"The Predominant use of Internet and modern communication technologies is not as a vehicle for direct action. it is to support and organize offline actions and to form (new) movements and organizations. The first occurs when established movements integrate the mass communication potenetial of the internet into their established repertoire of devices..."(pg.10)
I mean I agree that established movements can and NEED to integrate this new and incredibly useful tool of online socia media, and the internet. However, I think in this day and age movement are occuring COMPLETELY online. We dont have to have a movement like the WTO in seattle...I think it does so much more than "support and organize offline actions" and it IS a vehicle for direct action. Obama's online campaign DIRECTLY caused people to vote (aka ACT) anddd the internet isn't just about this whole offline action things. Look at all the money he(Obama) raised totally ONLINE. I consider that being a movement itself essentially.
Agree? Yes, no, maybe so?
It's an interesting point, Maxie. My guess is that Postmes would respond like this: Yes, Obama did raise a lot of money using various Internet tools. but this was a device to get people engaged in his campaign, i.e., to work for him by getting out his message(s), volunteering at campaign headquarters, etc. Of course, this is all around the act of voting but it requires a small army of people to provide the infrastructure to get out the vote, activities which occur mostly offline. To put it another way, if only people who gave money to Obama voted, he would never have been elected.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think the most interesting part of Obama and the Internet was his use of social networking, YouTube, and other devices to mobilize a movement around his candidacy. Every politician in the future is going to do the same thing. And that, I think, probably fits with Postmes' point. Yes?
You can also look at this from a PR or marketing perspective. In politics, the issues are one thing; getting one's name, face, and merchandise "out there" is another thing completely.
ReplyDeleteCatalyzing a group's ability and speed to mobilize via the Internet engages people; their actions are predicated by the level of their involvement with Obama (his campaign team) and his cause.
Are the issues a major factor? For some, yes. For others, Obama has become an icon and a being they are so convinced is true that many would follow him blindly wherever. That may or may not be a good thing, but I have to say he inspires a sense of trust and security in me.
Just my two cents...