April 2013: Social Machine Politics Are Here to Stay

Kieron O'Hara, "Social Machine Politics Are Here to Stay," IEEE Internet Computing, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 87-90, March-April 2013, doi:10.1109/MIC.2013.36 http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/MIC.2013.36 Abstract: The 2012 US elections showcased several Internet-based technologies. Much of the most influential political commentary appeared on microblogging sites, while both presidential candidates exploited the power of social media, going with the grain of modern ideas of individualistic citizenship. Barack Obama's campaign was notable for its integration of social media, analysis of big data, and offline effort, which seems to have been a key factor in an unusually close race.