Week 7 Reading

This next chapter in Convergence of Culture takes a look at how new media technologies are affecting the democratic process here in the U.S. and how it is creating new types of democracies online as well. Technology, of course, had always played a vital role in our elections. Before computers it was the printing press that allowed the information to circulate to a wider population. The same could be said about trains which allowed for candidates to travel all across the U.S. in relative ease, giving voters a chance to see and hear the candidates first hand.

Now there are now over 101 ways to reach voters online. An example of that is how John Kerry in the 2004 election sent out an email announcing his running mate before he did the traditional televised broadcast of the announcement. This allowed for the information to spread and stir interest before the more official announcement took place. This gave time for people to speculate on the reasons why he made that decision. This was then was picked up by the mainstream media giving Kerry some more publicity.

Now days there are even more ways for politicians to directly connect with the voters. In recent times Twitter has been a huge tool for lawmakers. Through its use they are able to communicate the moment to moment goings on of their office. From drafting legislation to voting on bills (healthcare being the primary example). The use of these technologies has made Washington D.C., as well as other legislative bodies, seems closer and more interactive.

I myself can see the politicians’ use of new media technologies every day. I am a fan of President Barak Obama on Facebook. I now receive regular updates on my Facebook page about key legislation that the president finds to be important (once again mainly on healthcare). I use Facebook literally every day and so do many other people, especially other college students. The use of this new type of social technology has allowed Obama to better connect with a demographic of voters who traditionally do not have a high voter turnout. It was Obama’s ability to connect with young voters in that allowed him to with the 2008 election.

Once again the book has highlighted how new technologies that are teaching children about real world ideas. Take for example the mayoral elections that took place in Sim’s City Alphavill. This program was originally meant as a game, but for some it was an accurate representation of a real democratic process. This is quite similar to sights such as the Daily Prophet and Sugar Quill mentioned in the last chapter as it actually encoruages children as well as adults to learn about and actual vital subjects that is integral to being a literate and informed citizens. This is necessary for a democratic process, because the more informed the public and the debaters are the more piercing and insightful the national discussion becomes.

The use of all these technologies creates a whole new facet to democracy in which anyone can participate in the discussion whether it is on Facebook, Twitter blogs, chartrooms, or message boards. Only through debate and discussion can we as a nation come to some form of consensuses or compromise.