Moaner-in-Chief uses commencements addresses to Whine

[SB Shock]

US President Barack Obama lamented Sunday that in the iPad and Xbox era, information had become a diversion that was imposing new strains on democracy, in his latest critique of modern media.

"With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said.

Maybe the moaner-in-chiefs needs to get some advice from his daughters. Interesting that he thinks freedom of speech and diversity of thought is a threat to democracy.

[n8]

I think the President has a point.

I grew up with video games and they represent one of my favorite pass times. However, it is a shame that in the age of the internet most people spend their free time facebooking and playing simple flash games when they literally have the world at their fingertips.

[RoyalShock]

I have to agree, for the first time, with Obama. I think what he means is that people are becoming less and less educated on current events because they are too into their gadgets and real information has now become the distraction.

The thing is, information - the accurate, non-spun kind - is an enemy to progressive causes and agendas. So by all means Mr. Prez, let's get people informed and awake!

[WuDrWu]

You mean good information like having to show your papers when you take your family out for ice cream?

[SB Shock]

I have to agree, for the first time, with Obama. I think what he means is that people are becoming less and less educated on current events because they are too into their gadgets and real information has now become the distraction.

The thing is, information - the accurate, non-spun kind - is an enemy to progressive causes and agendas. So by all means Mr. Prez, let's get people informed and awake!

See I didn't take it that way at all. It seems to me he was complaining that people get their information from much diverse sources than the mainstream america. As you pointed out - this makes it very hard to control the message.

As far as people becoming less educated on currents events - ever since I could remember Americans pretty much suck at American/World History and Geography. Has it got worse? It has been pretty bad for quite awhile.

Where I think our country has been hurt is the quality of news service. There really is nobody really reporting the news, but what the news channels do any more is have have

a. Spin TV
b. Reality TV
c. Fake Debate TV that really is "I'm going to shout my talking points at you louder" news.

[Maggie]

Maybe it is because I am tired and have not had a second cup of coffee – but I have no idea what the President is talking about. I have a PlayStation. It is a form of entertainment, for sure. It is a “distraction”, for sure. But when he says, “With…PlayStations….information becomes a distraction….” What does that even mean?

The President’s statement would have made more sense to me if he simply said that young people spend too much time using iPods, iPads, Xboxes and PlayStations and need to spend more time on substantive matters. Obviously, he would not be the first person to say this; but it has the benefit of being true.

[n8]

Without the context of the article in question is really difficult to tell exactly what the President was talking about.

I'd like to see the article the quote was taken from.