They're Just Not That Into the Internet

Despite the craze of the internet during this Presidential race, some people just aren't into it. In a New York Times article last week, Julie Bosman looks at some Iowa caucus-goers who use traditional means of getting political information and opinions. Retired art historian Jean M. James of Iowa says she "can't be bothered" with things like blogs or YouTube, and a lawyer in Iowa says online commentary on politics just "never seemed important" to him.

Bosman attributes this to the fact that Iowa's population is generally older and more rural than average. Though they're not involved with the internet, they're still very involved in politics. Older people avidly watch television or read newspapers, and farmers listen to talk radio on their tractors.

With all the frenzy surrounding this new kind of political communication online, it can sometimes be difficult to imagine the perspective of voters who still rely on traditional media. We have to remember that while the internet is a good way for politicians to spread their message to a broad audience and gain support from young people, traditional media is still what dominates politics and determines votes in the end.