The American President...

Hey everyone,

Thought I'd start my six weeks of entries here, as I had a thought about this weeks lecture (online political activism, from Christina), while I was in the shower :> This may have been brought on more by the fact that I've been watching a lot of The West Wing lately. Best show ever.

Anyway, I had a thought. I predict that, sometime in the next twenty to thirty years, we will see an elected ruler, in America, who does not belong to a major party (Democrat or Republican).

Why only in America? Because their voting system isnt dependant on parties. Here in Australia, the Prime Minister is the leader of the party which wins the most seats, but in America, they vote for local politicians AND for who should be the leader of the country.

So, in theory, anyone could be president. Why hasnt it happened yet? Because it takes millions and millions of dollars to run for president, and big business only back candidates from major parties. However, what is that money for? Primarily its for travelling shows, AND for purchasing time on media such as radio and television.

But, the future of media is not radio or television. Its the Internet. And on the Internet, anyone can buy time, broadcast messages, communicate with the people. America, without compulsory voting, has a low voter turnout, but what if, in the future, someone ran for president, broadcasting messages on the Internet, communicating with common people, encouraging those that had not voted before due to apathy to now register their vote for him, or even her? I believe that person could become president. And it's something I'd like to see.

Of course, online political activism isnt quite at that stage yet. Meikle states "...Lacking an institutional centre, and operating on diverse, often hard-to-measure scales, the impacts of media activism are difficult to establish" and quotes Coudry in saying that "alternative media practise is 'messy' ". However he also points out Tactical Media and Intercreativity as methods which online activists currently use, and could continue to expand such in the future...

Anyway, added links to the West Wing site, and also to the Boat People site discussed in the lecture, everyone should check it out, its a fascinating read. Also added a link to Michelle Manners because she said Hello, and I like rewarding politeness :>