The Web Won't Topple Tyranny

An anonymous reader writes "Joshua Kurlantzick of the New Republic online writes that the internet--once heralded as a revolutionary force in politics--has turned out to be surprisingly nonthreatening to dictators and tyrannies. Reminds me of Howard Dean, and the trend to see technological change as a politically progressive force. Maybe this is not such a good idea?"

Comments

Your RFID has been noted

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

And cross-referenced with the list of subversive sites you have recently visited.

That's because the internet

[Jeremy Erwin]

no longer can recognize censorship as damage and route around it. Blame the router manufacturers.

Re:That's because the internet

[PhotoBoy]

But I thought all those online petitions *did* make a difference!

Like that petition to stop the evil "Lord of the Rings" franchise from cashing in on 9/11 by calling one of the films "The Two Towers".

Re:That's because the internet

[swankypimp]

it's just a glorified chat loop for everyone to talk about Britney Spears on.

Who here likes Britney Spears? A recent interview indicates she wants to be taken seriously as an entertainer. Moreover, she thinks her vocals are more than throwaway part of a striptease girly show. She is not just the late 90's sex symbol; she is governed by a desire for self-betterment.

Let's think about her role as an artist. She is more than a piece of meat offered up by MTV. She is where it's at. Perhaps there are 1265 better singers out there, but she is an absolute Oak, standing tall against a public who think she she is a slut who should hit the road for all eternity.

Her new video debuts Thursday at 5 pm.

Funny quote

[spellraiser]

From the article (on an Internet Cafe in Laos):

Yet, despite its trendiness and high-tech appearance, the Internet joint conspicuously lacked one element usually associated with cafe life: any discussion of current events. Virtually no one in the cafe spoke with anyone else.

Geez - geeks not socializing! What is this world coming to ?!

Re:No? well I have the solution

[ziggamon]

Carefull there... This kind of thing is best posted AC through anonymizing proxies, lest the biggest tyrants brand you a "terrorist". Although, your posting history tends to suggest that you have been trying to disrupt communication systems, so you might technically be a terrorist.

/nick The Artist formerly known as Ziggamon

Re:Whois Tyranny?

[SpaceLifeForm]

Good question.

# whois www.Tyranny.net

No match for "WWW.TYRANNY.NET".

Apparently already toppled.

I Disagree.

[bfg9000]

the internet--once heralded as a revolutionary force in politics--has turned out to be surprisingly nonthreatening to dictators and tyrannies.

I can think of a few dictators and tyrants whose kingdoms are threatened by the power of the internet. The internet is scary to some, exciting to others, because it's people working together.