Professor of Anthropology Emeritus Douglas Raybeck was interviewed for a Philadelphia Inquirer article, "Puncturing pols online," that appeared in the Sunday, April 13, issue of the paper. The piece addressed how members of the "proletariat," via Internet submissions, are helping define how a wide range of voters see the presidential candidates, in contrast to past campaigns during which opinions were formed via the quips and jokes of professional television pundits.
"People, especially young people, now have the ability to actively engage in their own vernacular," said Raybeck. "Unlike TV watchers, who feel they have no control, these people have a perceived control of the media. Perceiving that you're not at the mercy of the system, that you matter, is really an important component in anybody's ego, and these people are not going to give it up. The culture at large may have to become a little more user-friendly."
"People, especially young people, now have the ability to actively engage in their own vernacular," said Raybeck. "Unlike TV watchers, who feel they have no control, these people have a perceived control of the media. Perceiving that you're not at the mercy of the system, that you matter, is really an important component in anybody's ego, and these people are not going to give it up. The culture at large may have to become a little more user-friendly."
