It’s the message, not the medium

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The US presidential campaign has brought to the forefront the question of whether a national leader should be computer-literate. The leading candidates offer a stark contrast, with the technologically savvy Barack Obama vying with the self-described technological Neanderthal John McCain.

All else being equal (which, of course, it isn’t), the nod would seem to go to the more computer-literate candidate. But the Wall Street Journal columnist Lee Gomes (Ref. 1) questions whether some jobs might be “…too important for the office holder to be spending the day deleting spam or closing pop-up windows….”

And familiarity and involvement with technology can be a downright drawback. Al Gore in the 2000 election, for example, was ridiculed after the false accusation that he had claimed to have invented the Internet.

Of course, a successful candidate can’t be too unfamiliar with technology. President George H.W. Bush had already received his own round of ridicule during his 1992 re-election bid when he expressed amazement at a supermarket checkout scanner.

So some middle-of-the-road approach might be best. Gomes recommends that the next president spend 20 minutes a day at a computer, reading a favorite blog, visiting YouTube, or playing Spider Solitaire, if for no other reason than as “a good way to keep up with the common folk.”

That sounds arbitrary to me. I think it’s immaterial whether the next president can blog, post videos, or send e-mail. Should any of those become necessary, an assistant can contend with spam, pop-ups, and the vagaries of the operating system.

When it comes to tech savvy, I want a president who has succinctly and correctly answered the 14 questions posed by Science Debate 2008 (Ref. 2). Here are some excerpts:

• What policies will you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?
• What policies would you support to meet demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?
• What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K–12 students for the science and technology driven 21st century?
• What is your view of how science and technology can best be used to ensure national security?
• The study of earth from space can yield important information about climate change…. How would you prioritize space in your administration?
• Is it acceptable for elected officials to hold back or alter scientific reports if they conflict with their own views, and how will you balance scientific information with politics and personal beliefs in your decision making?
• What priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

As far as I’m concerned, the candidates can post their answers on the Web or carve them in stone tablets. It’s the content—not the medium—that counts.