On 4 November at the "race that stops a nation" - the Melbourne Cup - two horses, including the favourite, died. In the news the following day the usual fashion and celebrity coverage was eclipsed by discussion, headed by animal rights groups, on the danger and cruelty of horse racing. This is a classic example of how the world is changing. Horse racing, the indomitable "Sport of Kings" is subject to attack from well organised media and social media savvy pressure groups. On 5 November, US citizens took to the polling booths to vote for the country's senate. Here too, social media played a crucial part. Unlike Australia where voting is compulsory, US voting is both voluntary and on a work day. You do, however, have the choice to vote in advance. Well organised by social media drives, many US churches adopted a "Souls to Polls" campaign where, after church services on the Sunday preceding voting, congregations walked, or were bussed to local polling stations. Elsewhere in the US, armies of volunteers - fully briefed on individuals' voting and life histories - checked their mobile phones before knocking on doors and using privileged information to encourage residences to get out and vote.
展开▼
