The Internet in Society: Empowering or Censoring Citizens?

Reflections based on Eugeny Morozov’s / RSA Animate - 

The Internet in Society: Empowering or Censoring Citizens?

The main discussion point from this presentation comes from the following question:

Is internet promoting democracy?

Some evidence seems to support the hypothesis that internet promotes democracy, but Eugeny Morozov shows us other evidence which could be considered to support dictators.

Internet is a cheap, easy, fast way to add content. Therefore ideas and opinions can be easily shared and spread, thus promoting democracy.

This makes us think that dictators would not welcome the use of technology to promote democracy. But is it true that dictators fear internet? Or is it a myth? The truth is that they are very actively involved. There is much criticism in Chinese Blogs, for example.

Why do non-democratic governments tolerate blogs criticizing them? Because it provides them with important information without having to use their secret services. Dictatorships need this because they have created a vacuum of information by punishing certain “real world” information channels. This information can provide them with suggestions to improve their administration.

This, in my opinion, is a way to “soften” a dictatorship. Dictators use this technique to “listen” to their citizens, keeping an authoritarian-controlling reputation. In a way is also a way to promote democratic values.

However, this information can also provide dictators with trails leading to names of people promoting protests…. and a possibility of prosecuting them.

In Thailand citizens are encouraged to provide websites that are against the Thai monarchy. In Saudi Arabia citizens are encouraged to report youtube videos which are against “their” culture. The problem obviously is that anyone can block a website, and to unblock it is very difficult. Not great to make enemies if you have an online business in one of these countries.

We talk about digital immigrants and digital natives, but not about digital renegades and digital captives, which is more important. Sometimes we are “forced” to follow certain communication channels. And there are many “forces” in the new system.

The author notes that pornography is still the most powerful “dictator” in the internet wolrd. Could Mouslow pyramid of needs’ (Physiological, Safety, Belonging, Esteem, Self actualisations) be applied to internet? Do users move up the pyramid once the current level has been fulfilled? If pornography is still the dominant content of internet, is it because it is at the basic level (Physiological needs)? Do surfers move to more educational “needs” afterwards?

It would be very interesting to study statistics showing this trends. I am sure google has very useful data which could be used. What do they use this information for?

Since they seem to control what we see through their filter bubbles*, could we consider google and facebook the new technological dictators?

·      *  see Reflections based on Pariser's TEDtalk "Beware online filter bubbles".

http://leadership-technology.blogspot.ch/2013/02/reflections-based-on-video-beware.html