There is an iron law in American politics: The party that most quickly absorbs and adopts the latest technology dominates politics. FDR dominated the radio through the fireside chat; JFK triumphed over Nixon in televised debates; Republicans rose to power on talk radio; and Karl Rove mastered the use of direct mail and computerized databases. The next technological political model will revolve around the power of community and individual uploading. In this model, the public officeholder will no longer be the one who promises to solve the problems of the many. Rather, he or she will become a hub of connectivity for the many to work with the many, creating networks of public advocates to identify problems, solve them, and get behind candidates who are ready to mobilize the government and the people in the right direction."
The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century,
Release 2.o, by Thomas Friedman
My son's football practice has a striking view of downtown Denver from the outlying suburbs. As I looked across it this afternoon, I couldn't but help think about the above paragraph knowing that the DNC started today. So where are each of these presidential candidates at in terms of absorbing and adopting technology? Is there one ahead of the other? Will the iron law whisper a winner's name?Never having "felt the need to email", McCain openly admits to his computer ignorance and reliance on his wife for tech assistance as seen in an earlier interview with Yahoo/Politico. I can hardly fathom this. In this day and age, a political candidate not really understanding the power of the ever interactive Web? Wow. Unless, of course, there's money to be raised thru it. Then it might get a casual head-nod. But if that is as far as you can see using this incredible medium, then the boat's been missed.
Our country has no national broadband policy, to the worry of many tech experts. This is the same broadband that is quickly becoming a mainstay for education, for how we communicate, and most importantly, for how we conduct our work day. If it's digital, it's ubiquitous. McCain did recently release a technology policy, but I cringe when I read...
John McCain is uniquely qualified to lead our nation during this technological revolution. He is the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The Committee plays a major role in the development of technology policy, specifically any legislation affecting communications services, the Internet, cable television and other technologies. Under John McCain’s guiding hand, Congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to surf the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park."
He's the same man that doesn't know how to use email! How can you understand the immense power of this thing we call Web 2.0 if you don't use it? It' not about being able to surf at coffee shops or the airport. Here's what it is really about:
Democracy in America is changing...Networked voices are reviving the civic conversation. More people, every day, are discovering this new power. After years of being treated like passive subjects of marketing and manipulation, they want to be heard. Members expect a say in the decision-making process of the organizations they join. Readers want to talk back to the news-makers. Citizens are insisting on more openness and transparency from government...Personal democracy, where everyone is a full participant, is coming."
Manifesto of http://www.personaldemocracy.com/
Does Obama's side get it? We have 120 credentialed DNC bloggers this election compared to a measly 30 credentialed bloggers in 2004. That's an improvement to take note of, but wait. Don't give the credit to the organizers of the DNC. According to Micah Sifry,
Not only are these gatherings (the DNC) still completely geared for television … they're designed for television circa 1990," Sifry said. "Think of it: All they need to do is put up a big banner behind the speakers each night saying, 'Join the conversation -- go to https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/JoinUs or http://www.rnc.org/ and set up an interface to involve people in live chats by state or ZIP code.' State delegations could be enlisted to participate."
Those who understand this medium, the users, are making it happen. Not a party, the people. There will be many in the days ahead that will continue to participate as never before via the Web. The word is politics are no longer a spectator sport. But still, wouldn't it be nice to have a nominee that really gets this?
Image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Denver_Downtown.jpg; Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0
There are times where I feel, while working with politicians, that I am speaking to a wall. While they are present for the conversation, they still do the same function day in and day out. No change. That is how it is with technology. They know it costs money to make it right, so they do not want that to come back on them. They need more money to spend more. Or, they could find the wasteful things in the budget and re-appropriate it. Nah, that would piss off the heavy donors.
ReplyDeleteSee my post on this same subject:
http://scottsfloyd.edublogs.org/2007/12/02/oh-no-he-didnt/
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Now, I look forward to your take on what you felt about the RNC and tech.
Well, every day I either care about our presidential election or I don't, and every day I either care about the topic they try to describe, or I don't. And usually, and honestly, I don't. But when it comes to technology, I can say that my full attention can be diverted to the subject.
ReplyDeleteYes, every day our technology is expanding. Actually, scientists have admitted that our technology doubles every four years. Fewer and fewer people don't have access to the internet, and fewer and fewer people are found without cell phones. This means that we need to find more and more candidates for our presidency that are updated on our technological status and will help to fulfill our evergrowing long for it.
Technology is our world, the world is at our hands.
I often feel like politics make no sense. They argue and worry about the things that have the slightest bit of meaning in the world, or election.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the president will need to have knowledge about technology when he is elected because most of the time that’s how he communicates with people.
The canadites need to think about what they say, and do because it’s affecting the outcome of the election.
I am sick and tired of hearing about the 2008 Presidential Election. Its all I hear at home on the TV. "McCain is leading in this poll by 3%" or "Obama is trailing by 2%." And then have to come to school to hear more about it. The other day in math, one of my classmates asked the teacher who they are voting for. I kept thinking, "why do you care who he is voting? that is a personal and private opinon!" Another thing I cant stand about the presidential election is my fellow students arguing about who would be a better president or who is going to win. It is getting so very, very old so very very fast. I just want to get the election over with. I don't see what the big deal about voting if our votes don't even count. The people don't elect the president; the electoral college does. Can you say pointless!!?? Oh well, whatever say doesn't matter anyways. Since I am not able to vote, my opinion has no meaning. I am very fond of Sarah Palin though...she is a bright woman and I think she can handle anything that the campaign or even possible the vice-presidency. I can't believe that Obama wants to leagalize abortion and kill innocent babies that will never get to see the light of day. I am also getting sick and tired of people commenting about how they will vote for Barack Obama just because he is Black. He is not Black, that is just the color of his skin because his ancestors were Black meaning that he is not really Black. He is a muslum and no good can come from that in Washington D.C.
ReplyDeleteJamie, Olivia and Sarah -
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I really understand when you say, "the election is getting so old". As of late, you can't turn around without getting bombarded with an ad (often very negative) or commentary. But, nonetheless, I am so grateful that we live in a democracy and can participate. I take it from what all of you have said, that you must be students. When you have time, watch this video called "Shift Happens". After you view it, perhaps you will see why I think we need presidential leadership who really gets where the world of technology is going. Would love to hear back from you regarding what you think about all of this.
(copy and paste the address below into your browser)
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=799aaa845e1c2e8a762b
Sarah -
ReplyDeleteI was reading the ending of your comment one more time. What specifically do you mean when you say that "He is a Muslim and no good can come from that in Washington D.C."? Can you back this up with fact? Does he associate with this religion or another religion? Also, tell me more about what you mean by no good can come of this in Washington D.C.
Technology is something we live with to get by in the world. It never use to be that way but it is now and its one of our sources. During presidential elections i dont usually pay any attention, because its boring and it seems like its a bunch of talk but never gets resolved.
ReplyDeleteEvery single day more technology is discovered and produces something bigger and better rather than what our society already has. To be able to use a lot of this technology it may take a genius. A lot of elderly people in our society don't know how to use the internet, don't know how to use a cell phone, so more candidates who have been taught need to help others, so that way later in life our system of technology will keep growing.
The Prseidential debate can be a interesting topic and a uninteresting topic, if you like listing to people argue over who is better than you arent me. In my opinion Obama is useing his color to get him in office rather than hisknowledge. Mcain is a good canidate and if he can trun a computer that si ok to there are enough people in the White house who can. Yea they may need some, but how often does the preident actually do somthing for himself? Mc Cain is a war hero, what has barack obama done?? Technology is creating who our young people are. Technology is a major part of our society and we are in charge of it. That doesnt mean our lives depend on it. People are to dependant on technology!!
ReplyDeleteI dont like to talk about politics. I dont like hearing about them. I dont care about them. People do what they want whether someone tells them its okay or not. I think that its childish to argue about who is going to win. People are entitled to their own opinion and it shouldnt matter what other people have to say about it. Im in high school and I hear other kids arguing about politics and they cant even vote yet. The most I hear about is how either McCain is too old or how Obama is black. To me, it doesnt matter. I personally dont care about age or race. As long as they are responisble enough to run our country without making the country poor and miserable, then Ill be just fine. Im 15 years old. I hate politics. They are pointless to me. Fight with me about it all you want, I really wont care.
ReplyDeleteI believe that everything that is said hear is true. And thats pretty bad if you ask me. Everyones basing the wiiner of the election whether of not they know how to use tech. I mean come on people! Thats not all that matters.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm just a little curious on how can McCain play a major role in the development of techonlogy policy if he doesn't even know how to use it? It just doesn't make sense. All I do know is that I want this election to be done and over with so everyone can calm. I get why everyone is all excited about it and everything but seriously, all you hear in their campaigns is why their opponent isn't as qualified as they are. If all the adds you see on TV about the politicians are true you'd think they would all be in jail by now, wouldn't you? Its just so annoying.
i think politics are stupid because i am only 15 i really do not care about that kind of stuff right now. they are pointless and i do not understand half of the stuff that they are talking about half of the time. and i really do not care who wins the election because i think the congress will just pick who they want to win anyways. so that is basically all i think about politics.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if Barrack Obama is more technically inclined than John Mcain is, or vice versa. To me technology is a very useful tool, if you know how to use it. If you don't know how to use it then you will just have to get by without it. If the president ends up being John Mcain, who isn't very good with computers, then he can have someone else deal with the technology. He's the president, he can hire the most brilliant man in the world to take care of the technology. That is why it doesn't matter to me if the next president is good at using computers or not.
ReplyDeleteThe 2008 presidential election is all that you hear now a days and it is getting really tiring. I mean the candidates do have to keep up with today’s technology. I really don't care for the elections and I doubt I ever will. Would we the people really want someone to be our president that doesn't even know how to send a simple email? Or do you want someone that is younger and is caught up with today’s technology? But really it doesn’t matter if they know how to use something or not they have all those people to help them in the White House. What the people really need right now is someone who will get things done. We need someone who will take action and make the World the best they can.
ReplyDeleteJust because tecnology is taking over our world and some people don't know how to use them doesn't meen they can't do their jobs. It's knowledge and years of experience that will take people further than any tecnology could. McCain for instanse has experienced the depression and many wars throughout his years has Obama? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! His people were the ones who started this last "WAR". I tired of the media pumping one side of the election up and not the other. If yout gonna talk about one side talk about the other too.
ReplyDeleteJBlack...
ReplyDeleteI am a computer teacher and am teaching my students about blogging at this moment. I chose your blog because it was relevant to both the times and the subject matter. I am currently having my students read and post to teach them about using this type of technology in a useful and civilized manner.
I would like to thank you and apologize at the same time. Some of the comments from the students were constructed well, but some are more of a way to get an assignment completed than putting deep thought or feeling into typed word. This is a great Blog and topic, and I appreciate you commenting back to some of the students. If it is ok with you I am going to continue having the students comment and read what they have posted (along with your questions of some of their posts). Hopefully it will open their minds and thoughts, as well as teach them proper ways to express themselves without defaming or degrading anyone. I think this will be a tremendous teaching tool, and one that I can use to make the students more worldly.
Continue with the blogs and the posts. I really like the stuff that I am reading. Also, I love the "Shift Happens" movie. I have watched the original and the 2.0 version (updated). It is amazing what has been, and will continue to, happen around the world.
Thanks.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://www.thetreadmillguide.com