Response to a fat politician
I think Gaiman is right and that new media such as television and the Internet relies has caused a shift in marketing and politics alike to rely on the use of images and appearance to convey message rather than the actual function of the product, or in politics, the beliefs and policies a candidate stands behind. First of all, a 300 pound President would not get elected because of the standards of attractiveness we hold to and this type of appearance would not be what people would want to see on television and in the newspaper constantly. Secondly, it would say something about that person’s stance on health/nutrition and the public would see this type of person being elected as sending the wrong message about personal hygiene. Though, I do think it is unfortunate that what a person believes in is less important than their marketability. This is one of the shifts I think McLuhan is referring to when he says the “medium is the message”. It is the effect of the media on our society as a whole and our social interactions over time.