Blogger, the Google-owned site through which this blog operates, has been a great resource for a few years now. It's a quick and easy way for people to get information and ideas online. It's a very popular place that has expanded the scope of political debate.
Yet, a pure blog format has its limits for political expression. It enables me to have some words, with pictures if I want to add them, in a linear succession of pages, each of which disappears down the page and into an archive that is rarely visited. The form is eternal, but the content is fleeting.
I'm a few days into exploring another medium for political expression: TagWorld. TagWorld is one of those relationship sites, like MySpace, but it offers users a great deal more flexibility - and spares visitors the trashy advertisements for how to get dates with sexy young things who don't wear much in the way of clothes.
TagWorld lets users create blogs, but it also allows space for more enduring pages to supplement the blogs. Audio and video, as well as graphics, can be more easily integrated into a page that can serve as a solid center.
I'm still just in the process of playing around on TagWorld, and haven't yet made it sing for me, but I'm getting to feel more comfortable with the interface.
I'm contemplating the creation of a space centering around the 24th district congressional race there, as a way to reach out to a different kind of person than those who read this blog. Don't get me wrong - you're all great, but this format tends to attract people who are already interested and involved in politics.
TagWorld appeals to a very different crowd - younger, technologically saavy, but not yet involved in politics. Whether Michael Arcuri or Les Roberts becomes our nominee, we 24th district Democrats need to find new ways to expand the reach of the campaign, beyond cheesy television and radio advertisements, and glossy brochures that glimmer but don't say much. We also need to reach out nationally - local resources alone will not win the race.
Take a look at MySpace, and you'll see that many politicians, like Russ Feingold, Ned Lamont, and Louise Slaughter, are using the interface there to expand their political networks. Nobody is doing that yet on TagWorld, even though the TagWorld space is more flexible and powerful, and encourages people to link to eachother like crazy.
So, I don't think I'll abandon this place on Blogger in dealing with the 24th District race, but for those who are following the campaign in our district, I may be soon extending into the richer and more youthful environment of TagWorld. Give me a few days and I'll get back to you on it...
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9 comments:
That's great, you are 34 and you have a 19yr old friend listed in her underwair, so much for "and spares visitors the trashy advertisements for how to get dates with sexy young things who don't wear much in the way of clothes."
Get some perspective. Have you seen MySpace?
This kind of dismissive attitude is exactly what turns young people off from politics. This is the next generation of voters we're talking about - if the Democrats shrug them off as you're doing, then the Republicans will be more than happy to pick them up.
Besides, you sound kind of jealous about my 19 year old "friend" in her underwear.
Sour grapes? ;-)
No, just pointing out the hypocrisy in your reason for not using MySpace. I am fan of MySpace and there happens to be lot of people using it, with or without advertising. I just thought it was funny that you sited “sexy young things who don't wear much in the way of clothes” and when I went to your page that was the first thing I noticed.
If 19yr old cyber-girlfriends are what you hang your hat on, rock on.
Been to Ray Meier's site recently? Interesting that with all the quotes he's pulled, the one that is given a place of honor is this: "This year's bills also represent an unexpected partnership among the authors, Senator Raymond A. Meier, a conservative Republican from central New York, and two of the Assembly's most liberal Democrats..."
The New York Times (June 30, 2001)
Meier trying to pull to the left while Mike A pulls to the right? Watch they don't crash in the middle. But it may say something about how RM intends to position himself. . . .
Don't expect that 19 year old to wheel you around in your old age. You are nothing but a temporary means to an end to her. Generally, the only person who doesn't know it is the one being used. Suckers like you are a dime a dozen. Your girlfriend in her underwear on the net. Priceless.
Oh, Jesus. Sarcasm. Get it? Groan.
Jon I never figgured you for dating children.
Jon at 34 you're too old to grab those voters. Sorry. It happens to us all. I'd be happy to be wrong and have you appeal to the young 'uns and get them to vote
You fellas needed to look a bit further and see the 19 year old is a lesbian.
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