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

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

[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 ?!