So the question from Slashdot was "With the announcement that President-Elect Obama will record his weekly address as a YouTube video to be posted at Change.gov, questions arise as to how an Internet-fueled candidacy based in part on a platform of government openness can begin to use technology to make government transparent. Aside from popular Slashdot policies, such as Net Neutrality, how do you think government (either in the United States or elsewhere) can best utilize technology to engage the public and make government more transparent and accessible?"
I think this is something that creates a wide array of different emotion. This is something that has never been tried before and I think that’s a good thing. If Barack Obama is viewed as an advocate for change, well this is a good start. When you think about what people expect from Obama it’s an over abundance of change that they’re looking for. This is a time to embrace every alternative and view it as a possibility instead of disregarding it because it’s different. A reason that things haven’t changed much I think is derived from a certain amount of fear that, we don’t know what will happen if we go down that road, but what if it does work out?
I don’t believe that all aspects of government should be transparent but, some aspects should be and either way I think the public should be more involved than they are. I think the public should involve themselves more than they are and I think the public should be portrayed as more involved than they are at times. The government could include the public more by the utilization of our current technology as Obama intends to. Open the floor to discussion via Email, Instant Messenger, etc., obviously screening inappropriate material proposed that may be proposed by some but, get that immediate feedback. Know what the people want by listening to them. So what do you think this suggestion or plan of action of Obama’s will do, to record his weekly address as a YouTube video? If anything he’s going to by reaching a whole other demographic who can view him whenever, post a comment for or against something they’ve heard. This could really start something if you think about the anonymity of the associated users and the element of fear or ridicule removed from speaking one’s mind truthfully and honestly. This is a whole other ballpark.
Now if this is the beginning of a trend , then so be it. If this is an approach that President-Elect Barack Obama wants to take, It’s okay by me. I trust the fact that if this man whom is about to lead our country wants to utilize our communication technologies to help us not to hurt us. Another view of this is , think about what it could do for the telecommunications industry. It may push them to strive for requirements for future communication devices to a higher standard. “Trying to keep up with time”, and it may improve the quality of many things that are already thought to be high quality. This concept of the use of YouTube may also mandate that internet have a more efficient connection and streaming of material. Quicker, faster. That’s where we are now, where will we be.
Hey either way, no matter what happens, I’m rooting for this to work. I’m rooting for Obama to succeed. I think it’s time that we begin to embrace and support rather than degrade and put down the differences between us. I think that Barack Obama is that difference, he knows that and that’s what he’s attacking. It’s a cause for hope and hope for change.
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