An article in today's Boston Globe reports on campaigns for President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney calling for voters to submit videos in support of their respective websites. The videos are supposed to show voters around the country why supporters are getting behind their candidate and why you should too.
These calls by both camps have gone mostly ignored. Experts in social media attribute the lack of response to people who are willing to "like" an article or a video on a Facebook page but not willing to do much else. The experts call these people "slacktivists". Another opinion hints at a lack of technological know-how that is preventing people from contributing in support of their candidate.
I would like to offer a third opinion that no one else is mentioning: Money talks. B.S. walks.
I have grown weary of the calls by the media for "Citizen Journalism". Newspapers, television stations and other outlets are always looking for someone outside of their companies to write or report about something. How much are they paying? Nothing. What are they giving you for your work? Why should you give your time and effort for someone that will package your efforts with other stories, sell advertisements, charge people for copies and make money while you get nothing in return?
I have always said your writing should be free when the bank tells you to forget the mortgage this month; When the landlord tells you not to worry about the rent. Your work is free when your supermarket says, "It's on us this time."
I can just imagine what you're thinking: Another frustrated writer who can't get work. Think of it this way: President Obama was at a fundraiser last month. There were reportedly 60 people who attended. That's $2.4 million just for one day of fundraising. I understand the NoMad is swank and it cost money to sleep/eat there. Did the entire event cost $2.4 million? I doubt it.
Mitt Romney was in Florida last week for a fundraiser that cost couples $50,000 to attend. Fifty people were said to have shown for the party for a total of $1.25 million.
I'm sure these weren't the only fundraisers held for the candidates and I know there are more people who are looking to donate to the campaigns. If the camps want people to use their time to upload videos supporting their people, a little show of appreciation would go a long way especially when so many people are still looking for work. This isn't a lack of technological savvy or laziness on the public's part. It's just another of a long string of examples of out-of-touch politicians who can't put their money where their mouthes are.
