Faster Than a Speeding Bullet

MoveOn.org continues to use metaphors of collective intelligence to explain their strategy of often emphasizing low-budget, user-generated political ads, which are more likely to be seen on YouTube than on a traditional broadcast network. Following up on their Bush in 30 seconds contest for best anti-Bush spot, the grassroots Internet organization for small-scale contributions and modest house parties is proposing an "Obama in 30 Seconds" competition. Of course, with so many corporate brands seeking out user-generated content from willing members of the population, the implied component of direct democracy in this approach could be difficult to sustain. I'm interested in their use of the photomosaic technique, which often functions as a signifier of the body politic, as has been pointed out in Bruno Latour's volume on Making Things Public: Atmospheres of Democracy.