…a long interesting night it has been…following live-streams on ZDF and CNN, commenting with friends on Facebook and following live-blogs and Twitter. It is amazing. History has happened today…! A year ago I was in New York and already, back then, you could see and feel that the U.S. was tired of the Bush-Administration. Now, finally, change has come — and what a change! Barack Obama is the first African-American president of the USA. It was just amazing to watch the election, and to  see people gathering together all across the US — people of different races, ages, genders, etc.– celebrating the hope they have in Mr. Obama, the change, and the new USA. It is amazing to see, that a lot of the votes came from young people — first-time voters…a generation which gathered, campaigned, and communicated mostly on the web and in social networks…Some analysts already say that the way of using the internet changed the face of the campaign and the election. It appears to be true, considering the surge in internet campaign fund-raising, the constant blogging, the exchange of information and personal opinions on Facebook and other social network sites. The young generation doesn’t have to meet in person, or go on the streets like they did in the 60s and 70s … the street is the internet, and it acts way more powerful, faster, direct, global and — most importantly — more personal and individual… just an amazing night!

Next week I will be going to the States again … I am already looking forward to it — it’s gonna be different!