Conversion Crazed

Iraqi Government Gets a Lesson in We Media

Honestly I have to say I'm completely surprised by the Iraqi Government's ineptitude on how it handled the execution of Saddam Hussein. I mean really it's the worst PR disaster for that nation that I can think of.

I mean if were sitting in the Prime Ministers chair thinking about the event I think I would have realized that this is probably the most important event in my nation's modern history. Also it will most likely be the most important event in my political career and probably the one I will be remembered for. Beyond the historical aspect there is of course the socio-political powder-keg that a botched execution could, nay would ignite. So after months and months of planning the Government of Iraq decided to appear eager for revenge, hire a bunch of yokel zealots to hand the event, and then act surprised when it all goes wrong and the whole world hears about it. It's this last point I find so interesting, the fact that they were surprised it leaked...

Government of the Republic of Iraq meet the cold hard reality of We Media.

What's We Media you might ask? It's the concept that because of innovations in technology and globalization everyone can be a journalist and everyone is a consumer of everyone else's news. In the case of Hussein's execution a witness recorded the whole thing (embarrassing spectacle and all) on his cell phone. The technology to do this isn't as recent in itself but just think of the possibilities this guy had to spread his recent experience? He could have walked across the street to a telephone and called in his sightings to a national news outlet or verbal spoke to his audio blog right there. He could uploaded it to the news outlet's citizen journalists sites, uploaded his video to YouTube, sent his photos to Flickr, shared them with his neighbors, etc. etc. and you know what... he did them all.

But that's the point! There is no multi-national news organization saying what goes on air and what doesn't anymore... they don't control the airwaves... WE do! so in a blink of an eye it's everywhere. Now what? Well that's when We Media really kicks in. I see it and show two friends, who show two friends, and so on. The we start to blog about it, talk about it, share our own thoughts and suddenly we are part of the story. We are creating the news... you, me, everyone! Think about the power behind this, no longer do you have to way for the 6pm news to hear the "late breaking but no real details report" of the natural disaster somewhere because 10 min. after it happened someone is sending thoughts, pictures, and video around the world. Amazing!

Here's s the important part... there is no fighting it. The ability to put spin control on anything out there is becoming harder and harder and often backfires(just ask Microsoft). Really the only course of action the Government of Iraq had in this situation is to prevent the situation in the first place. Trying to control it will make it worse in most cases.

You can account for it in your plans but do not try to disparage it or coerce into what you want it to be. Instead, facilitate it's existence and use it to get your story out there as part of the debate. In other words participate and facilitate. If you have a good idea or see something neat be the first to break the global news story. I don't know why I never saw this before but Yahoo is doing a great job facilitating this evolution. Check it out

For more info We Media a friend of mine, Chris Willis, wrote a leading paper on the subject located here.

My Election Day Coverage

I'm going to take a break from my usual subjects to write a bit about the Election. First off as an aside I could not be happier with the results, and that's all I will say about my political leanings.

Let me start off by saying I revel in my citizenship... revel in it! Just the thought of it makes me feel warm and tingly. I view my civic duties as honors and privileges. I've served proudly on three jury's and have never missed a chance to vote since I turned 18. Election Day sees me dressing up in my finest and heading off to the polls. This year was no exception and especially looked forward to voting electronically (first time for my precinct).

Overall things went really well but there were a few concerns that were apparent. Most have to do with how we approach our civic duty:

First off, God Bless our precinct volunteers! tireless men and women who give up many days a year to run our polling stations in an efficient and patriotic way. With how critical the electoral function is and the increased scrutiny of recent elections (not to mention very impatient voters) they do an amazing job. What concerns me is that almost all of them are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s+. Where are the young people participating in their government? A reality of our new form of voting was very apparent on Tuesday. Typically the elderly are less comfortable, and have a much lower adoption rate, of technological improvements. My precinct volunteers were very apparent in their frustration with the electronic voting systems and very uncomfortable with maintaining the machines, cards, etc. This caused things to be very sloppy leading me to my second issue.

I could have voted at least 10 times if I wanted to, hear that Lt. Governor Herbert? 10 times, at least!  This is because of three things, 1) the lack of precinct volunteers; there just were not enough “eyes on the till”. 2) I was not asked for ID, this is not a law so I wasn't required but America: we must change this! All I had to do was walk to 10 different precincts pretending to be someone on the list and I could have voted each time. 3) The electronic cards; I had an issue with mine before I started so they volunteers cleared it and I was able to vote. This had me thinking what if I voted and then went to the table and said mine was having issues, they clear it and voila I can vote again. The voter information slogan changes from "leave your print" to "vote early, vote often".

RANT ON, Lastly I need to spend a minute ranting about the first screen (electronic) or first question (paper) that has been on every ballot I have ever cast. “If you would like to vote for a particular party in all elections, choose you party” You can then select one of the 7+ parties and be done voting. This is called Single Transferable Voting or Choice Voting. Are you Serious!!! What kind of question is that? If you have ever done that just freaking stay home. Don’t vote. Seriously, don’t vote, your vote shouldn’t count. Let me be clear I’m not saying people shouldn’t vote for all candidates that are of the same party if you believe in the candidates but just issuing a blanket vote is like saying I don’t care. You should be doing your homework if you are going to vote democrat, republican, etc. you should make sure every candidate deserves your vote. Blanket voting is an ignorant, unpatriotic, unwise, and lazy way to participate in our republic. America: we must strike this from the ballot, RANT OFF.

In all these cases I can think of one thing that will solve this easily. More people getting involved in the process. I was absolutely flabbergasted (almost rear ended the person in front of me) to hear a woman on our local news say she couldn’t vote because “the line to vote was an hour long and she had things to do.” WTF! How trite do you have to hold your citizenship that you cannot spend 1 in line waiting to influence your country, community, and family for the better but you can spend 15-20 min. complaining to a reporter about how you don’t have any time to cote. Disgusting! Wake up people! Your vote is your power to influence your democracy, your community, and your families future. Picture is of a line to vote in Afghanistan average wait was 6-8 hours because of high turnout.

Get involved! learn about your government, learn about your elected officials, participate during the year in your government (not just at election time), and most of all volunteer. I know for sure I will be working the polls next election.

Happy Thanksgiving!