robert_cringely
Columnist

Tubular debates

analysis
Jul 23, 20072 mins

Tonight we will see the future of democracy, and it will look a lot like badly lit cat videos. Starting at around 7 pm eastern, eight Democratic candidates for president will be answering questions posed by the citizens of these United States via YouTube. Of course, CNN is cherry picking the questions from the 2300 submitted, so don't expect any paranoid expletive-filled rants (AKA, the videos I submitted). Beca

Tonight we will see the future of democracy, and it will look a lot like badly lit cat videos. Starting at around 7 pm eastern, eight Democratic candidates for president will be answering questions posed by the citizens of these United States via YouTube. Of course, CNN is cherry picking the questions from the 2300 submitted, so don’t expect any paranoid expletive-filled rants (AKA, the videos I submitted).

Because at least 90 percent of our elected officials are technologically impaired, I thought I’d help them prep for tonight’s video scrum. Here are some questions that could well be asked.

Should Mentos and Diet Coke be declared the national soft drink?

Is ObamaGirl, like, totally hot, or what?

In 25 words or less, please define the word “Macaca.”

There has been a terrorist attack on the United States. You are locked in a secure, undisclosed location and you can only watch one YouTube video. Would you pick the Star Wars Kid with the light saber, or the fat guy lip synching to the “Numa Numa” song?

Please select one of the following choices. The Internet is a) a dump truck, b) a series of tubes, c) kind of like the telegraph, only with porn.

To the best of your recollection, are you now or have you ever been a member of AOL?

I have an important question I want to um ask and you know I’m like totally not sure which one of you should answer so I’d like to open it up to, um, everyone on the dais — is that the right word? I’m a little frazzled because I went shopping today and like the stores were totally crowded and it was like a total scene you know? And I just got barely got home in time… So, whatever, I’d like to know , if you died and got a chance to be reincarnated as an animal, what kind of cat would you want to be. I kind of like orange tabbies I had one named snuffles that died and it was so sad but — oh, I’m sorry, my time is up. I just want to say you guys rock especially Obama. Love you! Bye!!!!!!!

Our country may never be the same.

Are the YouTube debates a turning point in our techno-democracy or just a ratings gimmick? Vote your conscience below or email me here. Top tipsters qualify for cool swag.