Comments on Minter Dialogue Blog: Obamania Worldwide - The Dreams & The Reality

Much appreciated all your comments. @Brad, my com...

2008-11-29T11:50:00.000+01:00

Much appreciated all your comments.

@Brad, my comment on the recidivist tendency was a reflection of what others here were saying about McCain. But in general, it is true that in "tough times" you tend to go back to what you know best. As far as what works for the economy in this period of crisis, I plead innocent at the moment in light of the changing tectonic plates. One thing is for sure, this crisis will definitely impact our behaviour en masse.

@Betty: nice to hear about some real work on the ground!

@Kathy: politicians are now all adept at working on the symbolic imagery behind each speech in its content and context (Saakashvili is major example).

And, particularly enjoyed your comments and quips on the links between hems and the economy. Whether it is a cyclical phenomenon or not, we all need to dream and hope -- for at least a part of our time and certainly as part of our childhood!

I remember my first communications class in cegep ...

2008-11-22T03:43:00.000+01:00

I remember my first communications class in cegep dumstruck that when Reagan is being filmed and the scenery is of perfect blue sky and lush trees with a perfectly flapping flag in the background that this is not just capturing the moment but staged by publicists and campaign teams. Ever since I’ve been obsessed with the careful inspection of photos to find the x marks the spot on stage. Looking for all the visual cues, so carefully captured in the frame for effect. I tend to delight in the staging. I’ve moved passed criticism of this seeming manipulation and believe that the public like a good reader actively participates in the suspension of disbelief if it’s well done.

While I don’t know my political platforms or what plans are truly good for the economy I do know that Obama has re-awakened American myth making. Maybe it’s that the shorter the history the easier to identify and align a cohesive unwavering myth. I think it’s a paper waiting to happen, how Obama skillfully tapped into all the American touch points; manifest destiny, the dream, the frontier…

To be fair you can’t of anyone or anything make a symbol. Sure you can stage, dress with all the right cultural references, be endorsed by celebrities with flapping flags in tow but there still has to be that vital ingredient that makes us adamant about the belief- willing participants in the suspension. It has to come, even if in a small dose, with that ingredient we identify as authenticity. In our information saturated world, where cynicism and skepticism is a form of protection we still all want to believe which is why authenticity is our communications world greatest currency. As soon as we feel it, even if its just a dash (like truffle its enough) instantly, viscerally identified we’re relieved because the questioning, the critiquing gets exhausting in its reminder that as much as we want to its just missing that something to bring us over to the other side.

Enough of my rambling and on to my point…

Minter, when you write “don’t you find it symbolic” the link of the fortysomethings from an era that by all rights should breed progressive leaders, the remarkable events only two days after the election, I think that captures it perfectly. Like the cycle of democratic office (which I don’t know much about), like the cycle of fashion (which, much to my parents chagrin, I know too much about) we too live cultural cycles. As we enter this economic downturn, environmental instability, after an era of “me” and borderline scientific fundamentalism, I think we’re at the dip in the cycle and that the situation is such that we’re ready for that unscientific almost mystical thing called hope. At the end of the day no matter how hard we try to rationalize I think we all love a good dose of meaning, where nothing is coincidence and everything is connected. And so to address the title of your post “the dreams and the reality”, lets hope (no pun intended) that for the next little while, the dreams will dictate and not the other way around. I think we all saw a window for change after 9/11 and for some reason it didn’t take. Authenticity anyone? Now that we have a second chance maybe we’re ready to claim it. Missing ingredient, check.

Then again, to draw a parallel from the fashion cycle… This week I got into a debate with a friend on whether there is a link between fashion and the economy (we all know of the famed 20’s hemline). After a lot of back and forth, my friend observantly concluded and exclaimed “you know why we’re doing long pants and skirts this season?! Because we did short one’s last season. We just needed something new that wasn’t done recently.”

Great, thoughtful piece.

2008-11-18T06:23:00.000+01:00

Great, thoughtful piece.

I was thoroughly impressed by the Obama campaign. ...

2008-11-17T21:22:00.000+01:00

I was thoroughly impressed by the Obama campaign. I called them a few times to discuss my concerns of the moment (excess leverage in the markets, particularly the commodities market, which was really hurting the little guy)-- way back during the primaries before it was being discussed).... recently about to get the housing market going you need to guarantee realtors who bring buyers to foreclosures or short sales their commission and it cannot take weeks for the banks to make a decision.... otherwise we will have our clients look elsewhere if it means getting paid 1% instead of 3%.... The system that they have in place is extremely well organized and a live voice picks up on the phone and emails are returned. I also pointed out the part that McCain had said "the economy is not my strong suit" and the next week the ads were out!! I think he has an amazing approach to the job that will hopefully serve us all well. We can all be once again proud to be Americans....

I agree on your two main points - that Obama has s...

2008-11-17T16:33:00.000+01:00

I agree on your two main points - that Obama has succeeded in restoring hope over cynicism, and that he will have a very difficult time maintaining that momentum in a very difficult environment that is largely out of his control. It will also be very interesting to see which of his promised policies he actually adopts, given that many of them (trade restrictions, abolition of secret ballots for employee unionization votes, carbon taxes) would likely exacerbate the current downturn. I also have to disagree with the characterization of the alternative as 'recidivist' given that the opposing ticket was led by the most vocal and effective critic of the current administration that their party had to offer.

So while I (along with your voters) applaud the symbolism of a definitive 'rupture' from the past, and share their admiration for a truly remarkable person in our future president, I remain gravely concerned about the mis-match between his stated policy approach and the needs of the country - particularly in areas fundamental to the economy.

I believe it is a tremendous opportunity for a new...

2008-11-16T22:03:00.000+01:00

I believe it is a tremendous opportunity for a new start for the US with so much influence elsewhere...
There's plenty of excitement and when that is over the tough measures will come, let's hope it works!

I like the web 2.0 part!

All well spoken. No complaints or corrections. N...

2008-11-16T15:26:00.000+01:00

All well spoken. No complaints or corrections. Never has a president faced such a pile of crap on his desk the first day but I believe he will get it done.

Thanks for the link to yr O-mania post. Really hop...

2008-11-16T15:20:00.000+01:00

Thanks for the link to yr O-mania post. Really hopeful, hopefully real!