techPresident - You Can Run, But You Can't Hide - Comments

Ron Paul doesn't....

rtester — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:52:02 -0400

...run or hide! That's my response to this. Maybe you don't see him as a "leading candidate," but if you knew the fact that he won 2 straw polls this past weekend by LANDSLIDE proportions(in New Hampshire 73% and Alabama 81%), you might realize what is sweeping across America.....the Ron Paul Revolution! It's based on honesty, transparency, authenticity, and FREEDOM.....and by the way, YouTube is a big part of it, as you can clearly see from the statistics on this website. He never shied away from the CNN-YouTube debate you mentioned, as his "leading candidate" Republican counterparts did, and he has many, many more YouTube views and subscribers than any other candidate, Dem or Rep! No, the only "running" Dr. Paul is doing is for the presidency, and he definitely isn't doing any hiding.

I love your conclusion

cfinnie — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:41:21 -0400

I hope this increase in visibility will lead to candidates who realize that "being themselves instead of being controlled might help them better connect with voters." That's what drew so many of us to Howard Dean. However, I doubt too many of today's politicians have forgotten how much one unscripted "Yeah" cost his campaign less than 4 years ago. How much spin the media put on an essentially accurate 4-year-old interview from Canada about how easy it would be to manipulate the Iowas caucuses. Having been there in 2004, I could really see all the things he talked about and how they could be used just as he said. I also saw how it hurt him.

I would truly like to believe we're moving in the direction you and Gibson posit. But 2004 isn't so far in the past that many candidates are likely to forget it yet.

Invert that panopticon

Josh Koenig — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:39:58 -0400

It's a bit of a horserace at the moment, whether information technology will have a net liberating or oppressive effect. Our people jump at their own shadows and China scares the crap out of me on this stuff, but I'm still optimistic.

None can conceive of a world where being "always on" is anything but a dangerous trap, where being themselves instead of being controlled might help them better connect with voters.

Any articulation of this idea runs the risk of sounding like some kind of starry-eyed hippy jive-talk, but I really think that our ability to deal with most of the crushingly complex problems we're facing pivots on whether or not we can actually be honest with one another. A big part of that is getting past the overt kabuki that passes for most political debate. Here's hoping.

Information Wants to Be Free

Alan Rosenblatt — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:35:34 -0400

Gibson's response is a nice logical extension of his original Neuromancer thme, "information wants to be free."

I agree the truth with come out. That is why in this YouTube world, where we are all under the watchful eye of cameras and wiretaps, authenticity trumps the scripted campaign. People want candidates to speak from their hearts and minds. If they don't, they will be outed.

Also, Micah, I am happy to see you correctly spelled Condoleeeeeeezzzzzza. (I wish I could).

Alan Rosenblatt
Executive Director, Internet Advocacy Center
AKA DrDigiPol (drdigipol.com)

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide

Micah L. Sifry — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:02:20 -0400

What do William Gibson, George Orwell, Karl Rove, Chris Shays, Wikipedia and the rise of YouTube have to do with each other? Browsing today's news offerings, I find a connection.