Typical: old dogs, new tricks.

Consider this post the rolled up newspaper that’s used to swat a dog across its snout after the pooch takes a shit in the middle of the kitchen floor. This time the kitchen floor is the interweb. And the steaming, coiled, noxious piece of shit is the first ever Presidential Twitter debate — which features no presidential candidates.

Nope. Just some Obama and McCain staffers armed with Treos (couldn’t even get iPhones –not even the old ones!) are participating in a four-day online debate. Moderated by some professor of tech and culture and O.G. Wonkette/new editor at Radar Ana Marie Cox.

As you all know, Tweets can only be 140 characters long. Here’s a sample response to John McCain’s intern about his fiscal plan:

Priorities:1) $ for R&D>>tax breaks for hedge fund managers;2) S&T ed. programs>>tax breaks for oil companies

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of my soul screaming. I know folks are trying in earnest to get some cutting edge fusion going with the presidential election and social media but this type of trash misses the point entirely. Much like the youtube debates, having staff serve as gatekeepers to mediate content subverts the entire point of social media. It’s about being instant, spontaneous, and accessible.

Nothing about filming a talking snowman or having some intern text message you about universal health care enriches the political process. It’s just a ham handed exercise in repackaging. The word wide web really does provide a grassroots challenge to both establishment politics and mainstream media — but not when it’s so cheaply used. The smartest baby boomer I know said this about the rise of New Media in politics

Authentic Web-driven power surfaces most dramatically when online communities exercise collective accountability over institutions and individuals that were once invulnerable to instantaneous public reaction and feedback.

Put another way — in a 140 characters or less:

“If you claim to be a social media expert and you only use social media to talk about social media… you’re no expert.” Tim Siedell via Twitter.

related: FAILURE.

for more things bouncy and graphic go here.

Worship!

 Via cute overload

Mr. Obama was not thrilled with a campaign slogan, “Change We Can Believe In,” that was unveiled last September. And he did not initially like the campaign’s blue and white logo — intended to appear like a horizon, symbolizing hope and opportunity — saying he found it too polished and corporate.

“He made his concern clear, but said, ‘We have bigger fish to fry here,’ ” recalled David Axelrod, the campaign’s chief strategist who was behind the logo’s design. “That’s one of his talents, his ability to distinguish between things that are absolutely essential and things that aren’t. He’ll give you some latitude based on your expertise.” — NYT, Obama as a delegator

Yet another thing Barrack and I agree on! That logo belongs on a disposable enema package. But I think Barry would dig this one though:

Hello Lovers!

I’ve been in work-travel land for like, EVER. Lots of neat changes coming up. We’ll keep you posted. Its 1:57 EST and I haven’t done a lick of work. Yeehaw.

Weezer? They’re still at it? I figured they gave up the ghost in 1997 and moved to Wisconsin where they played bars disguised as a pretty good Weezer cover band called “Weezokay”. I’m impressed with their charicatures of Leave Britney Alone guy and the Numa Numa dancin’ fat dude, but I don’t think this one’s going viral anytime soon.

Anyways, if you grew up with Weezer like we did, you’ll be happy to know they’re still alive. Spuds MacKenzie is really dead, though.

Here he is putting a pair of panties in his mouth. Further evidence that true genius must come with a measure of insanity.

Russian spy technology just ain’t what it used to be in the glorious era of the vast Soviet Empire.

Yesterday the internets exploded with this clip of Insider Edition-era Bill O’Reilly–beloved pundit, writer of both terrible non-fiction and terrible fiction, and noted pervert–having a meltdown over what appears to be ignorance of the phrase “play us out”. Apparently Bill was alseep when they taught that phrase in journalism school, and also has never watched any television journalism, including his own show, ever.

Watch Bill’s hair at 1:06, where it seems to become so frightened at his violent tirade that it appears to be attempting to crawl off his scalp and go hide.

Poor Bill. It’s not easy living your life on teevee, warts and all. Let’s send him a conciliatory falafel basket.

Things I Did Last Night

epic.