Professor Bill Jacobson at Legal Insurrection had a must read post this weekend that I felt compelled to draw to everyone's attention. It brilliantly lays out a great example of how memes and internet culture pervade politics, especially when done intentionally and strategically. This is a point in a larger picture that I myself have been trying to stress to activists in the movement - it's all about the culture.
There is nothing like Upworthy or BuzzFeed on the right. The closest we have come is Twitchy, Michelle Malkin’s brilliant website.
Are you surprised that Obama won the youth vote even though his policies are a complete disaster for the young?
We are losing the fight to the lowest of
low information voters, who are pushed toward a liberal agenda by very
smart and talented people who understand the power of social media in a
way we don’t.
So often when I ask readers to follow us on
Facebook and Twitter, I’m met with comments about privacy concerns on
Facebook and “I don’t do Twitter” type responses. Fair enough, but at
least understand the swarm effect a website like Upworthy can create
based on dumbed-down politically-savvy social media interactions, and
how that swarm may result in Elizabeth Warren being on the Democratic 2016 ticket if Hillary doesn’t run.
When I read about plans for Republicans
planning to narrow the digital divide, I can’t help thinking we are
fighting the last war.
Continue reading