CNN brought participatory democracy to an unexpected low when they constantly ran an asinine graph at the bottom of its screen during Friday's debate. The graph, if I have this correctly, was supposed to instantly measure the reaction to what the debaters were saying. It included, I think, only politically declared viewers, be they Republican, Democrats, or Independents.
What happened? Surprise! The candidate whose turn it was to talk always came out on top. When they would switch to the other party, "the lead" would switch as well.
Apparently running election coverage up to two years before the actual election is not good enough for the Horseracers. They need to know everything about viewers the very second one of the candidates opens (or closes) his mouth.
Political Scientists have long thought that truly participatory democracy ends up being the tyranny of the majority. What's up for the next debate, attaching sensors to viewers about who, in their gut feeling, is instantly right or wrong? It just becomes a measure of visceral reaction, completely undermining what is meant by a well-informed electorate.
OK, The graph was excruciatingly dull and slow. Hopefully it stays that way and drops from the bottom of the screen into the dustbin of media history. I'm attached to sensors too much already.
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