Al Gore, the Internet, and the Gullibility of the Populace

Isn't it scary that a public figure's words can be so utterly misrepresented, and his credibility severely damaged, EVEN WHEN HIS ORIGINAL WORDS ARE ON PUBLIC RECORD?I remember a friend of mine telling me about Gore claiming to have invented the internet about a year ago. I thought it was really funny, and it seemed appropriate somehow. The image that was propogated by his opponents (that he was some kind of wooden, preppy freak) seemed to be rounded of nicely with a surreal piece of big-ego bluster. It makes a lovely narrative arc. The fact that it wasn't true obviously didn't stop it being funny, or it being propogated all over the place.Its a seductive idea - hey, maybe even a meme - and whether it is true or not doesn't have any bearing. People WANT it to be true.Often people can get these lovely funny little ideas stuck in their head about a public figure (or a personal aquaintance for that matter). This little idea becomes all you need to know about that person. It saves time and thought. Al Gore inventing the internet is one thing, but an example closer to (my) home is the leader of the Tory party "having something of the night about him" - an oft-repeated quote that has dogged him for several years now. He's supported some pretty repulsive policies, but it really aggravates me when people go "Oh, Michael Howard? Something of the night about that one!" as though thats all that needs to be said. Its shorthand for thinking.This message has been edited by Tusko, 04-08-2005 06:41 AM

As you may have guessed, I am not really familiar with this subject, and just have what people have said on the board to go on. Maybe I am finding what Rrhain is saying persuasive because I like a good conspiracy story (very true).. but the sheer weirdness of having claimed to have created the internet - in the sense you seem to be suggesting - would make Gore to be a very deluded man, wouldn't it? A claim like that is only ever going to invite ridicule, so why make it unless you are a bit dim, or a compulsive liar, or something? (Thats not to deny that he might be one of those things).What intrigues me is that you are really certain that he didn't mean it the "sane" way. Is that because you believe him to be barking from his other actions, or is it purely because you believe the evidence to be so clear cut in this case that he could have meant nothing other than to be the designer and maker/programmer/whatever of the internet?What is your view about the open letter that those two nice fellows did saying that Gore was instrumental in promoting the internet as we know it today? Do you view that as a whopper that they cooked up after the event because they were politically or personally sympathetic to him?Just curious really. You seem really sure that he meant it the way that you think, and Rrhain has a totally different interpretation. Looks a bit like an impasse to me.

Okay, I suppose that makes sense. Like wearing a T-Shirt saying "kick me", going on TV to be smug about your brilliance when you are already seen as a bit of a Dr Smug is asking for it.Lest there be any mistake, I personally find Michael Howard pretty devoid of anything resembling cuddliness (unlike your good orange self). Incidentally: I was reading in the Observer yesterday how he is a Bryan Adams fan... terrifying.My main gripe with people who say "something of the night" is that it seems like they don't seem to have to bother about what he's saying any more, they just use it as a kind of mantra to express their distaste, like screwing up their faces, or going "eww!" or something. I think it would be much better if they actually said what it was they didn't like about his policies. They can be funny, or poetic, or whatever, but if they actually talk about substantive issues rather than use that phrase, then it looks a bit better for them. I'm only actually saying all this because I saw a guy on question time (I think) the other day just going "something of the night! Something of the night!) It was a bit embarrassing.I'd be interested to see a general election topic too. If it dies a horrible lonely death, then so be it - it was worth trying.

Okay, I'm really pathetic and can never stick to one point of view for very long. I think I'm understanding what you are arguing now, and it makes sense to me... I don't know what to think now... so I'm going to think about it a bit.