Has social media supplanted traditional lobby groups in contemporary politics?

摘要

As a recent empty nester, I tried to phone my student daughter the other day. Not an urgent matter, mind you, just a quick check-up call on her wellbeing. No answer. Ok then, let's try a text? Same result. Facebook? Bingo. Status happy... studying hard (sure, thinks mum)... all ok!For we baby boomers the thought that 'logging on' could one day completely unseat the once perfectly reasonable concept of a phone conversation is slightly bewildering. Then again, I guess it was only a hundred or so years ago early patents of the telephone were dismissed as gimmickry that could never surpass the unadulterated joys of letter writing.