I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.
If you’re lucky enough to live in America – or its unofficial crown jewel, Canada – and you’re reading this blogzine online, you’ve probably already been hit by an internet campaign ad or cartoon for the 2004 election.
Yes, if you’re like millions of Americans, you’ve experienced massive campaigning on-line for both George “The War’s Going Really Well, Honest” Bush and John “Look At My Really Cool Medals” Kerry. And, uh, Ralph Nader. These ads run the gamut from little games about Kerry’s policies to extended, free videos staring movie stars poking fun at the president.
The symptoms of these ads include
· Spin that misrepresent the other candidate.
· Appeals to emotions rather than actual logic.
· Poorly drawn and animated characters.
· Strange analogies for policies.
· Use of the word “flip-flop” way too much.
If you’ve seen any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately and see if unplugging your computer is right for you.
But what’s so bad about this? What’s the big deal? Many of those problems are present in the normal television ads. So what’s the difference between an ad on TV and an ad, game or political cartoon on the internet?
The problem is that many of these campaign bits rely far more on being flashy or cool than they do actually backing up their claims. Furthermore, unlike a TV ad, it’s possible for something on the internet to spread to every user in the world. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s scary as hell. If a link gets popular, suddenly everyone has it. There are no extra funding rules. There are no magical Internet Laws saying that there must be equal space allotted on the web for both sides to campaign with. Hell, candidates don’t even have to put their stamp of approval on an internet ad attacking the other guy since being anonymous is easy.
What’s the deal? Is anyone going to even say something?
Well, to get to the point rather late, that’s what I’m here for. I’m here to take a cynical – both sides are idiots, bastards, unpatriotic, take your pick – look at the use of the internet in the 2004 Presidential Campaign. We’re living in a world where spin arrives at light speed. I’ll help you wade through all of it on this beautiful curse known as the Internet.
I’m Mike Drucker and I approve this message.
If you’re lucky enough to live in America – or its unofficial crown jewel, Canada – and you’re reading this blogzine online, you’ve probably already been hit by an internet campaign ad or cartoon for the 2004 election.
Yes, if you’re like millions of Americans, you’ve experienced massive campaigning on-line for both George “The War’s Going Really Well, Honest” Bush and John “Look At My Really Cool Medals” Kerry. And, uh, Ralph Nader. These ads run the gamut from little games about Kerry’s policies to extended, free videos staring movie stars poking fun at the president.
The symptoms of these ads include
· Spin that misrepresent the other candidate.
· Appeals to emotions rather than actual logic.
· Poorly drawn and animated characters.
· Strange analogies for policies.
· Use of the word “flip-flop” way too much.
If you’ve seen any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately and see if unplugging your computer is right for you.
But what’s so bad about this? What’s the big deal? Many of those problems are present in the normal television ads. So what’s the difference between an ad on TV and an ad, game or political cartoon on the internet?
The problem is that many of these campaign bits rely far more on being flashy or cool than they do actually backing up their claims. Furthermore, unlike a TV ad, it’s possible for something on the internet to spread to every user in the world. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s scary as hell. If a link gets popular, suddenly everyone has it. There are no extra funding rules. There are no magical Internet Laws saying that there must be equal space allotted on the web for both sides to campaign with. Hell, candidates don’t even have to put their stamp of approval on an internet ad attacking the other guy since being anonymous is easy.
What’s the deal? Is anyone going to even say something?
Well, to get to the point rather late, that’s what I’m here for. I’m here to take a cynical – both sides are idiots, bastards, unpatriotic, take your pick – look at the use of the internet in the 2004 Presidential Campaign. We’re living in a world where spin arrives at light speed. I’ll help you wade through all of it on this beautiful curse known as the Internet.
I’m Mike Drucker and I approve this message.
posted by Mike Drucker at 11:40 AM
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