Comments on: Age of Awareness: Obama & Gen Y

By: Best of 2008: GenPink 2.0 - GenPink

Best of 2008: GenPink 2.0 - GenPink — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:47:59 +0000

[...] Age of Awareness – Obama & Gen Y: Do you think Obama’s use of technology and the internet will bridge a communication gap between generations? [...]

By: Kat

Kat — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:21:34 +0000

I think that there’s a divide between our generation and some of the old fogies in the GOP. Obama was energetic, and wasn’t interested in re-trying the old ways that didn’t work. He was progressive. While I do think that some Gen-Yers voted based on which candidate was more exciting, I think that a lot of us were also using all our technology and mass communication skills to read up on all the candidates. I think most of us were informed.

Sure, part of it may have been because Obama could “talk” to our Generation and get us involved, instead of just seeming like a parental unit chastising us on how badly behaved we’re being, but I actually think that the reason he got so much of our vote was because almost all of us thought he was the best man for the job.

By: Emma

Emma — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:51:59 +0000

The real question is…why hasn’t Obama updated his Twitter feed since the election? Was he only “reaching out” to get elected? I hope not

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:29:39 +0000

I agree with your reasons on why people should vote BUT I have to congratulate Obama on engaging the masses around politics; and I think, in large part, we have to thank his non-traditional approach to media for this. It’s sort of a secondary fact that he picked up the Gen Y vote, I’ll be their first objective was to awaken the masses in terms of voter participation. I think Gen Y, just now at voting age, is the most likely to jump on board when any brand says “engage.” Think about the Boomers or Xers – cynical and perhaps more set in their ways, not as likely as Gen Y to try something new or jump on the engagement train even IF they’ve been asking for something to believe in in a while, they’re lazier and less accessible. And i’m curious where you found the article from the AP?

On another note: I hope to see you at the next Likemind! December 5 – mark your calendar girl!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:21:40 +0000

The people you would expect to make intelligent voting decisions did make intelligent voting decisions. But in the process of making voting the “cool thing to do” with Rock the Vote, other celebrities speaking out, and various other tools to try to help people understand that it is a right and a privilege, I do think that some Gen Yers probably looked at this election and thought they finally had someone they could vote for in Obama. But why? Obama’s policies aren’t much different from any other democrats–there was definitely an ex factor going on, and because of the internet buzz, some people were very influenced no only by Obama on Twitter, but other Obama supporters on Twitter, and blogs, and social networks. And in the ultimate example of unintelligent voting, Lindsay Lohan was interviewed asking why this election was so important to her, and she had no answer besides, “It’s great to be a part of the country during the election of our first colored president.”

Not that this isn’t true in EVERY election, but some people did not vote intelligently, and I do think that Obama’s ability to speak to our generation tipped that percentage of votes, whatever it was, in his direction.

By: Rebee

Rebee — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:16:04 +0000

Agreed. And in all honesty, I hope that people voted for other reasons besides, “He seems more hip than McCain.” Just as you said: “Iâ€™d like to hope that political beliefs are not based on what form the Presidential advertisements come in.” I completely agree with this. I think there are lots of reasons to vote for or against a particular candidate, but I don’t know if this is or should be one of them.