Internet posting and politicians of the future

Bottle_of_Smoke

Reading this site I've identified people I know in real life from information they've posted. On facebook most people have been fraped or posted nonsense whilst drunk(all of which is easily accessed) Most people 12-30 have some embarrassing photos of them on facebook - even if they don't have facebook.

I think it will be likely any aspiring politicians will be the type of peopel who post on boards like this. You say things here you may not say in real life. You also say things you regret. A while ago someone bumped a 4 year old thread and I was horrified by stuff I posted on it, my positions have completely changed since.

Things I've posted could be used against me and taken out of context so easily, but they would be my words.

So in the future every politician will most likely have some digital dirt on them. Things that by today's standards would force them to step down.

So which way is it going to go -People who just never took part in the internet will be the only electable ones?

or perhaps a more positive future - As everyone will have some dirt on them politicians of the future will be able to give their real opinions. Squeaky clean won't be seen as a good thing.

oscarBravo

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

or perhaps a more positive future - As everyone will have some dirt on them politicians of the future will be able to give their real opinions. Squeaky clean won't be seen as a good thing.

It would be lovely to think we could mature as a society to that extent.

I've said things on here in the past that, in hindsight, I was wrong about. If someone points that out to me, I'll explain that with the benefit of better information and more careful thought, I changed my mind.

If the electorate think that makes someone unworthy of representing them, they don't deserve me.

Wolfe Tone

I think everyone has posted something that they regret in some way... I am sure if I look back in three or four years I may feel differently about certain things. Considering this generation has grown up with internets, maybe everyone will come to the realization that people do and say stupid things on the internet. No biggie.

Sure OP, you can always say you were trollin'.

gbee

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Things I've posted could be used against me and taken out of context so easily, but they would be my words.

Yes, there should be say a 12 month clear out, I fully understand what you say.

In one forum I had to get myself banned as it was the ONLY way to have my posts deleted.

It's frighteningly easy to track a poster and when you get a 'troll hunter' on your back, life can be tough.

Piste

I think society will move to a point in the next few years where those at the top- be it in business or politics- will have been using the internet from their teens onwards. Consequently, most people in high positions of authority- and indeed in all positions- will probably have embarrassing pictures/dodgy facebook statuses/rants on boards with their name on it out there in cyberspace. Because it will be so widespread at that point, I think it's likely that most people will be understanding and forgiving and could see themselves in the same scenario.

AnonymousPrime

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

So which way is it going to go -People who just never took part in the internet will be the only electable ones?

or perhaps a more positive future - As everyone will have some dirt on them politicians of the future will be able to give their real opinions. Squeaky clean won't be seen as a good thing.

It really depends on the politician.
The population as a whole only pretends to care about a politicians past, where as we actually care only about the job they are doing.

Put it this way, we find out Bertie took part in some dodgy dealings during the year of the tiger and we laugh it off.
We find out Cowen played a game of golf with a banker and we are going for blood.

(This also has to do with communication styles of both parties)

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

oscarBravo

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

...or both, in equal measure, rendering them effectively irrelevant?

Amhran Nua

Ah I wouldn't worry about it.

hungrystudent

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Reading this site I've identified people I know in real life from information they've posted. On facebook most people have been fraped or posted nonsense whilst drunk(all of which is easily accessed) Most people 12-30 have some embarrassing photos of them on facebook - even if they don't have facebook.

I think it will be likely any aspiring politicians will be the type of peopel who post on boards like this. You say things here you may not say in real life. You also say things you regret. A while ago someone bumped a 4 year old thread and I was horrified by stuff I posted on it, my positions have completely changed since.

Things I've posted could be used against me and taken out of context so easily, but they would be my words.

So in the future every politician will most likely have some digital dirt on them. Things that by today's standards would force them to step down.

So which way is it going to go -People who just never took part in the internet will be the only electable ones?

or perhaps a more positive future - As everyone will have some dirt on them politicians of the future will be able to give their real opinions. Squeaky clean won't be seen as a good thing.

I think there is an issue of plausible deniablity though.There was a time people accepted a photograph as being alot more probative than they would now, for example.

gbee

Amhran Nua wrote: »

This is why Cowen was hopeless and this is why he left, he'll be in their arms tonight and no one will give a flying ....