One of the best panels I sat in on was Viral Videos and Social Networks: How Campaigning has Changed Forever, moderated by Fred Goldring, executive producer of the Yes We Can video and former Chairman of Rock the Vote. Will.I.Am himself was there to talk about the genesis of Yes we Can project along with Facebook’s Chris Kelly, Marc Morgenstern, Executive Director of Declare Yourself, and Max Berstein from Common Sense NMS Political Director.

I was interested for numerous reasons – it’s a long journey from inspiration, to artistic creation to actual social movement and Will.I.Am was was able to do it beautifully with the Yes We Can video and in only four days! Listening to him talk, it’s obvious why. There was no calculation behind the project, it was his honest response as an artist – every decision he made was guided by the hope he felt while listening to the speech. I video taped parts of the panel but it’s really hard to hear so here is a clip of an interview he did with ABC News that sums it up pretty nicely.

The one thing Will.IAm did make especially clear is that he wants this hope and enthusiasm to continue after the election, no matter who is elected. He has launched a site, HopeActChange.com. Check it out.

Also, takepart at Rock the Vote to learn how you can mobilize others in this election.