Communicative Capitalism-Jodi Dean

The chapter exudes an unconventional perspective of the internet and usefulness. I found the chapter to be extremely insightful, as it gave me a chance to view the internet as I had never done before.

The internet is a great facility to enhance democracy and individual participation in politics, only if the thoughts and voices of different people are posed properly, with organization and clarity, through a website that is recognized by the state and government, a website that has legitimacy. Jodi Dean hits the nail on the head when stating " it is (the internet) depoliticizing because the form of our involvement ultimately empowers those it is supposed to resist". It is understandable to rave about the internet, as it is a revolutionary tool that has made the world a smaller and more proximate, and made communication much faster and efficient. But coming back to politics, it is true that our little contributions that we think have added something to our cause, whatever it maybe, is inconsequential in the grander scheme of things. This is because your input in whatever form maybe, is not acknowledged and stacked in a folder which comprises of all views similar to yours, and is not then presented to the powers that be so your views have an impact as one, your view is just another of the trillions circulating on the internet, being as futile as can be. It must be conceded, that our inputs in the internet are like fish in a fish bowl, going round and round but not achieving anything. The only thing which can be attributed that whirlpool of data is that it is a spectrum of perpectives that are there, just there.

Also, another vital point of the chapter is of the 'commodification of the internet'. The websites encouraging participation, or so we think, are superficial and present such an image, but in actuality are engaged in " financially mediated and professionalized practices, centered on advertising, public relatios ,and the means of mass communication". Thus, instead of empowering the people, this leads to depolitcization and giving the people a false sense of power and hope.

Finally, the amalgamation of ideas is hindered by communicative capitalism. The idea of 'post politics' explains well as how each individual's view remains as an 'independent and individual' view, and thus "matters are not represented-they don't stand for something beyond themselves".

I personally learned immensely from the chapter, and found it difficult to disagree with much.

Why Obama has an edge

Barack Obama has much going for him right now. While his counterpart is campaigning hard in Democrat states, Obama is sailing on the economic crisis. His popularity is gloating as the economy is plunging into a deeper crisis each day. In Germany, during the recession of 1929, when the economy used to go a notch down, the Nazi party's popularity used to go a notch higher. Obviously, in this case, Obama's popularity going up is not a negative. Most Americans would choose Economy over National Security at the moment, unless the Republican camp exposes a video of Osama Bin Laden threatening another attack, something which happened in the last election, giving Bush the cutting edge over John Kerry. Not to mention Coling Powell's endorsement of Obama, something which has really been an eye opener for everyone, and a big let down for the Republican party.

However, we must keep our fingers crossed.

With Elections Around the Corner, and Mistrust Still Prevailing

Most would agree that Obama has managed to unite and invigorate the youth and get them on his side. Also, he has tried to reach out to all segments of society, especially as the day to vote closes in. His stance on 'change' has also calmed down, as he seeks to attract the white upperclass that is most likely to vote for McCain, to safeguard and protect the stature and money that they possess. Howeve, researching on the issue of race during fall break, mainly via the NY Times articles and NY times blog, 'the Caucas', I came upon the conclusion that Obama is still looked at with suspicion in many areas of America. Patric Healy's article in the Oct 12th issue of the paper, clearly argues how race is still the underlying issue in parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Adam Nossiter writes how there is a 'receptive audience' to McCain's anti-Obama advertisments in the South, people who are questioning Obama's racial heritage and where really does he come from. There exists a mystery about Obama, that his charisma and oratory skills do not seem to clear, a mystery that is blended with distrust.

And the Caucas, which is a blog of the NY Times, highlights an interesting point. Written by Kate Pilips and Michael Falcone, the blog reads how McCain is using Obama's race issue as a weapon, by criticising how Obama has made it difficult to be criticized by citing racial prejudice in any legitimate criticism that is made of him.

At the end the question arises, whether the United States of America is actually prepared to have a black man as President.

The Final Debate

The debate last night was a let down. I had been looking forwared to see it and had higher expectations of the quality of the debate. However, both candidates seemed bogged down with personal accusations and petty 'tit for tats'. Also, it seemed neither of them had anything new to offer, but only more of the same. There were no final attractive additions in the economic packages they were offering to America, but rather argument over each others campaign advertisements. I would agree with Professor Dean that the presidential campaign achieved a new level of 'low' last night.

Clearly, Obama and McCain have exhausted their list of things to sell, and the time has arrived for America to choose it's new leader.

Chapters 16 & 18- Boler

The chapter on Bush and internet political campaigns was an insightful chapter that revealed the impact and affect that creativity on the internet can have on something as important as a presidential campaign. Also, the chapter shows how the internet has empowered the ordinary individual, which in turn has contributed to increased democratization, which is a positive thing.

The other chapter also gave importance to the internet stating how white supremacists are taking advantage of the internet in furthering their extremist ideology, and that it can and needs to be countered, as both pro and anti white supremacist people are on an equal footing with the internet as their main tool and platform.

Both these chapters show how the political discourse of today has changed with the internet and how people have been given an opportunity to voice their views on a platform that is consistent to all other individuals. This in a way has brought more equality and opportunity to the world, at the same time.

I-Spy Recap

In his book I-Spy, Mark Andrejevic captures the internet as a new force which has altered our way of living and interacting. Andrejevic argues how the internet has become a modern platformof political repertoire, and has therefore made the concept of democracy more true and meaningful.

Andrejevic's indepth and thorough analysis of the new mode of interaction and the advantages that are to our avail as well as the disturbing realities that we may be wary of helped me immensely in understanding the newly evolved world we live in and how it has become into what it has.