How Did Alvin Greene Win?
This is a good overview of academic theories concerning “low-information voting” (voting in contests with unfamiliar candidates) but it leaves out the most glaringly obvious explanation, that a sufficient number of voters actually thought “Alvin Greene” was the R&B legend Al Greene (ballot listings might call for the formality of a full name). One voter actually said that to a reporter. And with voters knowing zero about Rawl, that could be enough to swing an 18-point margin Greene’s way.
Another thing to add to this article: political scientists (like all social scientists) who identify rules will point out that there is a probability model for any outcome. Just as one out of 20 polls will produce erroneous results beyond the margin of error, a certain (low) percentage of no-information elections will produce results as bizarre as this one. Think of all the no-information races where both (or more than one) of the candidates are nominally qualified - the outcome is just as random but it isn’t noticed. (Aside from the many no-information races that actually produce a decent result.) It probably happens more often than we notice, since winning candidates as glaringly inarticulate as Greene are rare - he was a perfect storm, an utter rando with a semi-famous-sounding name and an equally unknown opponent in a two-way race for a high-profile office. (via caterpillarcowboy, peterfeld, newsweek, nicksummers)
I sent this note to the members of the IAWTV this afternoon.
June 15, 2010
Dear Members of the Academy,
I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign my position as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Web Television, in concert with three of my fellow founders, Joshua Cohen, Marc Hustvedt, and Jamison Tilsner. Jamison and I will also be resigning our respective offices as Treasurer and Executive Director of the IAWTV.
We are not abandoning the Academy and its mission. Quite to the contrary, we will be advocating for and helping to guide the future of the organization from within the rank and file of the membership. In addition, a non-voting Director Emeritus seat will be formally established through an amendment to the Bylaws. Joshua Cohen will serve the initial term.
In the coming weeks, we look forward to elections being called to fill our seats, as well as one additional vacancy left by the resignation of Mo Koyfman. It is my hope that members of the Academy dedicated to serving the needs of the organization and committed to thorough transparency will step into these roles and play an active hand in shaping the future of this young organization.
Over the past year and a half, I have had the great privilege to be a part of building an institution that I believe has the ability, and the mandate, to contribute to the evolution of our fledgling industry. At this crucial juncture, it is imperative that we, as members of the Academy, make our voices heard and advocate for an organization that is built in the spirit of the members it represents.
I am confident that, by applying our collective expertise and perspectives to the common problems that we face as pioneers of a new industry, the International Academy of Web Television will contribute not only to the prosperity of its members but to that of the industry as a whole.
Thank you for having the courage and vision to walk down this path with us.
Respectfully yours,
Brady Brim-DeForest
No, I don’t think that I will.
Brilliant example of designing people focused product. (via caterpillarcowboy, david-noel)
Enhance that.
Steve Jobs, who doesn’t sound like he’s going to be releasing an Apple TV 2 anytime soon. (via ericmortensen)
I don’t really agree with this. People DO pay for TV through their cable subscriptions. TV USED to be merely ad-supported “free” fare, but the cable companies changed that years ago.
(via tanya77)
You’re talking about two different things. People will pay a monthly subscription fee with a box “rental” hidden within it, but they won’t pay upfront for a box. That’s why Apple TV 2 will be incredibly inexpensive. (via mikehudack)
Au contraire — I’ve bought a new television annually for the last eight years. Only it isn’t called a TV, it’s a monitor that I usually attach to my computer (if it isn’t already attached).
