… research into Internet-democracy
practices would want to explore the democratic possibilities afforded by the
technical aspects of the medium, user motivations and intentions, and the
social structuring of online communications and identities.
Dahlberg. L (2004)
Internet Research Tracings
Bell (1973) technology is a central
organizing factor in social transformation
Quoted in Dahlberg, above
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11208382/Inside-Kobane-Isil-militants-release-shocking-images-of-destruction.html
The above link illustrates the way in which terrorists & others can quickly spread propaganda worldwide.
The above link illustrates the way in which terrorists & others can quickly spread propaganda worldwide.
The above link is a synopsis of the Arab spring, illustrating how the early optimism faded. A 2014 update would presumably be gloomier.
There was, at the beginning of the
Arab Spring, in 2011, much worldwide speculation as to the role of mobile
technology and social media in the political uprisings. Such speculation was
particularly rife with regard to the anti-government protests in Egypt, which
the Mubarak regime ultimately failed to overcome.
There was a certain amount of
euphoria associated with many early news reports concerning the Arab spring. To
quote Rebecca Johnston (core reading, week 2 re. internet metaphors) there was
a feeling that ‘the Internet empowers political activism, giving voice and
power to oppressed people. Wall (2007) discussed ways this communication
technology can change social movements and allow political outsiders to
challenge insiders.’ This is, it would seem, the utopian vision.
Given the failure of the Arab Spring
to gain traction and establish widespread democracy in the Arab world, it might
also be useful to consider Johnston’s alternative dystopian option: ‘If the Internet is destruction metaphor becomes
the predominant schema for reflecting on online experiences, how might this
impact the future of the Internet? Could this metaphor encourage censorship and
oppression online?’
The question of surveillance of
e-mails & social media by governments has indeed become a hot topic, as has
the use of social media & electronic communication by terrorist
organizations. The British Prime Minister recently (during PMQs in the Commons,
November 27th 2014) called for social media providers to do more to
police messages sent by their users & to pass on any suspicious material to
the security services. This is certainly a serious matter for all concerned
with preventing the spread of terrorism. The problem is now whether it is
possible, or even legal, for social media providers to comply, even if they so
desired.
To quote Janet Daley, in the Daily Telegraph, 27/11/2014: the US
Constitution ‘specifically forbids “unreasonable searches and seizures without
probable cause” – although the revelations of Edward Snowden seem to suggest
that the US security services are playing fast and loose with this
Constitutional protection’.
Daley points to a further problem.
‘It takes a human mind to analyze the context and the intention: the difference
between an academic essay that discusses jihad and the notion of Islamic
martyrdom, and an actual declaration of a terror attack. So the computer can
only trigger what must be an examination from a sentient being who must then
inspect the private content’.
Her conclusion is interesting in
terms of the course readings: ‘… there must be a realization that
radicalization and plans to act on its vicious programme take place inside
people’s heads. To stop every possibility of them occurring would involve
getting open access to the inside of everyone’s thoughts. Even attempting to do
this is something free societies have generally abhorred. If we undermine one
of the most basic principles of personal freedom, what sort of life is it that
we will be protecting?’
The impact of social media in a broader social/political context is tackled by Matthew Parris in The Spectator, 29.11.2014. He asks whether we are heading to a new barbarism, citing the case of Emily Thornberry who was forced from political office in the UK after a storm of social media criticism of fairly innocuous remarks she posted during a parliamentary bye-election in Rochester.
The impact of social media in a broader social/political context is tackled by Matthew Parris in The Spectator, 29.11.2014. He asks whether we are heading to a new barbarism, citing the case of Emily Thornberry who was forced from political office in the UK after a storm of social media criticism of fairly innocuous remarks she posted during a parliamentary bye-election in Rochester.
