:: defining internet politics by its opposite

The following is taken from pg.226 of Joe Trippi's excellent book The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Democracy, The Internet and The Overthrow of Everything.

I am convinced that Internet politics and government will be defined by its opposite, broadcast politics, and by its potential to fix many of the problems politics creates:

• Civic d i s e n g a g e m e n t. The net builds communities and brings people together, providing the first reversal of trends reported in Robert Putnam's alarming book Bowling Alone - the isolation of Americans, the death of participatory politics, and the unraveling of the fabric of critical social and civic structures.
• The dumbing down of the American electorate. We're all tired of those studies that show half of schoolchildren can't name the president or the capital of their state. For the past fifty years, people have assumed they have to compete with the SHALLOW FLASH OF TV to get anyone's attention, but the internet is growing exponentially with a very old-fashioned recipe: reading and writing.
• The insidious corruption of our politics and our government due to the disproportionate influence of wealthy donors, special interests, and corporations. The internet shines a light on these dark recesses and quickly organizes millions of Americans cheaply, without relying on billionaires who want something for their money. Unlike TV ads which can cost millions, on the Internet, ALL YOU NEED IS A WEB SITE AND WORKING FINGERS.
• Various other diseases of broadcast politics, including ATTACK ADS, governing by SOUND BITES, and celebrity politics. When the Internet has become the dominant information media in this country - in the next few years - TV will go back to doing what it does best, entertaining us. TV is great for Law and Order. It is not so good for making laws and keeping order.