There has been quite a bit of hype recently around the anti-Hillary Clinton spoof of Apple’s 1984 ad. While some have been elated and others outraged by the video, it has no doubt created trouble for both the Clinton and Obama campaigns. All the buzz emphasizes the increasingly prominent role the Internet–and its savvy users–are beginning to play in political posturing, campaigning and debating.
The Washington Post article: “A Brave New World of Political Skulduggery? Anti-Clinton Video Shows Ease of Attack In the Computer Age” portrays de Vellis’ creation as evidence and inspiration; the video demonstrates the benefits of politicking via the Internet and in doing so, has provoked a number of similar videos in response.
The article also states:
“The imbroglio highlighted not just how the power to push a message has shifted from big campaign organizations to lone operators with rudimentary video skills, but how technology makes subterfuge easier to accomplish — and easier to detect.”
Individuals may be able create a political stir over the Internet, but anonymity may be harder to come by with the use of new media. I imagine Internet users will be willing to accept this though, and as the 2008 Presidential Race progresses it will only be a matter of time before the next big hit political video surfaces. It may not be an anonymous medium but it is just too simple for people with strong opinions to pass up the opportunity to voice them.
