The Coming Digital Presidency 464
Ranjit Mathoda writes "Marc Andreeson, the cofounder of Netscape, met Senator Barack Obama in early 2007. Mr. Andreeson recalls, "In particular, the Senator was personally interested in the rise of social networking, Facebook, Youtube, and user-generated content, and casually but persistently grilled us on what we thought the next generation of social media would be and how social networking might affect politics — with no staff present, no prepared materials, no notes. He already knew a fair amount about the topic but was very curious to actually learn more." As a social organizer and a lover of new technologies, Mr. Obama could be expected to make good use of such tools in getting elected, and he has done so. What may not be as obvious is that Mr. Obama appears to have a keen interest in using such technologies in the act of governing. And whether Mr. Obama becomes president, or Mrs. Clinton or Mr. McCain do, these new tools have the potential to transform how government operates."
Re:Digital Presidency? more like FARKING SPAMMER (Score:5, Informative)
Re:What's the REAL significance of any of this? (Score:4, Informative)
The truth is, the internet is simply far too easy to marginalize. THAT is the cautionary tale. To win in politics you need the support of CBS, Fox News, CNN, the New York Times, and the like. Forget YouTube. It may as well actually be a water slide for all the impact it actually has on anything - today.
The political realm is still well in the hands of the digital immigrants. Perhaps in another iteration or two we'll get to see the impact of what those digital natives can do, but I some how doubt it. Until the mass-media can find a viable way of controlling the tubes, they will always be dissonant against its message. And frankly folks, Joe Sixpack still doesn't trust what he reads about online more than he does the idiot box.
Bad Summary line. (Score:3, Informative)
It should be (as stated in TFA), "And whether Mr. Obama becomes president, or Mrs. Clinton or Mr. McCain do, these new tools have the potential to transform how a government of the People, by the People and for the People communicates and operates."
Kind of a big difference there.
Re:Which is why Obama won't have my vote (Score:4, Informative)
[...]
Obama values our First Amendment freedoms and our right to artistic expression and does not view regulation as the answer to these concerns. Instead, an Obama administration will give parents the tools and information they need to control what their children see on television and the Internet in ways fully consistent with the First Amendment.
[...]
Safeguard our Right to Privacy
[...]
To ensure that powerful databases containing information on Americans that are necessary tools in the fight against terrorism are not misused for other purposes, Barack Obama supports restrictions on how information may be used and technology safeguards to verify how the information has actually been used.
[...]
Protect the Openness of the Internet
A key reason the Internet has been such a success is because it is the most open network in history. It needs to stay that way. Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.
Re:That's cool, and yet not (Score:5, Informative)
How about one which encourages government officials to give people information about themselves? [slashdot.org]
He's talking about doing basically the opposite of what you (and others) seem to be assuming. And it is one of the cooler ideas I have seen in awhile -- one which none of the other candidates seem to have caught on to.
Re:A bit presumptuous, no? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:A bit presumptuous, no? (Score:3, Informative)
Also, if you feel your opinion is being left out of the process, then join the process. Find your local events. I'd suggest trying to get people to support Instant Runnoff voting, so that Greens and Libertarians can gain some footing in this nation.
*I am neither in full support nor fully against abortion. However, making a 100% no-abortions law is not the solution to that debate.
Re:What's the REAL significance of any of this? (Score:4, Informative)
If anyone ever read the Constitution anymore, or even was knowledgeable about history (NOT the pseudo history that's taught in our government propaganda indoctrination camps - aka; public schools), all the crooks and CFR [wikipedia.org] shills (including Obama) that have committed treason against the United States Constitution and against "We The People" by trying to rule us instead of representing us, would have been hanged long ago. Unfortunately, ignorance of history and of the founding of our Republic, and even belief in religious fairy tales about gods and other superstitions all overwhelming predominate over reason, even here on SlashDot.
The name's Andreessen (Score:3, Informative)
Netscape cofounders is pretty high on the "how to look like an idiot on
His name's Andreessen, Marc Andreessen [wikipedia.org].
Re:A bit presumptuous, no? (Score:4, Informative)
In short, the church didn't tell anyone to hate Whitey, and certainly not every week. Which means that there was really nothing to get so offended about you'd have to walk out. Not to mention that the Church is a good chunk of your community. You attend church to participate in your community. Switching church means switching community. It's just not as easy as a lot of people make it sound like.
Re:Fuck. (Score:3, Informative)
In a news mag I read on a flight recently {can't remember which one, THINK it was dated 'round Mar. 8th... hope another /.er can help here...} They had a graph showing the amount of experience every president since Washington had before taking the office of President. Check Lincoln, for example. As a freshman in Congress, popped off at the mouth and really pissed off his constituents. Felt he had to quit. Went back to law practice, ran for President as an underdog in 1860. Won. Bet you know the rest... [wikipedia.org]