Comments on: Politicians on Facebook Just Make People More Cynical

By: Hannah

Hannah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:33:09 +0000

As a memember of the ‘Net Generation’ I agree that to some extent the presence of politicians on Facebook is somewhat unsettling. Having serious issues like voting in regards to city planning discussed in the context of what is for the most part, frivilous social media seems strange. This has been a topic of discussion in my community lately. This past week a city councilman disclosed on his Facebook page, how he will be voting in regards to a controversial city planning issue. Volume One magazine discussed the issue in their community blog check it out here : http://volumeone.org/blogs/The_Daily_Shakedown/post/793/The_Jail_and_Facebook.html

By: Jill Knouse

Jill Knouse — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:11:08 +0000

I agree with the comment above that it is better for the politician to be your friend, and not have to be a supporter. This has a lot to do with recent events. I had become a supporter of Obama on Facebook because at the time I felt he was the best candidate. So, there on my profile was a big stamp of my approval for him. When the events with his Pastor came out, I was scrutinized by my conservative friends for supporting him.

I have since deleted this from my profile because as a young voter still exploring political ideas, it became hard for me to say that I support one candidate 100% at this time. So, I agree with the idea that it is almost impossible to show bipartisanship on Facebook.

I also feel these support pages are not really accurate judges of candidate support. A current student at UT in Austin, I believe that a great deal of the supporters are just college kids who have jumped on the bandwagon influenced by other students.

Great blog. I enjoyed it.

By: Chris Horkins

Chris Horkins — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:05:27 +0000

I think you’ve pointed out a valid problem with the way politicians are using facebook today. I did like it better when they existed on facebook just as the rest of us, and you added them as “friends” rather than signing up as a “supporter”. The new system created a hierarchy of presences on facebook between politicians and the general public that contributes not only to the cynicism and division that Ian Bateman is wise to point out, but also assumptions of elitism.

In this kind of environment, facebook politicians just sit atop their tower doling out “updates” (again, by having a separate function from regular messaging, a hierarchy is created) to their supporters who can either indicate 100% support, or nothing. There is no room for bipartisanship on facebook. I’ve seen a few young Tories take heat from friends for having Liberal members on their facebook friends and vice versa. As a New Democrat, even I didn’t escape some gibing over adding Belinda Stronach.

Either way, good stuff Will. I’m glad they let you go on facebook at work. Now go grab a Snapple and play some Wii Tennis for me.

By: Walt Dick

Walt Dick — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:35:39 +0000

Well I think people really interested in a politicians platform shouldn’t be getting it (solely at least) from the Facebook profile. Also you made a fairly rash assumption that politicians are actually more than “product pushers”. Perhaps they are finally accepting the reality of their position in society, attempting to give the illusion of satisfying maximum utility of the voting populous.

By: Ian Bateman

Ian Bateman — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:24:08 +0000

You’re right, it can contribute to division and cynicism. There are far better ways to communicate with the rest of us, rather than using a device like Facebook as an ego boost.