Complexity and Social Networks Blog

"These little exchanges, I think, are the microscopic civic foundations of a democracy."

I think you are right. And they point back to yours just earlier: the impact of a neighbor, rather than carpet-bagger, soliciting your vote.

And it also puts in larger relief: How do those 'geographic' - physical - connections compare with what we think are new connections but at a physical distance, on the web? If one is 'more real,' how do we describe that, and compare?

I also think this is true for some elections (this one) though I am not sure the exchanges are always there and they often can be downright hostile. Having been a sign holder at many elections including the recent local Mayoral race in Quincy MA, the sign holders were respectful but kept their distance. No cross-talk where I was located.

One candidate was backed by the police, firemen and teachers as he was seen as supporting their efforts for wage increases and no increases in health insurance co-pays. The other candidate and incumbent had a run-in with the teachers as he wanted to avoid a tax increase. He had a lot of home owner backing.

The little bit of dialog that took place in public debates was shrill. The debates held online and in letters to the editor was quite contentious with neither side giving much ground.
Outside the polls each side seemed conscious of not antagonizing the other as the months of campaigning had built up a lot of pressure.

If you supported the incumbent you were seen as against firemen, policemen and teachers. Those groups were intimidating for many.

My lawn sign was dug up and tossed in the street twice and once replaced with the other candidate's sign.

None of it was very edifying.

It would take me a week to outline what it was like at the Statehouse during votes on the gay marriage amendment.