Politics, The Media & You

Dr. Alison DagnesAssociate Professor

Shippensburg University

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): Tool

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): ToolJerk

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): ToolJerkA-Hole

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): ToolJerkA-HoleSchmuck

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): ToolJerkA-HoleSchmuckD-Bag

Also known as:

• Don’t Be a(n): ToolJerkA-HoleSchmuckD-BagTurkey

Political Ideology In Modern America

Liberalism

Conservatis

m

What is politically exciting?

• Partisanship: Fighting, invectives, tirades, attacks

Cable Television

Satellite Radio

The Internet

Effects of 24-HourMedia

• Lots and lots and lots of money to be made

Ad time, space, ratings revenue.

Effects of 24-HourMedia

• Lots of competition arises from profit potential

Who SHOULD be a Tool?

WHY?Because THEY make A LOT of

money from being agent provocateurs.

It’s their job.

Who Should NOT be a Tool?

YOU

Who Should NOT be a Tool?

YOUOn Facebook:

Don’t post mean things about political opponents.

Don’t post updates that are offensive.Don’t insult other people.

Don’t join groups that are offensive.

Who Should NOT be a Tool?

YOUOn Twitter:

Don’t Tweet malicious things about political opponents.

Don’t post Tweets that are despicable.Don’t insult other people.

Who Should NOT be a Tool?

YOUOn Line:

Don’t blog nasty things about political opponents.

Don’t post anything that is offensive or cruel.Don’t insult other people.

No keyboard courage: Bites you in the end.

Why Shouldn’t you be a Tool?

Mostly because it’s not your job. But more important, because you’ll hurt someone else. AND it might get you

into worlds of trouble. And who needs that?

Why Shouldn’t you be a Tool?

Because once it’s out there, it’s out there for good.

Because you can’t control what other people do with your content.

Because it will follow you FOREVER.

Consequences of 24 Hour Media for American Politics

• Dumbs-down the process, the voters, the politicians, the issues.

• Turns politicians into caricatures.• Forces a “good & evil” narrative for

every debate.• Diminishes importance of the

political process.

2010 Midterm Elections

Anti-Establishment

Politicians

Wall Street

Big Business

Policy Makers

Big PA Races: Governor

Big PA Races: US Senate

DO:• Take sides• Get involved• Be passionate about your

beliefs• Cheer loudly• Celebrate the victories• Mourn the losses

DO:CARE:

Throughout life there are wildly different types of people who care:Different ideologies, beliefs, religions,

ethnicities, interests, concerns.Meet them. Talk WITH them.

CARE

DON’T• Be nasty, unkind, cruel,

callous, malicious, despicable, unpleasant, shameful, uncaring.• Be a tool.