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Valdis Krebs at Political Patterns on the WWW has been making node maps of book buying habits to the Left and Right for over a year. The latest node map is fascinating to look at and even more interesting to ponder. Krebs key observation:
"It appears that the many of the books have changed from last year but the pattern is the same. Two distinct clusters, with dense internal ties have emerged. These political books are preaching to the converted! This year we find more bridges between the clusters. Yet, this network of 67 books is dependent on just 2 nodes to remain connected -- Sleeping with the Devil and Bush at War."Fascinating and interesting because it tells us what the intelligensia of America may be thinking politically. It also underscores the great political divide of American minds at this time in history. But, alas, it only looks at books and, as much as I love books, I've spent enough time in the book business to know to a fare-thee-well, that book buyers and readers are a tiny jot of the population.
Knowing that book buyers tend to read books that reinforce their point of view isn't too illuminating. That's obvious to any constant reader.
What would be more interesting would be if we could know just how influential these book buyers were in aggregate. We assume that, because they are mainly part of the 20% of the text-driven part of the population that they enjoy no little influence in their spheres and careers.
The real question for 2004 is: Can they nominate and elect a President? Short form, especially in light of the recent crash and burn of the Internet Poltical Intellectuals, is probably not. In politics, nobody really likes a know-it-all -- at least not one who is so willing to share that he knows it all.
What, I believe, this mind-map actually shows is the shape of the Great Realignment that is taking place in American Politics. Not the vast bulk turning beneath the surface of the Center, but the two tips of the iceberg. And since there seem to be more books on the blue side, that would be the one tilting towards the cold cruel sea.
Posted by Vanderleun at February 5, 2004 3:12 AM | TrackBack