If the wiretap scandal had happened earlier, we'd be in the streets by now demanding for snap elections, or in front of our television sets watching another impeachment trial. But the fact that many of us are in the malls instead getting a bizarre satisfaction out of alien attack in War of the Worlds definitely means this wiretapping controversy has yet to "tip" or, according the influential book, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, become infectious enough to sweep the nation into another people power movement.
According to The Tipping Point, for an idea to create a groundswell of support, you'll need three things:
First, you'll need a few influential people with the ability to start/spread/sell the idea of a people power movement against President Gloria Arroyo. Second, a message "so memorable that it sticks in someone's mind and compels them to action." Third, the right environment. In other words, the time should be ripe and the ground should be fertile for the idea to take root and grow.
Now, this last one — the environmental tipping point — is the problem. I think Gloriagate is taking long to "tip" because our people are tired, politically depressed, and cynical of both Gloria and the opposition. Very few people still have the energy to still go marching about in the streets, after having been there and done that, TWICE.
The first time to topple the Marcos dictatorship. The second to oust actor turned politician Joseph Estrada.
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