Give Democracy a Chance

Maybe this country still has the opportunity to become a true democracy--and not just act democrazy.

For years, some of us have been inspired by the the potential that Internet and technology provides to give voice to the little guy and empower him or her to create and market their own projects and ideas.

In an extension of that, or maybe an evolution of that, Current.com has been teaming up with Twitter for project. Hack the Debate lets Twitter users add their tweet messages over the top of the live debate broadcast. Pretty cool idea. Distracting, I think, if you're actually trying to watch the debate, but a great idea and vehicle to encourage conversation.

Now, Hulu.com is getting in on the action by live-streaming the debate. This cements the position of online video (and Hulu) as a powerful mode of delivering digital content, but it also extends viewership to huge numbers of people that may otherwise not be able to watch the debate. Like people at work on the West Coast or workers on late shifts, kids holed up in their rooms, folks with family members that might not be interested in the debate and will be watching reality TV instead, college peeps and others without a television--(these people do exist!)--and international audiences. The greater access there is to information, but the better the odds that we can have an informed, educated, and involved society.

This is why I love technology. Because, if we change our attidudes and behavoirs, it truly offers a way for all of us to be lifted up.