the internet, politics, and revolution

the internet is changing politics, disaster, even revolution. are nations becoming, in the face of globalization and corporatism and neocons, obsolete? are people, rather than taking to the streets, meeting and empowering each other on the internet?

for example, look at 350.org in copenhagen. or, my uncle and aunt who live in canada but talk to their daughter in the ukraine using voip. things in egypt could have gone a lot differently if it weren't for internet-enabled people-power. linux, gnu, and the fsf seek software freedom. organizations such as googlewatch makes sure organizations such as google don't become another antitrust, proprietary-loving microsoft. do a search for 'internet' at amnesty international's canadian site.

and, we have leadnow: 'Leadnow was founded in 2010 by a group of young people who care about a wide range of issues and wanted to create a new way for people to participate effectively in our democracy.' (leadnow.ca/en/about) . and the transition town movement, and zeitgeist. is this social networking applied to social justice? even the musicians are getting in on the act and playing for change. uh-oh. now it's serious.

leadnow writes that 'We're inspired by a new model of political and movement organizing that uses technology as a tool to help people organize themselves and strengthen their voice. This model was pioneered by organizations like MoveOn (USA), GetUp (Australia), 38 Degrees (UK), and Avaaz (Global), mobilizing over 10 million people around the world. We hope to bring some of the best of these organizing techniques to Canada, while we adapt them to suit Canada's unique character.'

is this new model that counters corporations and gives power back to the people making nation states and the u-n itself obsolete?

what about those who don't have access to or are unable to access the internet, perhaps those who are off the technology treadmill? are they excluded?

and let us not forget that the internet was originally a darpa project, ie, for war by america. forget moles! what a way to find out what the opposition is doing!

not that i'm into conspiracy theories. but the amish are onto something. still, if i had a hammer....

[written on blogger. cross-posted to livejournal and facebook. mentioned on twitter]