Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
ANONYMITY?
The revolution is carried out by means of one's thought, not through one's family background.
Kim Jong Il
I lay awake at night tortured by the opinions of random people whom I have never spoken with. Pithy statements written by academics permeate my culture. Uploaded video clips of ordinary people have redefined our global understanding. Instead of seeing a nation presented by the national press, we now see a comical clip of children bonking heads with 500,000 other viewers. Without a blog, a personal profile is simply freedom of information gone awry. Creating a blog is as mentally taxing for some than North Korean foreign policy. The goal of every online blogger, poster and commenter is simply to gain loyal followers. Following will not kill us, but leading without a conscience might. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but blogs and their comments will forever hurt us.
Bloggers who publish online diaries are loosing those with strongholds in the mainstream media like demons taking flight during exorcism. Blogging is a moment where ideas can be remembered but now the stakes are higher and the world is watching. A blog is a chance to connect with an international audience instead of reading about a country in a geographical magazine. It is ironic that I know more about my friends and community by our online chit chat, than by verbal communication. Occasionally cards come in the mail, and friends remind me that they exist with a personal visit, but a blog with a following; perhaps the loneliness might dissipate if there were four thousand people watching? Perhaps, the chit chat is simply dehumanizing our relationships.
As I read some of the comments online as I do research for my next book I think.......whoa.....would people sitting around eating pizza together really say those words? I am amazed at how anonymity has inspired normally shy people to blurt it all out. If thoughts rather than elitist ties are capable of changing a nation and propelling a revolution....which war will we start? Already the power of the press is being weakened by the fast release of information through twitter, Facebook and you tube. Would we really say what those commentator's are saying in public....if your grandmother was listening? really?? If words are a powerful weapon, then perhaps we as citizens should seek to protect our communities from those very weapons that damage. I am not suggesting government censorship, I am encouraging social accountability.
Kim Jong Il
I lay awake at night tortured by the opinions of random people whom I have never spoken with. Pithy statements written by academics permeate my culture. Uploaded video clips of ordinary people have redefined our global understanding. Instead of seeing a nation presented by the national press, we now see a comical clip of children bonking heads with 500,000 other viewers. Without a blog, a personal profile is simply freedom of information gone awry. Creating a blog is as mentally taxing for some than North Korean foreign policy. The goal of every online blogger, poster and commenter is simply to gain loyal followers. Following will not kill us, but leading without a conscience might. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but blogs and their comments will forever hurt us.
Bloggers who publish online diaries are loosing those with strongholds in the mainstream media like demons taking flight during exorcism. Blogging is a moment where ideas can be remembered but now the stakes are higher and the world is watching. A blog is a chance to connect with an international audience instead of reading about a country in a geographical magazine. It is ironic that I know more about my friends and community by our online chit chat, than by verbal communication. Occasionally cards come in the mail, and friends remind me that they exist with a personal visit, but a blog with a following; perhaps the loneliness might dissipate if there were four thousand people watching? Perhaps, the chit chat is simply dehumanizing our relationships.
As I read some of the comments online as I do research for my next book I think.......whoa.....would people sitting around eating pizza together really say those words? I am amazed at how anonymity has inspired normally shy people to blurt it all out. If thoughts rather than elitist ties are capable of changing a nation and propelling a revolution....which war will we start? Already the power of the press is being weakened by the fast release of information through twitter, Facebook and you tube. Would we really say what those commentator's are saying in public....if your grandmother was listening? really?? If words are a powerful weapon, then perhaps we as citizens should seek to protect our communities from those very weapons that damage. I am not suggesting government censorship, I am encouraging social accountability.
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