DISQUS

Jeremiah Owyang · 1 year ago

Funny rant. As stupid a question it may seem, perception is everything in this marketing/campaign battle. Thanks for bringing a good perspective to this.

Jay Cuthrell · 1 year ago

Even in the US today, your barcode reader example means very little to those that farm and shop exclusively in small town America and/or local shops that are cash and carry. It may shock you to know there are -lots- of places that are not big box retail or even modernized retail. One may posit your own rant as being indicative of your lack of understanding "ordinary".

The fact you somehow perpetuate the +15 year old story of Bush (he was a head of CIA for gosh sakes!!!) and the barcode scanner is a bit at odds with taking this post seriously. At best, you are passing along derivatives that push an agenda or reflection of those in power as being out of touch -- how banal.

Back to my prior point -- granted, +15 years ago the barcode was more amazing than it is now. That said, the self checkout line at any big box retail operation shows that many "modern and ordinary" folks have no clue how it works beyond the magic and placement of said codes where the mirrors and laser scanning will hit it.

Andrew Feinberg · 1 year ago

Ok, so you can use a computer but you shop at a small grocery store? Fine. You still see the distinction, though. One question: How am I "perpetuating" anything? The incident happened. Years later, we're being asked if a candidate's ability to understand and operate a different, more complex machine is a relevant factor in determining his fitness to serve.

Perhaps you misread my post the first time.

The ability to use a computer in and of itself isn't indicative of fitness to be President. In the greater context, it's about being able to do things ordinary Americans have to do themselves. Did you know that the Federal government is putting most forms for pensions, benefits, etc online? If McCain wants to get Social Security, he'd need to get to a computer. Same with the mother who needs food stamps. And so on and so forth.

The question we should be asking is: What aspects of everyday life are elected officials insulated from that they need to experience in order to understand the challenges facing Americans?

Jay Cuthrell · 1 year ago

One answer: http://www.snopes.com/history/american/bushscan...

Perhaps I did not misread your post.

I'm not sure where you are going with the "fitness" in any way shape or form. What does a computer have to do with anything? Where are you trying to take the argument exactly?

Yes, I'm quite aware of the PRA and derivative works that flow along e-gov lines of reasoning and the coupling of "digital divide" programs in parallel. Again, I am struggling to understand where you are taking the argument.

Are you saying that paper forms in triplicate requiring people to drive or otherwise be sequestered or queue for the privilege of dealing with a person as the -only- means of accessing government benefits and programs is the better path?

The question you should be asking is why you didn't just put in -that- single question instead of attempting to sub-reference and thereby conflate dubious facts with flat opinion.

We don't require leaders to be ex-military.

We don't require leaders to pass an IQ test.

We don't require leaders to be anything other than polarizing individuals that muster the support and minds of those that seek to be governed.

What, pray tell, does knowing how to "get online" have do with anything?

Or put another way, do you think James Buchanan should have been table to send out his own telegraphs by his own hand?

Andrew Feinberg · 1 year ago

I think if telegraphs were in every home it would have been helpful for him to know Morse Code. Understanding of the tools and resources used in everyday life is key to being able to lead. Think slumlords being sentenced to live in their own buildings, or Mark Cuban working at Dairy Queen.

You need to be able to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Jay Cuthrell · 1 year ago

Your use of "everyday life" is where I am going to continue having a disconnect.

Slumlords? What??

Also, Mark Cuban didn't emerge from the womb as a billionaire. Cuban's ability to lead a nation would be at odds with his own personal wealth potential and I expect he can do more for broadband in the private sector hammering on "leaders" of the nation.

vinnie · 1 year ago

The largest bloc of voters in this country (AARP/old people) don't understand anything about computers and frankly computers scare them. I don't see why McCain, a 71 year old lifer in politics, is being held to another standard.

As to whether or not the president should be able to check email, I think so, but really if he can effectively run the world some other way I'm not going to hold it against him.

Finally, regarding Owyang...analysts at firms like Gartner and Forrester are paid big money to ask stupid obvious questions. This is nothing new.