The full social media election

IN the presidential elections in the US and the Philippines in 2016, it was widely held that the Trump and Duterte campaigns made better use of alternative media, especially social media, than Hillary Clinton's or Duterte's opponents. In the 2020 campaign in the US, both sides were well prepared and given my distaste for Trump and the unhinged side of his support, I did not pay attention to his social media strategy, but it was clear the Biden campaign knew what it had to do, and I assume both campaigns were well matched. The Never Trump Republicans behind the Lincoln Project had a big role too as they really hammered Trump effectively without having to promote the other side and were effective. At least it seemed that way to me.

This early in the Philippine election season, as it is supposed to still be a pre-official campaign, it seems most sides are all armed with a full alternative media and social media strategy. Alas, the strategy seems to mostly be emotional, fact-free or deficient, and without substance. I have had to snooze and unfollow many of my limited list of friends on Facebook this early. By the way, I limit my FB page to people I know so I have less than 400 contacts and my posts and page can only be accessed by friends. I can imagine what others whose social media accounts are more public and open are receiving. I suppose "the Manchurian electorate" I wrote about is already under mind control as their reposting and regurgitating the swill they are fed tells me independent thinking and discernment have given way to their Pavlovian response. Trump said he can shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose support. That is sadly true, but he should have come to the Philippines where for a large bloc of each candidates' supporters that has been true for decades. I used to think, what would a candidate need to do to lose his fanatical supporters' votes? I found out that often the answer is nothing will make them lose their support. These Pavlovian subjects are set for life. Even accusing opponents of what their candidate does is fine while approving of the same for their idol (which is often what they sycophantly call their candidate). Notice how many comment on social media after reading some usually fictitious or exaggerated testimonial to the hero — "idol."