Due to social media, I prayed for Anna to have the grace of god with her this morning. I did not feel like I was damaging the fabric of our country by my simple action. So, I was surprised to learn our president laments that the new media is not “a tool of empowerment.” I translate his words to mean that such things are not yet a tool of his empowerment. If you haven’t seen his comments, here they are:
BlackBerry-loving President Barack Obama declared war on technology, singling out Apple’s super-popular iPods and iPads for criticism at a commencement ceremony in Virginia, the New York Post reported Monday.
Obama — whose election was credited in part to his skillful use of modern media, from smartphones to Twitter to Flickr — on Sunday told college graduates that high-tech gizmos and apps were straining American democracy.
“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 at Hampton University in southeastern Virginia.
Obama described the most popular offerings of companies like Apple, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo as distractions that are putting unnecessary pressure on the country.
Obama also lamented the spread of social media and blogs, through which “some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction.”
“All of this is not only putting new pressures on you,” Obama said. “It is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy.” – FoxNews
Do you think patriots should drop their iPads?
Jean-Luc says:
It’s not the first time President Obama shares his scepticism about 2.0 technologies and social medias : last September he warned American youth about the dangers of Facebook and Youtube and the way they could easily lose control of their personal information on the Internet. Recently, Google CEO Eric Schmidt also criticized bloggers community when, addressing the American Society of News Editors, he said : “There is an art to what you do. And if you’re ever confused as to the value of newspaper editors, look at the blog world. That’s all you need to see.” A little puzzling coming from one of the largest blog hosting platform (read Blogger)…
May 10, 2010 — 9:37 am
Scott Cowan says:
Really? He really said this…..
I want to be really shocked to hear that the man who was elected because he was wired into Web 2.0 would say this. Yet, it is just another in the attacks on freedom of information. I will acknowledge that I voted for him and one of the reasons I made that decision was because I believed he wanted transparency for government. This along with a growing list of other statements and actions have caused me to regret the decision I made.
I really have a difficult time thinking that Mario or Zelda could be threats to our national security. And the terrorists with iPads??? Please no terrorist would use a device without USB would they? I hope my little comment here gains traction just like he fears it will. Somehow I doubt it will though. =)
May 10, 2010 — 10:26 am
don sheridan says:
Is it American innovation that scares the President. Or is it freedom? I have a hard time with what he sayx.
May 10, 2010 — 11:41 am
Jeff Brown says:
I wonder how long it’ll take for the 18-30 crowd, to realize they’re put a fox in the henhouse? This is fun to watch, and will get better the more he realizes the tide is not only turning against him, but may indeed soon be a tsunami.
Carter must be chuckling in the background, as his ‘worst president’ moniker is about to change owners.
May 10, 2010 — 12:00 pm
Brian Brady says:
This is proof positive that the one thing we can be certain about “Progressives” is that they’re not…
…progressive
May 10, 2010 — 2:38 pm
Susan Zanzonico says:
Concerning statements indeed. I agree with you Jeff…its approaching a tsunami alright.
May 10, 2010 — 3:23 pm
Alex Cortez says:
His comments are particularly funny, given that his election was fueled by new media. Progressive? Regressive…
May 11, 2010 — 1:54 am
jp says:
at least with Carter, I got to brew beer at home…
May 11, 2010 — 3:18 am
Benjamin Dona says:
What’s really funny is this ego maniac actually believes that only his truth will set us all free.
May 11, 2010 — 7:42 am
Keahi Pelayo says:
The Obamanator further exhibits his self centered view of the world, he doesn’t know about something therefore it must be bad.
Aloha,
Keahi
May 11, 2010 — 12:19 pm
Tim Shepard says:
Obama doesn’t like blogging and social media because it provides all Americans with a platform to exercise their right to free speech. In his mind, anyone that does not agree with his opinion, is crazy.
How crazy is that?
May 11, 2010 — 7:17 pm
Mike says:
Let’s see, a Fox News report that references a New York Post story that takes an innocuous comment in a commencement speech and makes it sound like Obama is anti-technology…
If you want a ‘fair and balanced’ report on what he said it’s here:
http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/49709-deconstructing-president-obama%E2%80%99s-ipad-apparent-rejection
May 11, 2010 — 9:43 pm
Al Lorenz says:
@Mike: I don’t know that your link is any more “fair and balanced.” In fact, they seem to be twisting Obama’s words to meaning things he may, or may not have meant. From the article: “Obama’s core point appeared to be…
Don’t you think Obama should be able to make his core point by stating it clearly? Or, should we just take his words at their meaning?
May 12, 2010 — 2:37 pm
Jean-Luc says:
I agree that the words he chose leave room for interpretation. Don’t throw away your ipad yet.
May 19, 2010 — 7:42 am