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Is Social Media Activating or Repelling Voters This Election Cycle?

Oct 28, 2024
Morgan Sung, host of "Close All Tabs," dives into the fusion of politics and internet culture, while Sapna Maheshwari, a New York Times business reporter, dissects TikTok's role in the election. They discuss how political campaigns leverage memes and viral content to engage younger voters, and the potential pitfalls of misinformation. The conversation highlights the evolution of digital campaigning, the impact of social media on journalism, and how these platforms create echo chambers that may reinforce existing beliefs. It's an engaging look at today's political landscape!
57:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Social media campaigns have evolved significantly, transforming from static webpages in the 1990s to dynamic engagement tools today.
  • TikTok's influence on political discourse has attracted younger voters, positioning it as a vital platform for political messages and discussions.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Political Campaigning Online

Political campaigns have undergone significant changes in how they utilize the internet and social media. The 1990s marked the bronze age, characterized by static campaign websites. The Obama campaign represents a renaissance in digital strategy, innovating ways to engage voters through social media. The 2016 election is described as the industrial revolution of memes, where social media began to interact dynamically with political campaigns, transforming them into platforms of influence and virality.

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