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Our Blog-FriendsAt any given stage in an election season, political junkies, policy wonks, strategists, candidates, campaigners and the media know that the politics of voting blocs (evangelists, African-Americans, Hispanics, male/female, upper-class/lower-class, age groups, urban/rural, etc.) must be factored into any campaign. At least if you have any real interest in winning. And great campaign success, like terrific campaign failure, can affect political strategies for decades to come.
Well, hold on to your seats. Because we’re officially somebody. Whether you approve of using the “class” term or not, for the first time in history the “creative class” has been qualified (and quantified) as a voting force. Not only registering on the radars of present-day politicians but set to matter for elections to come. Hot dog!
Going back to the early 80’s, Reagan was the first Republican candidate to truly appeal to the evangelists, thus making them a voting force to be reckoned with, at the heart of the Republican base. And (according to the NY Times), their spiritually-influenced vote has changed campaigns and election outcomes ever since. It appears that, 28 years later, Senator Barack Obama has built the strong base of support of a new bloc. Yes, the creative class.
To risk sounding like Fitz’s broken record, The Creative Coast Alliance is officially politically asexual. We’re Switzerland. We support voting and the democratic process. And we may give our wink and nod on particular policy issues. But who you vote for is your business. That said, and regardless of who you support for President, if you consider yourself among the “creative class” then you have a dog in this fight. For, as is commonly true, there are two sides to this coin…
According to a recent article on MTV.com, Obama’s campaign has mobilized Richard Florida’s Creative Class like no candidate has before. And he’s reaping the media and polling rewards because of it. (It is also worth pointing out that Florida himself is reaping the benefit of this ‘creative’ hype, further establishing his terminology as less than rhetoric.)
“I think this is the first creative-class election in American history,” [Florida] said. “The creative class is an online class; it’s YouTube, it’s MySpace, it’s music.” Based on his research, Florida estimates that 40 million Americans are members of this group.
Obama has harnessed something which has, in turn, contributed to an hysteria around his candidacy. And while Republicans like John McCain have long maintained the policies that support an information economy, it could be the Dem that makes it to the Presidential finish line on the muscle of the country’s “creatives.” It’s not only smart politics (and “the way of the future”), but it puts the creative class on the political map.
But the other side of the coin would posit that some people - namely young “hip” Obama supporters - back Obama not necessarily because of his politics and policies but because he is the ‘cool’ candidate. Obama’s the guy with the great logos, catchy slogans (Got hope?; Yes we can), Rolling Stone magazine covers (2 of them), star studded YouTube video (Will.i.am), and the hip iPod playlist. So people identify with his image perhaps more, perhaps far more, than they support his issues.
For many, Obama’s success is indicative of what is perceived to be out and out classicism classism. Classism that is perpetuated and exaggerated by the journalists and media, re: Connect Savannah’s Jim Morekis’s penchant that “Obama’s obvious appeal to well-educated, liberal “creative class” Starbucks drinkers makes him an equally obvious fit for most journalists, who fall squarely into that niche.” (Yes, we’ve had this conversation before.)
But to others, he IS better on the issues. (”It’s the technology, stupid.”) Take TechCrunch, a weblog dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies (tellingly, the #2 most visited blog in the world.). TechCrunch endorsed Obama AND McCain this January, long before either nomination was secured. But, consider the comparison offered via the two endorsements: Obama as progressive, “with it” pseudo-technocrat and McCain as old man who can’t turn on a computer but is “smart enough to just get out of our way and let us do our thing.”
Any way you slice it, we’ve arrived on the scene… in what may historically be considered Obama’s campaign legacy. But regardless of how the game is played and irrespective of who wins, one victory has already been achieved: We’re somebody. Navin Johnson would be proud.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Most creative people I know and respect are more independent than partisan. Party affiliation doesn’t mean much anymore because politically people have realized a couple of things: 1) parties have reached for the extreme edges of their base to hold the party together because they were too lazy to moderate and adapt core principals to changing times. 2) Amidst the parties lazy gravitation to the edges, special interest groups (ie: trial lawyers, developers, etc) saw and took advantage of this to entrench themselves deeper into the powerful within the party. Why? To get more silly.
Thus, you have a congress that has a 12% approval rating. Locally this is born out by the fact that most people don’t know what district they live in anymore. They vote for someone but then when asked who their county commissioner or city councilman is they don’t even know.
I would hope that if you consider yourself a member of the “creative class” the first prerequisite ought to be correctly answering who represents you, locally, state and federally. If you can do this, then your vote really matters. If you can’t, then just how do you decide who you will vote for? Most people default here to the old “party line.”
I’m not sure that calling the “creative class” a voting block is a compliment or helpful. I would like to believe that creative people doing innovative things are independent thinkers who vote for the best person who will stand up for the best practice or for whomever has the better ideas in public policy.
If there is any group that ought to be dropping out of old school “party line” voting habits and thinking critically about the issues and the policy it is those who you have described as “the creative class” and those who I define as “independents.” I just don’t think you want to race into calling yourself a voting bloc, I don’t.
John McMasters
candidate for Chatham County Commission Chairman
http://www.johnmcmasters.com
Heh. So I guess you mean “classism,” right? “Classicism” came before Romanticism, if I remember my Comp Lit correctly.
Though I do confess to being something of a Classicist.
Ha, thanks Jim. Just like the editor to catch our rookie mistake!
As far as racing into calling the “creative class” a voting bloc, I don’t think it’s necessarily always a bad thing to be recognized collectively as a group. How is that so different from calling those people Independents? Unlike traditional voting blocs, the “creative class” to some degree is defined as those who are creative, open-minded and independent thinkers.
Nobody is suggesting partisan behavior or that the “creative class” or anyone for that matter should fall into Dem/GOP party line voting habits. What I think Summer WAS suggesting is that this whole creative and innovative workforce we keep touting is being formally recognized by the political powers that be. I’ll be the first one to admit that the whole “creative class” concept (as defined by Florida) has its failings, but (and forgive the idiom) that’s not necessarily a reason to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
If “creative people doing innovative things…who vote for the best person who will stand up for the best practice or for whomever has the better ideas in public policy” all of a sudden have a “name” on the political stage, is that such a bad thing?
No, it’s not a bad thing, Fitz, and I totally agree with your assessment. I have learned through long and bitter experience that you can rarely predict with accuracy how or why people will vote. You really don’t know until you count the votes, and you almost always get a surprise.
For example, some of our most talented and successful creative class members in Savannah are evangelical Christians who vote on those lines. I’m certainly not one myself, but I know many of them and they definitely shatter the stereotype. SCAD itself has a large constituency of evangelicals, both students and faculty.
Just wanted to add that if someone wants to blame the media for mischaracterizing the creative class, that’s fine — we certainly deserve criticism for that and a host of other misguided assessments. But keep in mind that technically the media is square in the wheelhouse of what constitutes the core of the creative class. Ironic, maybe, but there ya go.
I don’t know what is bugging me more about this entry so far, but the effect is leading me to chastise some of you.
Summer, you need to take this a few more steps beyond the ‘hip’ and the ‘technical’. There is very little hip about me and my tech level is just high enough to get me through basic life. Creative people tend to be hopeful and look at the future. You should expand on what creative people bring into the political policy discussion making that affect us beyond cool logos and youtube videos. I can tell you that both parties doing that right now and trying to figure out what makes the creative class tick.
Mr. McMasters, I do consider myself a member of the creative class, and I can tell you I not only know my county district, school board, state rep. & senator, I also have their email and street addresses, and write then frequently to tell them what I think. It’s the party process which causes many to disapprove of politics in general. Additionally, not all creative people as carefree wind sprites who wonder who you are or why you would make a comment on a politically asexual blog.
And Jim, I was going to lecture you on just giving us a terminology sermon, but your second entry redeemed you.
I never mind a good lecturin’, Laura.
I wasn’t aware that this blog site is “politically asexual” and I wasn’t trying to make it that. As to those who may wonder why I would make a comment here, well, the post addressed the creative class as a new voting block, that’s all. The fact that you know the complete elected official roster in the area in which you are registered is excellent, I only wish there were as many well versed voters as you out there. It does matter. For now and regrettably,you are in the minority.
I recently spent considerable time collecting signatures for the curbside recycling petition, 11,000 signatures and I can tell you from first hand experience most people do not have your high level of knowledge as to what district they live in and who represents them as their elected officials. That’s a fact.
Like Jim, I too don’t mind “a good lecturin’”, Laura. Any chance of redemption for me too?
The use of the term “class” seems to be a sore subject around here. No one likes to be pigeon-holed, especially if one can only live in one hole.
Why don’t we think of “classes” more like “tags”? I’m a Programmer, a StarWarsGeek, a Creative, a JW. If you were to “search” society for any of those, my name would be listed. But no single one of those defines me completely.
It seems like you can have only one class. You can have many tags. Being “tagged” as something is a lot less scary than being “classified”.
Welcome, all, to the “Creative Tag”.
YES. I’m all for it. Once again, math nerds (inclusively speaking) tend to approach the abstract in terms of logic and efficiency, even in the social/political context. Lucas, I love it.
(tags: nerd, “creative”, marketing_dir, web_tinkerer, blogger, reader, drinker, bald_dude)
OK, so tags are in and class is out. Where does voting block fit in? Or does it?
Whoa, there’s alot of great conversation up here. Having just returned from a completely un-wired weekend on Sapelo Island, please accept my apologies for not responding earlier.
To start, Jim: thanks for continuing to be the #1 editor in my life. At least I didn’t write ’segway’ this time. But yes, I meant ‘classism.’
Please allow me to clarify a few things. I did not coin the phrase ‘the creative class.’ I say this because we clearly hit a nerve when we use it, especially in contexts as sensitive in politics. I will be the second person (behind Fitz) to admit that the concept is not without its flaws. But what I’ve written was not meant to argue the merits of the term ‘creative class.’ The term is there and people are using it, for better or for worse. And, by its (infamous) Florida/Landry-inspired definition, it’s a school of thinking that warrants serious attention: as an economic force, a variable for city/community planning, a new business model and, now, a player in politics.
As Fitzoid once wrote in a blog conversation we know well: “Fortunately or unfortunately, the “label” is out there, and if people are going to start throwing it around they might as well understand what it means (or should mean) - especially when knickers are twisting in reaction to the perceived exclusivity of the term “creative class.” That said, I agree the “name” shouldn’t be the focus and to spend too much time on nomenclature undermines the whole point…”
And here’s my point: this thing defined as ‘the creative class’ comprises, for whatever reason, a large part of Camp Obama’s support. To quote Laura, “I can tell you that both parties [are] doing that right now and trying to figure out what makes the creative class tick.” Sure they are! But somehow either Obama is doing it better or the media is more attracted to his way of doing it. Maybe that’s because (as Jim says) “technically the media is square in the wheelhouse of what constitutes the core of the creative class.” Maybe it’s because he’s better on tech issues (TechCrunch argument). Maybe it’s because many of the people in this stereotyped “creative class” like his message (HOPE) and/or his method of delivery (YouTube, Rolling Stone, etc.). And maybe there is no causation whatsoever. Regardless, the political impression – like the term ‘creative coast’ itself – is out there. And has the potential to impact politics for years to come.
What do ‘creatives’ bring to the table? You mean, beyond hipness and tech-savvy-ness? Generally-speaking, I think they bring forward-minded, out-of-the-box, sky’s-the-limit thinking. Regardless of any definitional imperfections, all this attention and recognition (and newfound political importance) may bring about many of the positives that I, as a self-declared “creative,” would embrace. What I personally love about the Florida curricula is that it recognizes a ‘creative class’ values set that promotes public interaction through city planning and community building, puts a premium on quality of life, tolerance and education, and talks about the elephant in the corner: a changing economy that demands a new way of doing business and new incentives to promote that. As this class/tag grows in size and is increasingly better defined I think these values will be better reflected in our elected officials. I hope this expands “on what creative people bring into the political party discussion making that affect us beyond cool logos and youtube videos,” because I was certainly would never limit the contributions of the ‘creative class’ to just web- and design-based coolness.
But, much simpler, more obvious and to the whole point of this posting (and staying in line with our role in promoting conversation, not telling you your political business): We dig the fact that the present and future decision-makers of America have embraced the existence of a ‘creative class’ and that the general public is being exposed to this concept through a political debate. Especially because, as Fitzerama points out, “the ‘creative class’ to some degree is defined as those who are creative, open-minded and independent thinkers.” And if you accept only those three criteria to be a member of the creative class, then regardless of who they align with politically – Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian, Communist, whatever – I think we’re a little better off. Assuming they all know who they’re voting for…
I hear ya, Summer. The danger always comes when image is more important than content, and unfortunately this danger is particularly prevalent with the whole creative class discussion, as you seem to correctly note.
Since you were the one that brought politics into this, let me share my position in more detail:
Up until recently I was fairly active in some political blogs. This primary season anyone who dared to go onto one of the more well-known “progressive” blogs and say something even remotely supportive of Hillary Clinton, in the most general terms, was subjected to some of the most relentless and vulgar verbal abuse you could possibly see in print.
Day after day in post after post, I read the most disgusting comments that could possibly be said about a female — the classic hate speech, plus some new stuff thrown in — all directed towards Hillary, all of it on “liberal” blogs peopled mostly by folks who undoubtedly (and often plainly) considered themselves part of the creative class.
The hateful rhetoric was far, far worse than anything I’d seen on Republican blogs, by the way, and virtually universal within the lefty blogosphere, almost without exception.
Besides (unfairly) putting a bad taste in my mouth regarding Obama’s candidacy, the whole scene was quite an epiphany for me, and convinced me beyond any doubt that sexism is the biggest undiscussed issue in our society — yes, way worse than racism at this point.
Bottom line? It’s not very creative to be an a-hole. But that tendency exists within any group, no matter how noble their aspirations, label, or self-assessment, and no one, regardless of education or profession, can afford to be complacent about it.
Wow, that was a mouthful. I’ve written college English papers shorter than that. (Probably why I have a degree in Math.) At 742 words, I think you’ve logged the longest comment in TCCa blog history, and you are to be commended.
Interesting point re: media coverage. I do think media gravitate toward Obama cuz he’s sexy. He’s cool. He’s different. He extols open-minedness, “a different approach”, etc. Plus, his crackerjack speechwriters and marketing team push that image, to their credit.
I would think that more than the media themselves being part of the ‘creative class’ (which I agree they largely are) I also think they’re more savvy than the average bear about what people want to hear/read/see (i.e. what sells) and they report on that.
And, if nothing else (in this late-00’s atmosphere anyway), a ethnic minority out of Harvard with a diverse cultural and social background who is running on out-of-the-box thinking (and with modern marketing methods and swanky logos to boot) sells to the “creative class.” How could it not?
Which, if you think about it can be a bad thing (to Jim’s image-over-content point.)
Fitz, you should know by now that brevity is not my strong suit.
One of these things is not like the others, one of these things does not belong!
-The Creative Coast Alliance is officially politically asexual.
-Nobody is suggesting partisan behavior or that the “creative class” or anyone for that matter should fall into Dem/GOP party line voting habits.
-…staying in line with our role in promoting conversation, not telling you your political business…
-…if you consider yourself among the “creative class” then you have a dog in this fight.
What is the fight and who is the dog? There doesn’t seem to be an alternate interpretation of this statement than “our dog” being Obama since the remainder of the article is about his supposed appeal to the “creative class.” Tell me I’m wrong.
Oh, and what in THE WORLD is Mr. McMasters doing reading and commenting on a blog owned, operated and directly supported by the Savannah Economic Development Authority? Doesn’t he know that y’alls salaries are paid for with taxpayer dollars and that part of what you offer to recruit “creative companies” to the coast is the possibility of tax abatements?
Yes John, I’m calling you out again. Have you softened on your position towards using market forces to positively influence our economy? I certainly hope so! Especially if you want to be our County Commission Chairman.
Jeremy,
Thanks for airing your concern. It’s an important one to clarify. Because after re-reading your post several times I realized how you interpreted my comment: that Obama was the “dog” and the fight = the “election.” To clarify, I used “having a dog in this fight” as an idiom, meaning “having an interest in this matter” or “having a stake in this issue.” (Example)
Therefore, it essentially reads: “That said, and regardless of who you support for President, if you consider yourself among the “creative class” then you have an interest in this matter.”
Jeremy,I am participating on this site because I care about many things and feel that when it comes to public policy, I have something to offer. Some good dialog happens here. I’m sure you are being sarcastic about me enjoying something SEDA born, that’s OK. True the salaries are paid by taxpayers, I’m a taxpayer so I get to participate.
My history of asking for accountability from government is well known. I believe in better public policy, is there something wrong with that? The Creative Coast is a publicly financed venture, as is SEDA so what’s up with the your attitude? Instead of “calling me out” why don’t we discuss policy? Care to discuss impact fees, job creation verification, how about a free county vehicle registration for anyone who buys a hybrid with 40 MPG? Pick your topic, besides dueling is went out a while ago. Peace.
John McMasters
http://www.johnmcmasters.com
Summer, doesn’t change it for me but thank you for replying. Perhaps your clarification would mean more to me if I thought either of the major party candidates were worth voting for. Then I probably would have “an interest” in the matter. As it stands, there is no one on a major party ticket that exemplifies the type of leadership I think is necessary to be an effective President.
I do stand by my insinuation that your article may have been an attempt to be politically neutral, but it just didn’t quite make it. It is difficult to discuss these issues without betraying your own biases. Turn on a major news network at 6 o’clock tonight, and you’ll see just what I mean.
Perhaps if one wants to discuss issues while remaining politically neutral, one could do as my friend Mr. McMasters suggests and just stick with policy and issues. Leave the praise and approval of campaign positions and/or actions to the media!
John, good luck in the November. I was just rattling your cage and trying to have a little fun with you. There are many issues upon which you and I shall always disagree, but that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we can’t poke a little fun once in awhile.
Jeremy all is well and thanks.
I think the article written by Summer is about the fact that the creative class is recognized. Recognized enough to be considered, measured and catered to by each candidate and their campaigns. Now the truth of the matter is the conversation in mass media regarding this topic generally has to do with Obama’s ability to interest this now-recognized “class” and McCain’s inability to do the same. So, I don’t personally perceive the post to be a show of bias for or against any candidate - Summer was merely pointing out that she and others (many others) believe that the Obama campaign’s ability to wrangle these voters has led to a different voter make-up than the past elections have experienced. And we will continue to see the influence of these voters in elections to come.
Let me post this just to be provacative: http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/07/the-myth-of-the-creative-class/
If there is no creative class, there is no creative voting bloc.
Or, we’re all the creative class because we all have the opportunities so we can’t possibly be a bloc.
…just sayin’…
Scott, why did you post that link? Now I feel woefully inadequate, and throughly inspired. The whole notion of ‘disruption’ is fascinating as it implies/supplies change. And let’s admit that change is usually a good thing. This year ‘change’ is a common call across the political landscape.
I believe we all have creativity within us so, no, we are not a bloc initially yet when passivity changes to action, those who take action may be seen as or defined as a bloc.