With the access to digital media the new digital age
provided an opportunity for the Arab Spring.
Here with the ability to communicate using the mobile device the phone
that is also a computer countries and regions have been able to connect without
developing the infrastructure previously needed to access the Internet and
World-Wide-Web such as cable, hard wired LAN. Today text messages are
accessible from remote locations and the last mile is closer to becoming
connected to the rest of the world in this new digital age.
“There can be little doubt that the near future will be full
of revolutionary movements, as communication technologies enable new connections
and generate more room for expression. And it’s clear that certain tactical
efforts, like mobilizing crowds or disseminating material, will get easier as
mobile and Internet penetration rates rise across many countries.“
Now the individual citizen can have a voice and citizens can
organize themselves around an idea or campaign. Youth have an advantage, as
they are able to embrace these technologies natively as they have grown up in a
society where the digital age is their own.
“With new access to virtual space and to its technologies,
populations and groups all around the world will seize their moment, addressing
long-held grievances or new concerns with tenacity and conviction. Many leading
these charges will be young, not just because so many of the countries coming
online have incredibly young populations“
As we look back we can see that technology of some sort had
a connection to unrest and wars.
Today we have more access to technology and information. The
Narratives that drive the news can quickly affect public behavior and ramp up
actions at a greater speed. Media may need to use greater discernment as they
report news or show events in real time. There are new responsibilities to
users and content providers that should be considered with far reaching
potential and instantaneous ability to share news.
“Revolutions are but one manifestation of discontent. They
stick out in our memories because they can often adopt romantic overtones, and
be easily woven into human narratives about freedom, liberty and
self-determination. With more technology come more anecdotes that capture our
imagination and make nice headlines. Even when unsuccessful, revolutionaries
occupy a particular position in our collective history that confers a certain
respect, if begrudgingly so. These are highly important components in human
political development, central to our understanding of citizenship and social
contracts, and the next generation of technologies will not change this.”
Schmidt, Eric; Cohen, Jared (2013-04-23). The New Digital
Age: Transforming Nations, Businesses, and Our Lives (Vintage) (pp. 149-150).
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
I really enjoyed your pullout quotes from the book. I was reminded of a book I read in high school called The Anatomy of a Revolution. http://www.amazon.com/The-Anatomy-Revolution-Crane-Brinton/dp/0394700449
ReplyDeleteRevolutions certainly do and continue to intrigue the historian and optimist in all of us.
This week I downloaded a young adult audio books that all the teens are reading to see what teens are reading called Divergent which had revolution as a subplot. Seems like the idea of revolution is all around us.