The Digital Age and the Dumbing Down of Politics
The digital revolution has only amplified this shift. Due to the instant gratification of social media, it’s not about presenting a well-rounded, thought-out argument to voters. It’s about getting the biggest reaction, the loudest applause, the most clicks. Tweets become news, Facebook posts become policy declarations, and viral moments become campaign milestones.
We’ve seen it time and time again: the candidate who can post the most outrageous tweet, land the most absurd soundbite, or create the most eye-catching meme tends to command the attention.
It’s not about substance. It’s about visibility. Who’s dominating the narrative, who’s stirring the pot, and who can spark a reaction? The policies they promote come second to the buzz they create.
And as we become more connected to our devices and more accustomed to constant news cycles, politics becomes less about public service and more about being a permanent, consumable producer of content. Politicians are now in the business of creating “brand moments”—they’re selling themselves to us, just like any other product.
While at first this may seem incredibly problematic, I do believe it will eventually lead to a bevy of social media–driven candidates who use their reach—not their wallets—to win elections.
I can’t decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. It’s a little worrisome to me because social media can be very misleading. But that being said, I can’t stand the constant emails from politicians asking for donations.. to use for what!?
The great thing about social media is its ability to equalize the playing field. Candidates without deep pockets or political party backing can make their mark and get their message out to an audience that would otherwise be outside their reach.