Regarding technology and politics it goes in the opposite direction as my previous posts. Technology has actually helped and improved the way we see and act on politics. When or if something happens regarding the president, it's on every website, social media, or blog post in a flash. I think in this type we can depend on technology t keep us formally updated on what happens in the government, White House, or any kind of foreign affairs. "In the past two years, we've seen the transformative impact of the internet and cellular technology. Instead of a handful of news photographers hiding to capture images at Tiananmen Square, we now see millions of people in the street, cell phones in hand, taking increasingly high quality videos and photos of state oppression... In the book George Orwell prophesized that Big Brother would watch over us. Now it looks like we get to watch over Big Brother too" (Cohen, S). Specifically the World Wide Web has been a huge help when it comes to supporting political campaigns and donations made over the Internet. Overall the internet is so convenient for everything today and it's only going to get more advanced. "In the Obama presidential campaign here in the United States we saw another example of the transformative impact of the World Wide Web. According to Washington Post's Jose Antonio Vargas: '...3 million donors made a total of 6.5 million donations online adding up to more than $500 million. Of those 6.5 million donations, 6 million were in increments of $100 or less. The average online donation was $80, and the average Obama donor gave more than once'" (Cohen, S). 
Although the way candidates' campaign is nothing new, the internet and cell phones add a whole new level to political technology. Videos, interactive multimedia, and images are only a few of ways politicians try to use the internet to their advantage. "In addition to the images presented on the web, the internet allows people to quickly spread ideas, information and organize political protest. Information comes to the public and from the public as well" (Cohen, S).
I think in the next couple years when it's time to vote for the next president, candidates using all types of technology will be on a roll. It's about two years from now but a lot can happen in such a small window of time. "The staggering distribution numbers, through channels like iTunes, YouTube, or podcasting websites, indicate that technology could play a critical role in the upcoming elections... Technology appeals to a specific demographic: the affluent, the educated, and the young. And while YouTube may not sway the Grandparents in the crowd, the youngest voters are listening." (Housley, S). 'Does technology have the power to change the face of politics?' I believe in the next few years technology will be a number one priority when it comes to engaging our society to go for whoever's side. "The youth in America are not currently an active voting block, but the younger generation will age, and it's only a matter of time before technology plays a critical role in elections" (Housley, S).
Resources
Cohen, S. (2009, June 23). The Impact of Technology on Political Communication. Observer.com. Retrieved November 25, 2014 from http://www.observer.com/2009/06/the-impact-of-technology-on-political-communication/
Housley, S. N.D. The Influence of Technology on Politics. Feedforall.com. Retrieved November 25, 2014 from http://www.feedforall.com/influence-of-technology.htm
I think you took a very literal take on how politics mixes with technology and I could not agree with you more. All it takes is for one user to post an ugly photo of a politician with a nasty remark of how they screwed up and in the next couple hours it has been reblogged or retweeted a couple thousand times. Not only that the news media really watches for stories that have a high volume of retweets to draw in viewers on topics they find popular. Technology can really make or break a politicians changes of being voted for or being cast as an evil greedy man or woman. I think you also mentioned that a lot of the campaigning takes place on the Internet because it has become the number one go to for news and information.
ReplyDeleteKatana,
ReplyDeleteNice post. I agree that with the help of technology we are now always updated on the current politics. But I don't think so that this has all the positive aspects to it. It is true that technology can be used by politicians to influence other people but I think it can have some negative impacts as well. For example, If there is a false rumor about someone, the news still spreads like fire, and that could have some serious impacts depending on what the news is.
But other than that, I completely agree that technology is bound to play a significant role in the upcoming elections. Since voting online would be more feasible for many, it is likely that the number of people voting would increase too, which would be a great thing!
Hey Katana,
ReplyDeleteAs technology spreads worldwide, populations become more well informed and can become more involved with politics. Ever since the invention of simply tech toys, information that the government has hidden from its citizens has come to light. There is still information being revealed that its citizens are unaware of, but as tech increases, personal security decreases.
Hi Katana,
ReplyDeleteTechnology allows us to be informed of anything and everything. Social networking and websites like YouTube can bring us to the frontline of any battle and our voices to be heard. Your point in which you explain that politics should use technology to its full advantage is true. During the 2012 election, President Obama noticeably presented himself more in the internet than his opponent Mitt Romney. By doing this, President Obama was able to present his message to a broader audience. Personally, I think this is why he was able to snag the second term! Technology and the internet can be twisted to whatever we want it to do, it takes a little time and effort but your message is out there and it only takes a small group for it to become viral. Overall, great introspection into technology and politics!
I agree that the internet is going to play a big role in politics in the future. Though we do need to get the political representative educated on technology as most don't understand the principle of the internet and even less on how it works. The use of technology in election is going to be huge, TV networks charge ridiculous prices for ad space during those times but the internet is open and sense politicians can reach a larger audience with it, it makes sense to take advantage of it. Lets just hope net neutrality passes or the openness could fade.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very topical and interesting topic. I have often wondered and debated about the effects of slanted media on the general public. As a whole, I think that the media greatly sways the minds of people who don't take the inititiave to learn both or all sides of a situation. Because any advertisement, campaign ad or other media only tells one side of an argument people are often not aware of the other contributing factors.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I'd expect with new forms of media and new ways of getting to the individual person, that new ways of manipulating their mind would come as a result. This is especially interesting to me, being a Computer Science major and a Psychology minor. I've absolutely noticed certain agendas on YouTube and non-stop politicization of social networking sites. Newer technologies do indeed impact younger and less-experienced voters more than they have in the past, which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is everywhere, and in just a few years, the internet went from being unknown to one of the greatest things in the world. However, like you mentioned, there is a great downside to it. I for one am not too into politics, which I should change as I age closer to adulthood, and I do not like the being bombarded with political ads when I am trying to watch a music video perhaps. Plus many of the ads are bias, but with all the information on the internet, we are not sure what is exactly true and their reasons for it. By doing a wrong action, doesn't exactly mean the action was wrong because their intention may have been pure.
ReplyDeleteKatana,
ReplyDeleteTechnology like computers and phones is something that everybody uses, and it is a good resource to get ideas across to people. The internet has become one of the biggest resources that people use to acquire knowledge about any topic of their choice. Since so many people navigate through the internet it makes it a good resource for political leaders to get ideas across to the people. I believe that political leaders will always use the internet to persuade people to vote for them. It is also the job of people to be careful when navigating through the internet because not all the information is true.