During the dawn of America in the era around 200 years ago, it could take days, even weeks before people received word of who won the Presidential election.
Things are a bit different today, as super-computers, hive-mind algorithms, and social media predictive analysis can reveal the future success of movies, the likely winner of sporting events, and even the winner of distant elections based upon subtle, mundane trends hidden within the massive amounts of data circulating through the internetisphere constantly. Tiny bits of data compiled together can generate tremendous understanding. Even little emoticons can be used to tell the future.
Here’s a prediction from my own personal algorithm: whoever talks to me, explains things to me, and makes their actions transparent through social media gets my vote this year. You can take that prediction to the bank.
The Public Age
Some call it the Internet Age. Others call it the Communication Age. There are dozens of different “ages” we are supposedly experiencing right now. I prefer to look at it as “The Public Age”. Everything is going public. Our lives are public (whether we like it or not). Our actions, likes, dislikes, tendencies, whereabouts, goals, dreams, desires — over half of western society has a good chunk of their “personal” data floating in the aforementioned Internetisphere waiting for Google to index it and others to store it.
We’re public. There is no longer an excuse for anything other than complete transparency in government as well.
In a recent article on Mashable, Matt Silverman said:
As it stands, the social web is ripe with opportunities for candidates and office holders alike to connect with voters, foster transparency, and even spar with opponents in the same ways they have been in the traditional media for hundreds of years.
In other words, there are no more excuses.
We Can Track It
The days of broken campaign promises can be over. Social media allows for the most easily tracked and referenced political accountability platform ever conceived. A candidate or politician can state their goals, their plans, and their potential roadblocks in a place that everyone can see. Perhaps more importantly, we can interact with these concepts and voice our opinions.
I don’t want to watch television ads with patriotic music and waving flags. I don’t want radio messages with endorsements. I don’t want graphically manipulative, subliminally swaying newspaper or magazine advertisements. I wouldn’t see them anyway as I don’t watch television, listen to the radio, or read newspapers, but that’s not important.
I don’t even want to visit their website. Websites can change. They are controlled. Interaction isn’t truly public and can be manipulated. Opinions can be stifled. Good news can be highlighted and bad news can be buried…
… but this isn’t the case on social media.
Dear Man or Woman After My Vote
If you want my vote, show me that you want to hear me. Tell me that you want to show us what you’re doing it. Convince me that your ideas are correct. Give me the opportunity to express my concerns about your proposed actions.
In a world of billions and a nation of hundreds of millions, there is only one way to give me a voice that you can hear. Mr., Ms, or Mrs. Future Politician, it’s time for you to work from my world. Get social or get the heck out.
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This political opinion is likely supported by not necessarily backed or understood by the readers and fellow hosts of the Social Blade Show, a Social Media Show that broadcasts live Thursday nights at 7:00 pm Pacific.
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