Monday, May 10, 2010

obama bemoans information age as a 'diversion'

obama bemoans alternative media, rise of tea party*
obama bemoans information age as a 'diversion'from afp: US President Barack Obama lamented Sunday that in the iPad and Xbox era, information had become a diversion that was imposing new strains on democracy, in his latest critique of modern media. Obama, who often chides journalists and cable news outlets for obsessing with political horse race coverage rather than serious issues, told a class of graduating university students that education was the key to progress. "You're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank all that high on the truth meter," Obama said at Hampton University, Virginia. "With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said. He bemoaned the fact that "some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction," in the clamor of certain blogs and talk radio outlets.

updates:
man gets 8yrs for threatening obama's life*
9 indicted on charges of accessing obama records*
investigators claim obama using connecticut social security number*

2 comments:

Eris said...

Hey BO, I've got news for you - the whole of your modern 'civilization' and the Society of the Spectacle is a distraction from our lives.

Unknown said...

I don't see anything false about what he said in this case. There is an onslaught of distraction, everything that can possibly be true is claimed to be true and false at the same time depending on what website you visit. This website is a prime example- mostly just another paranoid stray path that can consume free minds and free time. Critical thinking is healthy, but paranoia is a disease.

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