Politics and viral marketing.

[Threadkiller]

As you may know, I almost never vote for a major candidate. I'm a big third-party voter. And I have great disdain for the big-money aspects of big-party politics.

What's bugging me is the viral campaign of misinformation and propaganda designed to discredit and scare folks away from voting for Obama. I've heard it called a 'whisper' campaign. This, of course, was the subject of the much publicized New Yorker article the cover of which proved to be a little too much for many sensitive viewers.

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/30009/original.jpg

I haven't read that New Yorker article and I suspect most dismiss it as biased since the New Yorker is notoriously pro-democrat. But there's no doubt that this whisper campaign exists. The best proof of this is on the snopes.com Obama (http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp) and McCain (http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/mccain.asp) pages where the number and nature of the 30 Obama claims (3 of which are confirmed true) stand in sharp contrast the sparse five McCain claims (1 of which is true). However, until recently, I believed the emails containing these claims were having only a marginal effect on people and their votes. That's since changed.

Over the past month or so, a bunch of these emails have been finding their way into the mailboxes of family and friends. Many of the less media/tech savvy among them don't read these claims with the skeptical eye one might hope. These emails generally come, via forwarding, from someone they know and they're written in such a way as to sound like a personal and urgent communication. This has the desired effect of getting people talking excitedly and asking questions. Even if they don't really believe the email (and to their credit they usually don't) the doubts and questions linger in their mind and they start to see the candidate in a different light.

Now, I don't honestly think Obama would be much, if any, more effective or succesful as president than McCain. But if this whisper campaign thing is successful as I fear it is, it will likely change the face of American politics dramatically. Smear campaigns no longer have to be broadcast on the 'I'm Dick Wankman and I approved this' commercial. Instead, they will sneak anonymously into the public consciousness through the uncomfortable back door of viral marketing.

I believe time will eventually cure us of this. Ten years from now we'll all be jaded and see viral marketing for what it is, another lame sales pitch. The internet landscape will change and people will be less willing to put much faith in the opinions espoused in chain emails and wikipedia articles. It happened with radio ads, tv spots, burma-shave billboards and even product placement, it'll happen with the internet too. The public will get savvy to it. But until then, I'm genuinely worried that these campaigns of misinformation are going to become the primary marketing tool used to trick the public into buying a political product that's as dangerous as those Jarts we all bought in the 80s because the saturday morning commercial made them look so fun. Only after a few painful darts to the head are we likely to start getting wise to the dangers.

http://www.matthewktabor.com/images/jarts.jpg

[JK]

I loved playing with Jarts...

[DePoy]

I've seen the same...and some hackers are getting into peoples' emails, myspace accounts, whatever, and sending them out en masse.

Any news on if Paul is running indie?

Darts to the head...heh.
"I taste...ice cream."
"You've got a dart in your head, you dumb shit!"
(Stuck on You)

[Shäne]

Anybody seen the one about Barack Obama being the anti-christ? It cracks me up in it's stupidity.

[ZBarclay]

What's bugging me is the viral campaign of Misinformation and propaganda
Leave us out of this.

[Antonio_Bay]

Leave us out of this.

I thought that was a neat plug for the show.

[Threadkiller]

I loved playing with Jarts...

Me too. That's how they get you. At first it's fun because it's only targeting guys whose politics are lame anyway. Then, next thing you know...bam! Dart to the head! Ow!

Of course, the other side of the coin is that those pansy liberals banned the sale of jarts when everyone knows that a metal shaft piercing the skull builds character in strapping young American boys.:p

[RobinHoodDaffy]

those pansy liberals banned the sale of jarts when everyone knows that a metal shaft piercing the skull builds character in strapping young American boys.:p

And Conservatives know that is how we got George W.

[DePoy]

Anybody seen the one about Barack Obama being the anti-christ? It cracks me up in it's stupidity.

I saw it. He talks about Biblical passages that WOULDN'T make good policy, then the narrator basically says he's against the 10 Commandments and hates Jesus. If you guys want, I'll find and post the link. It's insane.

[dtcb]

politics and religion.......ahhhh!

The only time when there are good together is when they are trying to tear each other's throats out.

I'd pay good money for the next president of the US to switch his religion once he takes office to something obscure like Shinto, Zen Buddism or even Pastafarianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster). The Religious Right needs a good swift kick in the ass in the name of Freedom. We really could use a President who wasn't Christianity's bitch.

[Threadkiller]

Pastafarianism has one of the best official websites of any organization. They don't want to just come out and say they made it all up in order to make a point about how the U.S. legal system favors religions. So everything is tongue-in-cheek. The best part is where they post the letters they get from people who don't understand it and get angry.

[phit_demon]

Alright, I'm going to bite. TK - what is with your seemingly ever-changing sig?

At first I thought I was going crazy, but no, it is in fact in a constant state of flux.

[Threadkiller]

It must've been hacked. Or maybe it's haunted. It's supposed to be a Scott Baio quote from Charles in Charge. Something about staying in school or saying no to drugs.

[RobinHoodDaffy]

Shenanigans

[phit_demon]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h3/phitdemon/519RDAQBMRL_SS500_.jpg

[Threadkiller]

Mostly the sig is just me being my regular strange self. About as close as I'll get to a creative writing exercise. But it's also a bit of an experiment to see if anyone would notice. You win!



http://stuff.orly.ch/img/blog/zomg-you-ve-won-internet.gif

[phit_demon]

Mostly the sig is just me being my regular strange self. About as close as I'll get to a creative writing exercise. But it's also a bit of an experiment to see if anyone would notice. You win!
It kind of makes me wish I'd saved them all. Bravo sir!



http://stuff.orly.ch/img/blog/zomg-you-ve-won-internet.gif
Oooo, how much inturnetz duz I wyn?

[Threadkiller]

It kind of makes me wish I'd saved them all. Bravo sir!

Why thank you.

Not to worry. I got 'em all saved for posterity in anticipation of one day posting them on Wikipedia in an attempt to validate my existence.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/060907/123046__dazed_l.jpg

That guy says "not to worry"

[freetoaster]

That is pretty awesome TK. Phit, I am jealous you saw it first. I love that kind of stuff.

I like the magazine cover. It makes me think of the Danish cartoon of Mohammed that caused such an up-roar a few years ago. I have no real opinion on the viral marketing thing though. Anyone that can't see straight through garbage emails and the trash that puts them out will probably be dead soon.

You could probably teach an entire course based on the dynamics of what is going on with that New Yorker cover.

[freetoaster]

http://www.pekingduck.org/archives/mohammed%20cartoon%20danish-thumb.jpeg

Who's afraid of the big-cartoon?

[dtcb]

Mohammed! That's hot!
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/sexyburqua.jpg


http://www.stasek.com/mvcouncil/images/trans_burqua.jpg

[Lotism]

Are these pictures falsely portraying Islam supposed to funny?

[Rob101]

I guess you'd have to have been there or be familiar with their lifestyle to get those.

[JK]

Are these pictures falsely portraying Islam supposed to funny?

Didn't we discuss this already? :rolleyes:



And yes, they're funny. Why is that Christians and Jews can be be laughed at and ridiculed with impunity but say anything Islam and you're condemned as an evil, evil person? Explain that to me, Lotism.

[puggso_32]

Are these pictures falsely portraying Islam supposed to funny?

Yes

Just like

http://drunkenmormon.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/jesusexpand.jpg

is also funny.

[ZBarclay]

Are these pictures falsely portraying Islam supposed to funny?
How exactly are they falsely portraying Islam anyway? They're not depicting Muslims eating baby faces or walking everywhere on their hands. In some countries, Muslim women wear the berka. Fact.

[Lotism]

How exactly are they falsely portraying Islam anyway? They're not depicting Muslims eating baby faces or walking everywhere on their hands. In some countries, Muslim women wear the berka. Fact.
No let me check you on your "fact." I'm Muslim. I have a lot of Muslim women in my family and extended family. FACT: Not one of them wears the burka!! The closest thing to any of that is my grandmother who is very religious and all she wears is a scarf covering her hair and only her hair. The rest of us wear regular clothing, jeans and shirts. And Yes in some countries they wear it, but through vigorous propaganda, they've managed to make that shit a stereotype that all Muslims are the same.

[JK]

If you seriously think the majority of us who post here buy into the stereotypes perpetrated by media then you really need to do some more lurking. Or just piss off.

Personally, I'm for the latter.

[RobinHoodDaffy]

O.k. I couldn't find a particularly good video for this song, but this will work. Just listen, o.k.?

Racism (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GY8o-qAb08)

[Lotism]

Didn't we discuss this already? :rolleyes:

And yes, they're funny. Why is that Christians and Jews can be be laughed at and ridiculed with impunity but say anything Islam and you're condemned as an evil, evil person? Explain that to me, Lotism.
Yes we have discussed this. Christians and Muslims are laughed at. Yes Muslims too. Jews are never laughed at in the newspapers or perhaps you haven't noticed. As soon as you make fun of a Jew it becomes antisemitism, an attack on Jews, the holocaust is mentioned, gets blown out of proportion and lawsuits usually follow. I read an article somewhere where a Jew in an airport, felt offended by all the Christmas trees during that holiday week. He threatened a lawsuit and rather than let it go to that the airport just took down all the trees. Hey man I think Christmas trees are beautiful and they don't bother me one bit.
You asked so I'll simply explain. The only thing to ever piss off the Muslims is the Portrayal of our Prophet Mohammad. It is disrespect because he has never been drawn, painted or made into a statue for the sole purpose that he knew that people would begin to worship him, and all he was was a man delivering a message. And portraying a prophet with a Bomb on his head is stereotypical and offensive. That is the only thing that pissed off Muslims. I see the cartoons in papers and the lot of them make fun of Islam. I found the tranny joke pretty funny actually. I did not find the Mohammad joke funny.

If you seriously think the majority of us who post here buy into the stereotypes perpetrated by media then you really need to do some more lurking. Or just piss off.
Personally, I'm for the latter.
That's the only reason I made my original comment was for that reason. It would be sad if you guys did buy into the stereotypes. Right now your saying you guys don't however there are a lot of things that are misconstrued in the media and it just seemed like some of you were buying into this. I won't get all crazy about it and I won't mention it anymore. If you say you guys don't buy into it that's cool but I do remember one of those earlier heated debates we had where it seemed like a few of you really had no clue as to what my religion is about. And honestly I'm not even religious man. I don't go pray in the mosque. But it is sometimes sad to see people think so wrongly about something. Sorry though I won't be pissing off any time soon.;)

[RobinHoodDaffy]

O.k. one quick thing though, to say that it does not happen at all is hiding with your head in the sand. Liberal and moderate Christians have had to come to terms with the people picketing abortion clinics, and vote for idiotic political candidates. Liberal and moderate Jews are aware of orthodox Jews even if they don't agree with them. It's the same for all of us. Our president is W. Bush, even only 33% of America really agrees with him. The squeaky wheel gets the attention if that is a good thing or not.

So as long as the only real thing linking Muslim extremists is the religion, then those who don't agree with them will still be the victim of some misunderstandings. Just like all peace movements, to work it has to come from within. So rather than bitching at us for voicing a little non-violent ribbing on a force that is destructive in the world, you could focus it on changing the minds of the people who misunderstand the teachings of Mohammed and making the world a better place.

[ZBarclay]

No let me check you on your "fact." I'm Muslim. I have a lot of Muslim women in my family and extended family. FACT: Not one of them wears the burka!! The closest thing to any of that is my grandmother who is very religious and all she wears is a scarf covering her hair and only her hair. The rest of us wear regular clothing, jeans and shirts. And Yes in some countries they wear it, but through vigorous propaganda, they've managed to make that shit a stereotype that all Muslims are the same.
Who are you arguing with. I said some. It was a fact. I was right. You are wrong. And you're back to being a douchebag. I'm not even going to debate you on this. I'm right. You're wrong. Drop it.

[JK]

Speaking of politics, I may have made a huge mistake here at work.

I mentioned outloud what I think of a certain Presidential candidate...

I'm screwed.

[ZBarclay]

Speaking of politics, I may have made a huge mistake here at work.

I mentioned outloud what I think of a certain Presidential candidate...

I'm screwed.
Oh man. The workplace and politics never mix. Can you put a spin on it at all?

[JK]

I wasn't even thinking when this person asked me what I thought about today's headlines. Usually, I'm a lot more careful. I forgot that the person I was talking to is a member of the Communist party.

You'd be surprised how many I actually work with...

[ZBarclay]

I wasn't even thinking when this person asked me what I thought about today's headlines. Usually, I'm a lot more careful. I forgot that the person I was talking to is a member of the Communist party.

You'd be surprised how many I actually work with...
There are a lot of the Communists at work? Well, that makes sense. They're all guaranteed jobs right? That's how that works. :)

[JK]

In Soviet Russia you don't work job, job works you!

[Threadkiller]

I forgot that the person I was talking to is a member of the Communist party.

Communists are so quaint and old-fashioned. It's cute really. Like the Amish. They should have a little tourist area where people can experience a living part of our past.

[ZBarclay]

Communists are so quaint and old-fashioned. It's cute really. Like the Amish. They should have a little tourist area where people can experience a living part of our past.
That area wouldn't be fun at all. You would pull in, get out of the car and be told what job you would be performing while you were on vacation. Bummer.

[Lotism]

So rather than bitching at us for voicing a little non-violent ribbing on a force that is destructive in the world
I wasn't bitching. I asked if it was funny. JK asked for an explanation which I gave. And the only problem I see is that you believe it is a destructive force. I don't want to preach on this site. I don't want to bitch and be called a douche just because I have an opinion or because I am trying to get someone to believe the contrary. I'll drop the whole thing.

[freetoaster]

We would give you a-lot-less-shit if you just chill.

[Lotism]

I am chill. I didn't get crazy or use profanity or vulgarity in my response. Shouldn't get all defensive. I wish these conversations about sensitive issues could be discussed without anyone getting emotional and upset.

[freetoaster]

I am chill. I didn't get crazy or use profanity or vulgarity in my response. Shouldn't get all defensive. I wish these conversations about sensitive issued could be discussed without anyone getting emotional and upset.

It has has nothing to do with any of that. You're somehow a vast pit of suckitude and desperation. Shoot me!
http://www.inkleaf.net/images/chilla_fix/001.jpg;)

[Lotism]

Bravo!

[Rob101]

I'm Muslim. I have a lot of Muslim women in my family and extended family. FACT: Not one of them wears the burka!!
The only question that I have is, where are you from? I find that it is more rare to find a Muslim woman that does not wear a burka. There are spouses here that still wear it. They commented that it is a relaxation on the beliefs as the generations see fit, which is most common in the US. As the generations go by they will make changes in an attempt to fit in with society. If you get outside the US, you will see the the true Muslim religion. I have been to Saudi, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Israel, Afganistan, Qatar, Siria, and some more in that area that I can't remember. I'm not trying to argue, I am just saying the US version of Muslim is a little tainted.

[Lotism]

The only question that I have is, where are you from? I find that it is more rare to find a Muslim woman that does not wear a burka. There are spouses here that still wear it. They commented that it is a relaxation on the beliefs as the generations see fit, which is most common in the US. As the generations go by they will make changes in an attempt to fit in with society. If you get outside the US, you will see the the true Muslim religion. I have been to Saudi, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Israel, Afghanistan, Qatar, Syria, and some more in that area that I can't remember. I'm not trying to argue, I am just saying the US version of Muslim is a little tainted.
I'm from the Balkans. Born and raised in the United States with my immediate family. My grandmother is born and raised in the Balkans and all she wears is a scarf. I have not seen ONE woman in the entire Balkan region wearing a Burka. That is strictly for certain societies in the middle east. And to say its more common to see one wearing one than not isn't true at all.
Here's a little bit of info most people aren't aware of. The Majority of Muslims are NOT Arabs. They are Asians. The Burka is ridiculous and way too much.. What do you mean the Us version of it is Tainted. That is a bit excessive.
Tainted
1 To affect with or as if with a disease.
2 To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. See Synonyms at contaminate.
3 To corrupt morally.
It's not the best word to describe the situation.

[Rob101]

I'm from the Balkans. Born and raised in the United States with my immediate family. My grandmother is born and raised in the Balkans and all she wears is a scarf. I have not seen ONE woman in the entire Balkan region wearing a Burka. That is strictly for certain societies in the middle east. And to say its more common to see one wearing one than not isn't true at all.
Here's a little bit of info most people aren't aware of. The Majority of Muslims are NOT Arabs. They are Asians. The Burka is ridiculous and way too much.. What do you mean the Us version of it is Tainted. That is a bit excessive.
Tainted
1 To affect with or as if with a disease.
2 To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. See Synonyms at contaminate.
3 To corrupt morally.
It's not the best word to describe the situation.
You used a bad website for the definition, but take a couple of words off the last one and it works. To corrupt. Take something normal and change it. Either or. Different areas take what they want from their religion and discard the rest. Do you fully practice the religion.

[RobinHoodDaffy]

I wasn't bitching. I asked if it was funny. JK asked for an explanation which I gave. And the only problem I see is that you believe it is a destructive force. I don't want to preach on this site. I don't want to bitch and be called a douche just because I have an opinion or because I am trying to get someone to believe the contrary. I'll drop the whole thing.


I stated that RADICAL ISLAM was a destructive force silly. Sheesh. Well, I'm done.

[Lotism]

I used Dictionary.com. I know what you mean when you say different areas take what they like and discard the rest. Hence Christianity, Catholicism, Calvinism, Roman Catholic, Orthodox etc..
Of the Muslim branches there are 3. Sunni which is 90%, the Shia and Sufism which are the smallest.
I don't fully practice the religion but I do have relatives who do. Praying 5 times a day, fasting and the rest. The Burka is not a part of our religion. It is a part of certain Arab cultures. And at that not all Arabs wear the Burka. I have friends who are from Palestine and I have met their family members. None of the women wore burkas. Only scarfs covering their hair. That is all that is required. Burkas are not mandatory for Muslims, only that the female be covered(no ass out, no titties out and a scarf for her hair.) Anything beyond that is excessive and cultural based.

[Lotism]

I stated that RADICAL ISLAM was a destructive force silly. Sheesh. Well, I'm done.
All radicalism is destructive, you have no argument from me there. Only problem is that the Media points the big finger at Islam. Radical politicians, radical nationalists, radical Judaism, radical Christianity and radical Islam. They are all dangerous.

[RobinHoodDaffy]

And I mentioned that. Now count to ten and think of the ocean.

[Rob101]

Not all radicalism is destructive, then you are going against what you are talking about when you categorize into groups.

[Rob101]

Anyways, that was fun, NEXT!

[Lotism]

Agreed. I'm not in the mood to talk about this crap anyway. I gotta look for some comedy on this board somewhere.

[By-tor]

I used Dictionary.com. I know what you mean when you say different areas take what they like and discard the rest. Hence Christianity, Catholicism, Calvinism, Roman Catholic, Orthodox etc..
Of the Muslim branches there are 3. Sunni which is 90%, the Shia and Sufism which are the smallest.
I don't fully practice the religion but I do have relatives who do. Praying 5 times a day, fasting and the rest. The Burka is not a part of our religion. It is a part of certain Arab cultures. And at that not all Arabs wear the Burka. I have friends who are from Palestine and I have met their family members. None of the women wore burkas. Only scarfs covering their hair. That is all that is required. Burkas are not mandatory for Muslims, only that the female be covered(no ass out, no titties out and a scarf for her hair.) Anything beyond that is excessive and cultural based.Fuck!!! I'm learning something. A Muslim said "Titties". Just kidding, dude. I have learned some things that I never bothered to "wiki", or whatnot. The world is made up of such a variety of people that it is nearly impossible to figure out each other. Tolerance(up until somebody fucks somebody up) is the only answer. "You live your life, I'll live mine". Damn, I'm almost out of beer. And, the ability to fuggin' type. :rolleyes:

[Rob101]

Damn, I'm almost out of beer. And, the ability to fuggin' type. :rolleyes:
That seems to happen to you a lot. :)

[By-tor]

That seems to happen to you a lot. :)Don't make me come over there.

[Rob101]

I'd love the company. Do you need directions? :D

[By-tor]

http://www.starman-imaging.com/may03/jasbsb259r.jpg
WHAT?!!!!

[ZBarclay]

http://www.starman-imaging.com/may03/jasbsb259r.jpg
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/4/4d/StoneColdSlamBeers.jpg
I hope you're shooting for every thread...because this is AWESOME!

And I fixed it for ya...

[BAMSS04]

So this election is looking to b pretty interesting. Either way, it is going to be a history maker. Which is good it is about time that we had some diversity in the White House.

Am I the only one who thinks it is painful to watch either of these two speak?

With Obama, he just reminds me too much of a preacher. He keeps talking to us like he is a savior and what not... I go to church already don't need to hear another sermon.

With Mccain, the poor guy can't move. He tries to lift his arms and he looks like a rag doll.


Whatever, I am just ready for this election to be over.

[Threadkiller]

Am I the only one who thinks it is painful to watch either of these two speak?


'fraid not. What they need is someone to whack 'em with a big fish.

[JK]

Chicks in glasses are hot.

[ratm1966]

One of the dudes at Fox News really put his foot in his mouth today. He and his co-host were doing a story on how Palin is having an effect on hair styles and the way women are dressing. They also touched on some internet stuff about how good looking she is.

Somewhere in there, the guy says, "She's hot!"

His co-host was shocked and instantly pointed out his on-air comment and he was pretty damn red for quite some time.

[Lotism]

What they need is someone to whack 'em with a big fish.
McCain's hip would break.

[ZBarclay]

One of the dudes at Fox News really put his foot in his mouth today. He and his co-host were doing a story on how Palin is having an effect on hair styles and the way women are dressing. They also touched on some internet stuff about how good looking she is.

Somewhere in there, the guy says, "She's hot!"

His co-host was shocked and instantly pointed out his on-air comment and he was pretty damn red for quite some time.
I'd put it in her butt. She looks a lot like Tina Fey.

[Lotism]

Speaking of bloopers listen to this chick say top-cock twice. Its pretty hilarious.:D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLkQeuU1LmM

[Threadkiller]

At first it's fun because it's only targeting guys whose politics are lame anyway.

The other shoe has dropped. I got the "Anne Kilkenny's comments on Sarah Palin (http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/a-letter-about-sarah-palin-from-anne-kilkenny/)" email yesterday. Basically a resident of the town where Palin was mayor convincingly rips into her for a page or twenty. It's more convincing than the 'Obama is the anti-christ' emails but essentially the same thing.

[Sheriff]

Scary, not to get into a huge debate about this but why would an official party even try to take that type of stance. (http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1830590,00.html)