Democratizing Power of the Internet or How to Start a Revolution
The recent events of the Iranian elections have shown the true power of the internet as a communication medium and more important the power this system can have in changing the world. Clay Shirky in the Ted talk talks about how this medium not only makes the others obsolete but fundamentally changes the way the users interact with not only the technology but the producers of content (aka business or those in power).
For quite awhile now we have lived in a world where the control of technology and weapons allow a few to hold dominion over very large groups of people. The only way to overcome this has been through the slow, and often bloody, accumulation of large enough groups to wrest power. The key to creating and growing these groups is communication, which has traditionally been difficult. The typical means of getting a message out require expensive technology, professionals to run the tech and uninhibited means of delivery (not controlled by the government). The internet as Shirky points out gets rid of all but one of these hurdles. But as we’ve seen all to often (China, Iran, North Korea etc), entire parts of the internet can just be shut down. Hinder communication enough and throw in a dash (or more) of intimidation and you can quell an uprising.
This brings us back to the fundamental problems with communication. It has traditionally been one way and easily shut down, word needs to spread by mouth, which is relatively slow. While I’m as sick of the next person of hearing about it Twitter proves just how fast the internet can be. In these situations speed not only improves the chances of effectiveness but it can also save lives. Of course this is a moot point if those in power just shut down the means of communication. Which brings us to another problem with communication, it has to be mobile.
What’s needed is a moving target. A website that can hop domains easily and quickly, or be present in hundreds of locations simultaneously, and allow for the uploading and downloading of information. Coupled with a SMS system to send the location(s) of the site to people. Such a site could keep the lines of communication and collaboration open with large groups of people while being much more difficult to shut down. This creates a place where people can not only organize but also share first hand accounts with the rest of the world. There are numerous issues and holes in the logic here, maybe it relies too much on technology. Perhaps just a well researched and considered framework for organizing and mobilizing large groups made open and free to the world might be more beneficial. One thing is for sure as the world becomes more educated and gains access to the rest of the world there will be more need for these types of tools. President Obama said it perfectly when he quoted Dr. Martin Luther King the other day.
“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”