Slashdot Mirror


The Strangest Online Political Challenges of 2007

destinyland writes "Blorgable has a list the year's ten strangest online political moments arguing that 2007 was the year digital identities started encroaching into the culture. While the U.S. Senate was busy fighting cartoon-related digital terrorism with 'The Terrorist Hoax Improvements Act of 2007,' Ann Coulter's web page ended up 'mistakenly' announcing her retirement after someone hacked it! But the unpredictable changes were sometimes deadly serious. Even the mainstream media noticed 'the ghosts of MySpace' — those U.S. soldiers whose web pages ultimately outlived them."

3 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Stephen Colbert for President! by Gertlex · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I personally found the Facebook group that sprung up supporting Stephen Colbert's presidential candidacy to be, mayhaps not strange, but certainly "rad," and a bit outrageous. It gained 1 million group members in under 10 days (and peaked at 1.5 million around the time that Colbert called it quits).

    1. Re:Stephen Colbert for President! by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I can't remember if it was Plato or Aristotle who said it, but one of the two said that the people who want to be rulers are more often than not just in it for their own glory, not to advance the civilization, and are generally the last people you'd want in power. He said that the most qualified people should be forced into positions of power, even if they don't want the position. I don't know how qualified Colbert would be (likely better than some political leaders I won't name), or even if its a good idea or not, but I always think of that sentiment whenever the topic of Colbert's campaign comes up.

  2. My idea by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've often considered starting an online political movement known as 'The Apathy Party.' I would advocate a party for the apathetic, by the apathetic, and by that I mean me. Everyone able to vote who didn't would automatically be considered of a member of the Apathetic Party, therefore I'd get their vote. If that's legal, I'd win the election for sure. If its not, well, I suppose maybe it would convince a few people to get out there, read up on the candidates, and vote.