Obama’s Use of PMDs

President Barack Obama broke several barriers upon becoming the forty-fourth leader of the United States of America. Obamas’ triumphs have a wide range of significance but none more important than the fact that he managed to break down the barrier between American voters and their personal sending and receiving devices.

Before the 2008 presidential race between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, personal computers, cell phones, and personal media devices (PMDs) were used to maintain connections with peers, friends, and employerst. When Barack Obama ran for president, all of these devices were suddenly transformed into platforms for receiving political updates on his campaign affairs through e-mail, text messaging, and live video feeds.

I appreciated Obama’s campaign tactics as a first-time voter who is constantly on the go and does not have much time to sit down and read a news paper or watch television. If it was not for his constant use of interactive media outlets such as e-mail, text messaging, and video posting, it is quite possible he would have failed to get the attention of first-time voters across the nation since we have become so-well acquainted with hyperlink information that we sometimes do not pay attention to other media outlets that we do not have time for.

The issue which Barack Obama must realize is that some barriers which people
put up towards others, political figures in particular, are meant to keep some sentiments of personal property for non-public access. By invading our PMDs Obama may have created a tension which was not previously present. Although his use of interactive media keeps the American people abreast of his political activities, I am not so sure that the American people want continuous political updates every day on their PMDs.

People of twenty-first century who use cell phones, personal computers, and other forms of personal media are better-equipped to receive breaking news than those who still use the morning newspaper and evening news coverage from their local television networks may. Obama has revolutionized the position of President of The United States with this tactic, but I am skeptical about whether or not the American people want political updates on their PMDs. The key word is in the title of a “Personal Media Device” is “Personal.” When something is “personal” to someone, that usually entails notions of individuality within the object. If another person invades the object which was at one point personal and unique to the individual’s needs, then odds are that the invader of the other’s personal device will be looked upon with harsh eyes. My suggestion for President Obama is to ease up on how much you are contacting people through their PMDs if you don’t want them to get too annoyed with you.

David Lewis

Wilkes University 11'

23 March 2009