How the Internet is Changing Politics | Vinay Nayak | TEDxKingsCollegeLondon

Summary

This powerful script highlights the inspiring story of 9-year-old Ashan Johnson, who boldly spoke out against the closure of his school in Chicago. It reflects on how young people, often feeling voiceless or powerless, can find empowerment through modern tools like the internet. Using the 2012 Obama campaign as a case study, the speaker illustrates how digital platforms allow youth to influence political discourse, amplify their voices, and drive real-world change. The internet is portrayed as a 'new microphone' for activism, giving the next generation the power to shape the future of politics and society.

Takeaways

• 😀 A 9-year-old boy, Ashan Johnson, spoke out against school closures in Chicago, demonstrating the power of youth activism.
• 😀 Young people are increasingly using the internet and social media as tools to make their voices heard in political discussions.
• 😀 The internet is a modern 'microphone' that allows young people to engage in politics and influence public opinion.
• 😀 The 2012 Obama campaign successfully utilized social media to reach young voters, breaking through traditional political communication methods.
• 😀 Social media platforms are controlled by youth, giving them the power to decide which political messages are amplified.
• 😀 The political system often feels disconnected from the lived experiences of everyday people, especially youth.
• 😀 Politicians must engage with young people on social media, where they are most active, to effectively communicate and gain support.
• 😀 Social media enables the youth to shape political content, both by creating and sharing positive messages and by rejecting negative content.
• 😀 The use of social media for political engagement led to tangible results, including higher youth voter turnout and increased voter registrations.
• 😀 Young people have a responsibility to use the internet to give feedback to political leaders and ensure their voices are heard.
• 😀 The online world and real-world political engagement are intertwined, and the internet can directly influence offline political outcomes.

Q & A

Who is Ashan Johnson and why is he significant in the script?

Ashan Johnson is a 9-year-old boy from Illinois who became significant in the script for speaking out against the closure of his school and others in Chicago. His act of standing up and addressing the crowd highlights the power of young voices in politics and social change.

What does the speaker reflect on regarding their own childhood?

The speaker reflects on their own childhood feeling shy, voiceless, and powerless, contrasting it with the bold actions of young activists like Ashan Johnson. This personal reflection helps underscore the importance of empowering youth to speak out.

How does the speaker view the current political system?

The speaker views the political system as being disconnected from the voices of young people, with a focus on money, corruption, and secrecy. This perception contributes to a sense of powerlessness and isolation among many citizens.

What is the role of the internet in empowering young people according to the speaker?

The internet, particularly social media, is seen as a new 'microphone' that empowers young people to engage in politics. It allows them to amplify their voices, share messages, and engage with political discourse in ways that were not possible before.

What example from the 2012 Obama campaign does the speaker provide to illustrate the power of online engagement?

The speaker provides the example of Barack Obama engaging with the Reddit community through an 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session. This direct engagement with young people on a platform they created helped reinforce the importance of connecting with voters where they are.

What are the two ways in which the internet works as a political microphone for young people?

First, social media is dominated by young voices, meaning politicians must engage with these platforms to communicate with younger audiences. Second, young people act as gatekeepers for political messaging, deciding what content gets amplified online.

What was the significance of President Obama's AMA on Reddit?

President Obama's AMA on Reddit was significant because it represented a shift in political communication, where a sitting president directly engaged with a younger, tech-savvy audience on their own terms, gaining their trust and support.

What does the speaker mean by 'positive content' in political campaigns?

The speaker refers to 'positive content' as messages about candidates or causes that are uplifting and optimistic, rather than negative content that attacks opponents. Positive content tends to resonate better with young people and is more likely to be shared on social media.

How does the speaker view the relationship between the online world and real-world political action?

The speaker believes that the online world and real-world political action are deeply interconnected. Online engagement can lead to tangible results, such as voter registrations and increased youth voter turnout, showing that digital activism can influence real-world outcomes.

What responsibility does the speaker believe young people have in the political system?

The speaker believes that young people have the responsibility to use their voices and online platforms to influence political discourse, providing feedback to representatives and shaping the future of politics.