Everyone can be an "Influential"
Press Control Shift's recent post discusses Keller and Berry's book The Influentials. According to the book, an "influential" is someone who convinces other people to who convinces others to get politically engaged. According to the book 1 in 10 people are "influentials." The book includes a list of activities that a person will do if they are an "influential." According to the book they must do at least 3 of these activities to get the title, they include:
Attended a public meeting on town or school affairs Write or call a politician at the local, state or national level Serve on a committee for some local organization Serve as an officer for some club or organization Attend a political rally, speech or organized protest of any kind Write a letter to the editor or called a live radio or TV show to express their opinions Are active members of any group that tries to influence public policy or government Make a speech Work for a political party Write an article for a magazine or newspaper Held or ran for political office
I think that this list does not include many activities that could make someone an "influential."
People are constantly being influenced by everyone around them. They make political decision by not only what they hear from candidates but also from what they hear at the watercocolleagues collegues, at social events from friends, or their families political affiliations. People can do little things to be politically involved and become an "influential." Here is a list of some things I think Keller and Berry left out:
- Sign up for email updates on a candidate's website
- Post on a political blog
- Place a campaign sign on your lawn or window
- Put abumperign bumber sticker on your car
- Read a candidate's newsletter
- Talk to the people around you about politics
Everyday people are cinfluencednfleuenced by the people around them. Performing any of these activities can make you an "influential." In my opinion an "influential" is someone who seeks out political information and shares it with those around them.
3 Comments:
I haven't read the book, but I don't think that list is what necessarily makes someone influential.
Everyone has had the experience of a friend's husband or loud-mouth colleague who enters a conversation spewing bullshit. Just by the authority with which they speak, those people influence others who don't question their facts or conclusions.
I wish the most influential people in society were the best informed, but I don't think that is true. Honestly, I think it is the reverse.
I totally agree with you. Influential people can be anyone that has an idea and shares it with others. Influentials, should have strong arguments to convince other people, and they should also strongly believe his/her ideas.
It is not necessary to write an editorial on your newspaper (it might help) but it has to do with spreading the word.
I agree with the Delablogger. The fact that people all over the country take what Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh say as gospel is proof enough that the most educated are not always the msot influential. People are now drawn to talking heads who are exciting to watch rather than knowledgeable about what they are talking about. Anyone can be influential provided they have an opinion, whether it makes sense or not.
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