Pull out your chicken suits, slap on some lipstick and grab the tripod. If you want to ask the presidential candidates a question in the upcoming debate, you'll have to do it via YouTube.
YouTube and CNN Collaborate In Hopes of Democratizing Debates, from Campaign & Elections:
All questions asked at the next Democratic debate will come directly from YouTube, where the public can post video questions.I read about this project on Rusty's blog yesterday, but imagine my surprise today when I popped on the TV for a little of the old CNN, only to see Rusty staring back at me. I can't get away from you guys. ;)CNN and YouTube are co-sponsoring the debate, which will be held on July 23 at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. They will sponsor a second debate in Florida on Sept. 17 for the Republican presidential candidates.
“CNN is the leader in political news coverage and has experience in producing presidential debates. And YouTube is at the forefront of today's new media revolution, allowing everyone to participate,” said Chad Hurley, CEO and co-founder of YouTube, in a teleconference yesterday. “So it is a natural partnership for us.”
I don't really need to point out that this project isn't very democratic at all, and in fact is quite exclusionary, do I? Didn't think so.
Here's how you can remediate. Instead of (or in addition to), cutting a question yourself, go find someone who might not have access to a camera: your 80 year old neighbor, the guy who blows the leaves, a child. Capture the Democratic mosaic and put that up on the tubes.
Besides, if you guys get anymore airtime, you'll all need agents.
Comments (7)
This is a good idea. Will drop an email to SpaceyG and see if I can get her to lug that fancy camera somewhere that they don't have fancy cameras (homeless shelter? nursing home?) and record a bunch of questions.
That's a great idea, Rusty. I'd be happy to help with that. Not that I know anything about all this stuff. But, The Progressive Transporter (PT) is available if needed.
Spacey doesn't have to go very far to find Eva, Ava, et al. There are some real characters in our little hood.
Yes, excellent idea!!
I did notice when I looked at the YouTube submissions, they were all from white dudes. I haven't looked in a day or so though. I could click over now but I'm lazy.
We should go somewhere and set up a camera and invite people to come! (Ya know, people who DON'T have regular internet access, that is.)
Also, Sherry had some good points about the CNN/YouTube project: http://mindblogging.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/06/this_could_work.html
Jay's Cigar Shop on Defoors would love to have us set up outside his place. Here's just a sample of some of our neighbors. (Spacey and I live about 3 blocks from each other):
* The hair salon guy who finds it necessary to mention during every conversation, that he is not gay.
* The guys who hang around the rap music studio.
* The elderly Japanese-American man who sells shoji screens.
* The black divas who shop on Defoors Place on the weekends.
* The people who work at the Goodwill collection place.
* The good folks who run a display supply company.
* The elderly NPU maven who's up in everyone's business.
* The New Orleans guys who cook for the creole caterer.
And on and on. She probably knows many more than I do, since she walks the neighborhood and goes to NPU meetings.
I also have a mini-DV camera that, for all its cheapness, is a lot easier to transport, will be less missed if taken during a midtown stabbing/shooting, and when set on "Easy" mode doesn't overexpose outdoor footage of people sweating through chickensuits! :-P
But brilliant idea. Baton Bob lives next door, wonder if I could get him to ask a question? :-D
Mel,
The studio where I take pole dancing is also in you & SG's neighborhood!