This week we studied about politics and social media. I found this topic very interesting yet infuriating but that's mostly because some of the politics rubbed me the wrong way. I do have to say while interesting, I found some of the links that we were supposed to read as not very reliable resources. I believe one was someone's blog and while it's great to hear their opinion, however educated it may be, unless they are known as an expert or are associated in some way to a news outlet then I do not believe they are credible. There were a couple of links from the New York Times which I found to be very well written articles and credible. I believe that social media will continue to be used but it runs into the risk of becoming too impersonal. I believe that it needs to be well balanced. There must be some social media usage and some "old school" usage for people to really connect to someone, a blog and a website just isn't going to do it. I am a younger American and I did not utilize Twitter or Facebook for the 2008 election and I expect that I am receiving information that way that the president receives the opinion of his voters that way as well. That has not seemed to have been the case with Obama's forum that he set up so he could "hear" his voters. I do think it is good though because it has brought in the young Americans to vote and feel like their voice matters and I believe that is the best thing to come out of this social media push.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc2008115_988160.htm
http://www.promotionworld.com/se/articles/article/081027SocialMediaandthe2008Election.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBzjRdEMjEU
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Amanda Week 7 post
Posted by Amanda at 2:38 PM
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3 comments:
Amanda,
I agree with you regarding reliability of sources. When I am researching a topic, I look for something from a nationally recognized newspaper, magazine, or news channel. I believe them to be more credible as well.
According to thetartan.org, the 2008 Presidential election was "the second largest youth voter movement in American history." http://thetartan.org/2008/11/10/news/elections
I'm sure the use of social media by the candidates helped make this happen. Whatever the reason, it is good to see so many young people interested in politics.
Posted by Ande Gibbs
The use of sources on the Internet are true for ANY research. The use of various platforms, be it Internet and social media, or TV and Radio, there is a certain demographic that they apply to. Obviously a younger demographic is going to be reached with social media and the Internet. I wouldn't expect my grandmother, while she does use Facebook to communicate with people, to be a targeted demographic of online advertising by a Presidential campaign. It's all about who you are trying to reach.
I think that we are beginning to see older generations starting to use the internet for political purposes. The rise of the tea party and the followers of Sarah Palin seem like they are eager to follow their views online. As the Republican party becomes younger, the more their voice will be seen online. 2008 was a case of liberal leaning voters being trailblazers, which probably came from having a younger candidate.
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