As I continue to work through the technology exercises and read through several blogs and social media sites I can't help but to think how much time is wasted through social media v how much useful information is put out through social media. What is it that we look for by using these sites? Is it just the facts that are easiest to find at the tip of our fingers, or is it crucial to how our political world revolves?
On a recent campaign I had the control of the candidates Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook page where I exposed events and stops made along the campaign trial. Soon I came to realize it was not only me that was always on my phone posting pictures and updates- but literally everyone we met with was doing the same, asking about what hashtags to use, or simply boasting about how many views, shares and likes. We used this information to not only gauge popularity, but to increase fundraising numbers, or to even act as a public invitation. Even when I was taking a picture of myself and my candidate, another reporter snapped a picture of us taking a picture to then post it on twitter. Social media has become and outlet of every step political operatives take of each long and telling day. I then took my experience and decided to see how the internet reacts to social medias involvement with politics.
On an informative piece politico posted titled "How Social Media IS Ruining Politics" it tells about how we thrive on posts, and that popularity based on candidates is now based on social media- not about the actual policies or standings of a candidate. The article continues on to make the point that there were only two other times where politics have shifted in major ways where it has transformed elections. Once in the 1920's and once in the 1960's. In both instances it focusses on types of social media, or what would be considered social media back then. The 1920's thrived on radio, that some would argue disembodied candidates. The 1960's gave candidates air time on TV, getting into more sound bites and an image of an ideal candidate. Both correlate to focussing on characteristics of candidates that are more about reactions than about stances, or policy.
In an article written by a research group at South University the critical need for social media on political campaigns is explained in depth. The one line that stood out to me was "Political campaigns connect with voters." It goes on to read that even though candidates don't directly reply to voters questions, candidates still use mass social media to get messaging out- it contacts voters quickly and at a very low cost.
This is where we have failed. I am sick of hearing how this election cycle is so messed up, and questioning the final 5 who are battling it out with less manors than a untrained house dog. We had the chance to make a change, we had the chance to make a difference, and we put all of our faith into social media. Something so unreliable and biased that even we are upset with how things have happened. Looking forward I believe it is not just social medias unwavering effect on people, but our ability to listen to everything that is online before actually digging for facts. Social media is at this point inevitable to our political practices- it is in this we must use them as a tool that helps us advance, rather than a way to argue our political points because its what was on a trending news feed.
http://source.southuniversity.edu/political-campaigns-and-social-media-tweeting-their-way-into-office-106986.aspx
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/2016-election-social-media-ruining-politics-213104
2 comments:
Like you, I am also taken aback by the role social media plays in politics. I used to think politics was a formal arena, but now it seems more childish than ever. It does give candidates a way to enter the lives of every voter (or even people not eligible to vote) at any time of day, but there is a thing as too much and I believe the modern world's activity on social media is overwhelming. Good analysis and I really liked how you used your own experience.
Ya i read the article, definitely an interesting thing to read. It's amazing to see how much the world and politics have changed over the years. Social media has been a real game changer in the past few years. It definitely offers the everyday person to get a better understanding of the candidate i feel though, a more informed voter is a better voter. The amount of garbage you see today on it, even in politics is ridiculous, hopefully in years to come our candidates can focus the pros rather then the cons when using social media.
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