What a Difference a Week Makes

This weekend, Obama told the graduates of Virginia’s Hampton University:

“You’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank all that high on the truth meter,” Obama said at Hampton University, Virginia.

“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.

He bemoaned the fact that “some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction,” in the clamor of certain blogs and talk radio outlets. [Not to mention the clamor of the MSM itself. –Ed]

“All of this is not only putting new pressures on you, it is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy.”

Last weekend, Obama told the graduates of the University of Michigan:

Still, if you’re somebody who only reads the editorial page of the New York Times, try glancing at the page of the Wall Street Journal once in a while. If you’re a fan of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, try reading a few columns on the Huffington Post website. It may make your blood boil; your mind may not be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship.

So last weekend, Obama was in his technopop cutting edge 21st century guy persona, namedropping Beck, Limbaugh, and the HuffPo. This weekend, he’s returned once again to longing for the mid-20th century days of three liberal television networks and one or two big liberal newspaper per city. Barack to the Future strikes again! (Or as the Professor writes, “From beacon of change to crabby curmudgeon in less than 16 months.”)

Incidentally, legacy journalists still love to dish the Bush #41 scanner story, even though it’s been debunked by self-described liberal truth tellers Snopes.com. Something tells me that Obama’s “iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations – none of which I know how to work” line will have an infinitely shorter half-life, except among the same alternative media that Obama would prefer to remain samizdat.

At least this week.

Related: As Roger L. Simon writes, “Attn. Steve Jobs: Obama kills the messenger.”

Tough having a high tech demassified economy run by such a top down Galbraithian kind of guy. But then, the most promiment figure on Apple’s board is arguably, even more of a top-down statist guy himself, so perhaps they’re OK with the idea.

Share this!

Enjoy reading? Share it with your friends!