Internet Politics
As it has in most other areas, I expected the Internet would have a positive impact on the election process, allowing the masses to have access to facts that would reveal the truth about candidates and, on the whole, lead to more rational decisions.
I was wrong.
While the web is a wonderful resource for information, it also offers a large amount of disinformation. It’s bad enough when incorrect data is distributed through human error but a sizable portion of the “facts” on the internet are outright falsehoods and are purposely presented for the consumption of everyone.
Due to the very low cost of entry, it’s simple to create websites that spew lies about virtually everything… including political figures and issues. Maybe ESPECIALLY these!
So, instead of clarifying the field of candidates, the web has muddied the picture. It has become a shrill and virtually uncontrollable landscape. Where the heritage of traditional politics revolves around skillful innuendo, the internet has accelerated the presence of heavy-handed, thug-like, sometimes irrational and incoherent shouting.
Good, bad, or in between… there’s not much to be done about this phenomenon. Freedom of speech, you know.
There is an old latin saying that probably needs to be updated. It refers more to buyers of products: caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.
So, today, we need to heed the new warning for consumers of information:
Caveat surfer.
