I wanted to share something with you to help keep you up to date on this internet world we work in.

Recently, a very clever individual posted an anonymous political advertisement on YouTube. The ad is a spoof of the famous 1984 Apple Super Bowl commercial announcing the release of its Macintosh computer. The 1984 ad is credited with forever changing television advertising.

The Hilary Clinton YouTube spot depicts Clinton as big brother, promoting conformity among the masses. Human drones watch until a female athlete races into the room and smashes the scene. It ends with a play on the text from the original 1984 Super Bowl commercial, claiming that 2008 will not be like 1984, a reference to George Orwell’s book, 1984. Finally it ends with the web address http://www.barackobama.com at the bottom. The commercial is so clever, the athlete in this 2008 commercial is even wearing an I-Pod.

As a disclaimer, I am not trying to share or support any political ideal or candidate with this post. This specifically relates to the way the internet has changed the political landscape.

This commercial exemplifies the ever changing online environment. Time magazine’s person of the year this year was “You.” A decision made by the editors to signify the user generated content sweeping the internet. From YouTube to MySpace to blogs to LifeInTheBlue, the game really has changed. Anyone with a computer and internet access can post articles, pictures or video to promote their views on anything they so desire. Great. The free exchange of ideas and the first amendment protect anyone from fear of persecution based on their own personal beliefs or opinions.

The individual who created the ad ended his silence on the Huffington Post Blog, by saying. “I did it, and I am proud of it.” He was identified as Phil de Vellis, an employee of the firm handing Obaba’s campaign, Blue State Digital. Unfortunatley, de Vellis was not granted protection for his cleverness. On his post, it says he resigned, but other reports say “Blue State Digital has separated ties with this individual. Mr. de Vellis has been terminated from Blue State Digital effective immediately.” So it is pretty clear to me he was given about the same options as embattled Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball coach Dan Monson, after leading the team to a 9-21 campaign this year: Resign or be fired.

It is important to note that DeVills made the commercial on his own time over the weekend, using his own equipment. There was no reference to Blue State Digital in the commercial he created. The company had no idea that he created the ad, and neither did any of thier clients. Still, for creatively voicing his own opinion, he was canned.

Unfortunately, I am afraid perhaps 2008 is more like the book, 1984. To me, his firing represents that indeed, big brother is indeed always watching. People are not free to voice their opinions as they please.

DeVills ends his blog with – “This ad was not the first citizen ad, and it will not be the last. The game has changed.” It has indeed changed, and it’s time to get with it. While I realize that De Villis worked for the company handling Obama’s campagin, the sentiment is still there: Do whatever you want, as long as it is exactly what I say.