It’s the time of year to be contemplative. Colin James’ piece in the Press yesterday invoked us to remember the conundrum of Christmas, the darkness and the beauty of humankind, and invited us to promote the good of humans and not to trade in the bad.
Optimism, I hope, is my nature. In that spirit, here’s two other pieces to contemplate. I hope you’ll read them.
They are each about the emerging power of social media and how it is being used (and could be used) as a force for change by groups of people who feel oppressed. Disturbingly, how it can also be (and already is) used as a means to oppress and restrain.
Both pieces are about the balance of power between citizens and the state and how technology is fueling social movements. Both are published in Prospect Magazine.
1. How dictators watch us on the web by Evgeny Morozov. A disturbing account which argues that while the internet is meant to help activists, enable democratic protest and weaken the grip of authoritarian regimes, it doesn’t—in fact, the web is a boon for bullies.
2. The net advantage: Media guru Clay Shirky responds to criticisms in Evgeny Morozov’s piece on why dictators benefit from the web. Despite pitfalls, he says, the internet remains a positive force for democracy.
The points I’d like to make are: I believe that people who work together will inevitably find a way to make change. Even if they are at the vanguard of a movement that takes a long time to be effective. That those with power will try to fight back and use any means to do so. But ultimately change cannot be held back when enough people want it.
That direct engagement between governments and people are crucial. That people want to know they are listened to and that making government (the state) too distanced from the population results in fracture and disharmony.
And that we, in New Zealand, are very fortunate to live in such a stable democracy. But we too have a lot to learn. We can learn from these struggles and choose to promote the good.
I think we need strong laws to protect the users of social networking sites.
[...] An interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt: They are each about the emerging power of social media and how it is being used (and could be used) as a force for change by groups of people who feel oppressed. Disturbingly, how it can also be (and already is) used as a means to … Read the rest of this great post Here [...]
It can be a place for bullies. The one case this year that highlights this was here in NZ, and was that debate about the Training Incentive allowance. The release of the so called facts by a minister (which were distorted beyond believe) and the bullying that arose from that was so bad that one of the mothers speaking out had to get her phone disconnected.
It can also give a voice to people, like this site.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by redalertblog: New post, “Social media and people power” – http://ow.ly/PYMg…
Another way in which social media can surely be compromised is by flooding sites with an opinion under a raft of names to give the impression that the opinion involved is widespread when it is not, rather as happens with letters to the editor from time to time. Or, for that matter TV phone-in polls.
@Olwyn. It’s also happening on Red Alert, and it’s called trolling (in the cybersphere). A number of people try to use different IP addresses to flood this site, and others, with comments in a similar vein. To take the discussion off course and to generally be offensive. I plan to write something over the summer on trolling as I think it would benefit more of us to be aware and to be vigilant.
I want Red Alert to be a place where people can comment safely knowing they wont be abused and have to read offensive unecessary drivel.
So thanks for your comments over the year Olwyn and keep coming back.
This is hardly Christmassy? Hope your taking a break. Be nice to see no posts for a while so we know you’re not a machine!!
@ Kyle Foster: what do you want? Mindless schmaltz? Does it occur to you that Red Alert posters have probably organised a holiday roster so that there is something new each day.
It’s Clares’s turn? Be nice if you moved on…
Thanks for clarifying that Clare – I am clearly not up with the play. I have seen references to trolling but had not taken them in. Abuse, etc, is a bore, but less disturbing than a flood of calculated outrage or praise, designed to “create the narrative” so to speak. The mainstream media seems very much into creating the narrative these days, and chat rooms offer an alternative where genuine exchanges of information and debate are possible.
@Olwyn
Thats why I only post on this site. Other sites seem to have that kind of thing wide spread.I have however read other sites and found a post I put in here on there under someone elses name. Very annoying.
Oh well, I suppose they liked it.
@ A Mother – that’s terrible, I guess that’s the trouble with not writing under your own name, thieves
On a happier note, I like this site too, I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season.
It is but I won’t write my own name due to being a solo parent and the fact I’ve spoken out against the TIA, look at what happened to the others. Don’t want to cancel my phone due to abusive phone calls from the public, or abuse hurled at me in front of my children.
Am enjoying the holiday and get a mini break next week when the children go to their Dads.
Hope your enjoying your hoildays too.
I didnt mean delete everything? How are we doing?
@Blair. What’s your point?
When my virtual law firm (Indiana, because I am admitted to practice there) gets organised this year, one big area of work will be online harassment and libel. Talk about a mountain of work!