Ever since the campaign of 2004 I’ve seen numerous of parody videos featuring Bush. He’s been in several animations, videos comparing him to a monkey and lip-synching to songs such as Bloody Sunday. It’s no wonder that comedians such as Jon Stewart have been accused of reveling in the absurd glory that is the Bush Administration. Most of these parodies ignore the complexities of situations and have caricatured Bush into an idiotic cowboy. Bush isn’t the only person who has been taken into the loving hands of artists and comedians. Gore has been featured in Futurama, Kerry has been showcased side by side with Dubya and Senator Craig has been singing “If you were Gay” with Avenue Q puppet Nicky.
There have been serious videos too. The angry rants are probably ignored except for those who agree with them. Presidential Candidates have Youtube accounts and have posted videos stating their point of view.
The question is: Do these media outlets improve or worsen voter involvement. On one hand, these videos do bring a fun way of sending simple messages to a large number of people. They might motivate viewers to search out more information. But, they also simplify people to a point where most of the comments on the Presidential Candidate’s videos are variations of “You rox my sox!” or “U suck” or “ Ron Paul for 2008!” When searching for Barack Obama on Youtube the top video was the song “I have a Crush…On Obama”. Not many of these serious videos are seen either. While “I’ve got a Crush on Obama” got over three million views, three hundred thousand for a serious video is on the high side.
8 comments:
I think that while many of the videos that can be found concerning politics on youtube are often rediculous and not serious, anything that increases voter awareness and involvement in national politics is a good thing. Simply watching videos, regardless of their merit, can help open voters' eyes to the political climate around them and encourage a more informed election.
Youtube and CNN did have the 08 Youtube Debates during the summer. I think that this would increase voter involvment. Although some of the questions for the candidates were ridiculous and obviously jokes, many, mostly the ones that were used on the show, were good questions that addressed serious issues. Some of the questions were asked in a creative way that could interest people other than the pollitical junkies.
I think that Youtube can be helpful for people who didn't get to catch the presidential debates. YouTube posts some serious stuff and can keep people up to date, but the videos that are most often looked at are the parodies, I don't think these parodies will affect the way people think about the candidates or politicians because most people who view them already have their own opinions about the candidates.
Youtube is neither the most serious nor the most effective means of finding out more about presidential candidates, their point of views, and the issues discussed and raised in various political debates. Despite the vast number of people who watch only the fluffy political parodies and have no real interest in politics whatsoever, as Greg Lucey mentioned Youtube is at least a way for citizens who DO want to learn about the candidates to be exposed to their debates and policies through Youtube's more serious political videos.
I don't think that people actually look on to youtube for serious news, but instead for entertainment. For instance, I have a friend who plays songs repeatedly like an OCD-afflicted individual. Although there are some really interesting and unique videos on the site, I think that people would go to more credible sources. If they needed the information, they could go read the newspapers or watch TV newscasts.
While many of the 2008 presidential candidates do have youtube accounts and use it as a media outlet, there are quite a few political videos of normal people expressing their own opinions. This helps the people come involved. It allows common people to try to educate other common people instead of people listening to a political lecture/speech/rally written by a professionally hired speech writer by a Washington big shot. I think that the more the subject is talked about, the more people will become aware. Youtube is the most massive video hub in American cyberspace. No matter what kind of political video, it will get views, thus involving the ignorant public a little more. Politics is no simple subject. The comedies simplify it to give people an idea of what's going on. Other videos are pretty hardcore making youtube just another resource to look to when doing research on politics. Ultimately I don't see a reason why Youtube would hurt citizen involvement within the government & politics.
While Youtube is a fun way to show videos and waste time, I hardly think it's a helpful way to get serious views across. As you said, the most watched videos are the comedic parodies and clips, not actual viewpoints and opinions. While Youtube might be a good place to post a cool looking video, I don't think it will have much or any effect in politics.
YouTube is arguably responsible for the Democratic majority in the Senate. The Virginia race was the closest of them all, and what sunk George Allen most of all was the "macaca" incident. See for yourself. YouTube definitely helped keep that story alive longer, and that definitely hurt Allen in the election.
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