The Grass is Consistently Greener in the Halls of Congress

The grass root strategy has rapidly evolved as E-mail and social networking sites made connecting idealogical groups to people simpler and faster. This tool hasn't been over looked by the government, who has used the principles of grassroots in order to rally opposition in a process known as "astroturfing". This artificial form of grassroots support succeeds in gathering people, however this form of networking does not create a cohesive group of like minded people, instead it acts as an instant mob.

This instant mob offers a unique tool for the two party system of government, but it is a gross misuse of the power of social networks. Astroturfing creates a fake protest, full of sound and fury but with little substance, as Clay Spinuzzi article quotes these groups are, " a vast coalition of extremely different, and even contradictory, interests and values, from the battalions of the American labor movement to the swarms of eco-pacifists, environmentalists, women's groups, and a myriad of alternative groups, including the pagan community". So What do these groups really accomplish?

As members of a new society based in technology that allows us to express our ideas and beliefs freely, what do groups of mixed activists acting as attack dogs do to that system? The general issues that bring these unrelated groups together are astroturfing's sole saving grace. Overarching subjects, like healthcare and taxes, my only be political talking points to the politicians, and the members of these "protest groups" may only be acting as a mob, but if real, positive change can come from astroturfing it can't be all bad.

Irregardless of these slight pros, the loss of respect that comes with being so easily used as political pawns hampers the blogger's ability to create change within the specific issues that these groups represent. Activist and protest groups should function as independent units, instead of manipulated tools for political parties. The only way for us to make our voices mean something is by speaking with conviction, instead of speaking for generalities.