Political Videos - Have We Lost Our Sense of Humor?

I've been reviewing the IPDI's report entitled: Under the Radar and Over the Top: Online Political Videos in the 2004 Election. The report draws some interesting conclusions regarding the use of political videos online and just how far producers will go to make a point.

On one hand, the report notes that in 2004, internet politics focused primarily on the positive aspects of new technology. It mentions that "Bloggers across the political spectrum have brought unique perspectives to the campaign discourse." The report also notes however that "independently produced political videos have added a distinctly sharper edge to this year's already polarized election campaign." The report mentions that some videos went to the extreme by displaying dead babies and bloody soliders killed in the Iraq war to make a point. The report also states that 1/3 of the political videos were anti-Kerry whereas 2/3 were anti-Bush and that only the two videos produced by JibJab.com "skewered both candidates equally."

Intrigued and always up for a laugh, I visited the JibJab.com website to view their videos "This Land" and "Good to be in DC." I found them to be funny and full of creativity. The intent of the videos was to poke fun at politicians and politics in general and they succeeded.

Politics is a serious business, especially as partisanship continues to grow on both sides. We need to remember to maintain our sense of humor through all this and laugh a little, especially at ourselves.