June162009
civil society communicates -- in spite of the state »
“First Facebook and then a number of other sites were being blocked by Iran. It isn’t exactly an atypical action by a regime who has done so before on a number of instances. This time something was different though. Twitter became the unlikely hero of a large group of individuals who were calling for a vote recount and regardless of the outcome were furthering a movement. What’s becoming increasingly clear is the widespread impact that social technology is having on the world.
For the first time it feels as though we are part of something greater and that the people finally do have control. It’s an empowering feeling and as social technologists continue to iterate on their platforms, democracy is becoming a fact of life for regimes which previously ruled with an iron fist. Even within this country we are witnessing a transparency movement and we can thank the internet with the help of social technology for making this possible.” [click on link for the rest of the article.]
Fascinating, wouldn’t you say? It is amazing to think about how communication technologies are making it more possible than ever before for people to report what they are really experiencing around the world, especially for those who live within states that tend to tightly control information. Who would have thought that platforms like Facebook and Twitter (aha! so there is some utility in you after all, twitter!) would facilitate the ability for one to exercise a universal human right — that of freedom of expression for those who are reporting, and freedom to know for those who are receiving the information. In spite of a state with a flair for the unjust use of force and authority, the Iranian people are expressing themselves and making their voices heard.
More exciting still are the possibilities these mechanisms provide for people with diverging cultures, beliefs and convictions to engage in a global dialogue and learn about each other. We are on the brink of something BIG here! We’re not living in just any ordinary time in history — I believe this cross cultural interaction among civil society is only going to continue to rise and intensify and that it will change the landscape of our world. What do you think? Do you think these platforms could be regarded as instruments to facilitate a global dialogue on world events and issues among members of civil society? Could it give rise to new levels of global solidarity?
Tags: /Facebook /twitter /global dialogue /communication
