Collective Emotions on the Obama Win

by Sam on November 5, 2008

I found the following data fascinating:

This is a screen shot from WeFeelFine, an “exploration of human emotion� created by Jonathan Harris. In my opinion, such data is the future of the web; a real time snapshot of how people are feeling, being and living.

So what emotions were people feeling this morning at 9am EST, following Barack Obama’s historic Presidential win? ‘Peaceful’ at 45.9 times normal levels and ‘Hopeful’ at 43.7 times normal.

Pretty neat! It’s a proud day for many Americans including myself.

You might also enjoy my posts on Information Day Trading and Information Sifting. Also be sure to check out my analysis of We Feel Fine as a real-time search engine

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  • Yeah. i have to agree on what you mentioned that those data are the future of the web. I just wonder how much of the people are feeling tired of living and so. there is so much to be amazed at especially when it comes to emotions.

    Well, about the feleing of the people about Barack's Presidential win, perhaps, it is just by now that they are feeling so. Many more days to come, let's see.
  • Hey George...true, we'll check back in in March! The honeymoon will be over by that point
  • I love this kind of numerical representation of gathered answers from people. :D
  • SS
    Strange screenshot: country and personal aren't emotions?! The website is strange and fascinating (but a bit boring).

    I like the idea you're presenting though. Peaceful is satisfying.
  • Boring! Wow, that would be the last adjective I'd use to describe
    WeFeelFine...I do agree that while the interface is beautiful and
    impressive it can be hard to navigate and quickly gather data from.
    That said, the intention is art and not analysis.

    Peaceful is certainly good!
  • Wow. First black president on the white house ! :)
  • While it's possible that the emotions of people online at the time of Obama's win differed from those of people who were offline at that time, this tool probably does paint a pretty accurate picture of the situation.

    I'm with ya - I'm also an American feeling quite grateful and proud at this time for the great strides our country has made (or baby steps, at least). I hope Obama is our century's Lincoln.
  • Are some of those really feelings? The website is pretty interesting though - nice interface etc.
  • Rob
    Really fascinating exploration of human emotions. Wonder how they get those data.
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