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For news organizations, Presidential elections are about as big as it gets, so it's no wonder that many of them unveiled shiny tech tools to impress news consumers. But did widgets and effects make the news more interesting and understandable, or were they just gimmicks? Here's my quick review -- I hope you'll add yours.
Biggest gimmick: Jessica Yelliin's "holographic" stand-up on CNN. According to Gizmodo's Jason Chen, it took 35 high-definition cameras, a bank of computers in Chicago bouncing data to New York, where another bank of computers processed it, to create the illusion of Yellin giving CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer an update on the mood at Obama headquarters.
Now I used to work at Bell Labs, and I played with early 3-D holography back in 1986, so believe me, I apppreciate the "cool" factor. But for the life of me, I don't understand what that was supposed to accomplish. The traditional live shot of the reporter on the scene would have told us much more about the atmosphere in Grant Park, because we could have seen it for ourselves. Obviously, it was a ratings stunt, but if the comments on CNN's website are any indication, it backfired. Most commenters called it "lame," a "gimmick" and "obnoxious." ReelzChannel, which called it "surreal,"noted that Yellin's projected image wasn't even a real hologram.
Still, I appreciate the long-term potential of the technology, once it become less costly and the information transmitted becomes more comprehensive. Give it a couple of decades.
Despite the criticism, I'm sure CNN execs are happy to know that Wolf Blitzer led in the ratings during his two hours on air, according to Neilsen Media Reports. (via TVnewser.com)
Best use of social media: It was an idea that started at the netroots. In early October, Nancy Scola and Allison Fine proposed the Twitter Vote Report project at TechPresident. Their simple idea of having voters tweet problems at the ballot box attracted support from voter rights' groups and NPR. It's an example of the way in which some newsgathering is starting to look more-and more like grass-roots organizing.
Most useful electoral map: CNN gets points for the ease with which you can customize their map to see the results of local races.But I like MSNBC's map better -- because they had the good sense to make it a widget that includes a regularly-upsated newsfeed. (You can see it in action on my blog.) I also have to give props to TechPresident for its map that shows each state in proportion to its number of electoral votes -- making it much easier to understand the magnitude of Obama's win.
Most whimsical interactive: No contest -- the New York Times "What One Word Describes Your Current State of Mind?" was creative and illuminating. It topped Tracy Boyer's list of election-day news sites that demonstrated "innovative interactivity."
Biggest new MSM star launched by the Internet: Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com was a self-described baseball stats geek who turned his attention to vetting political polls to come up with the most reliable election projections. His blog, publiished with partner Sean Quinn became a go-to site during the campaign, and lots of people were wondering just how accurate their predictions of an Obama blowout would be. Turns out they were a tad conservative: FiveThirtyEight predicted that Obama would snag 348 electoral votes; the current tally stands at 364.
Then again, Camille Dodero at the Village Voice noted that a St. Louis streetcorner "Gum Election" poll predicted the outcome actually, too.(Voters were invited to put their gum wad on the picture of the candidate "who sucks the most.") Coincidentally, Obama and McCain fought to a dead heat in a state that went for the GOP in 2000 and 2004.
Did you have any favorite tech applications that enhanced your election night experience?
Related links:
- Robert Niles: What News Publishers Can Learn from the Obama Campaign
- Fang's Bites: Fang's Bites Election Night Coverage Awards
