Facebook was "GPS" for Arab Revolution

Facebook was "GPS" for Arab Revolution

"Facebook was something like the navigation system for this revolution," says the Tunisian-line activist fetus. "Without the road, there is no revolution, but if Facebook takes it, you get real potential." For the latest issue of TR TR-author John Pollock has spoken in the Middle East, with numerous witnesses and activists, to find out how much of the Internet and social networks on the current political upheaval had there.

One of his interlocutors, fetus belongs to Takriz - for own account was originally a tiny "cyber-Think-Tank", freedom of speech and affordable Internet access called for in the course of the "Tunisian revolution" but then played an increasingly important role as an information node. The group members communicate mainly via the network. Because "we could be anonymous online," says fetus, a technology consultant with an MBA degree, who speaks six languages ​​and by his own admission was a hacker, because he was not the high cost of telephone and Internet in Tunisia could afford. Foetus want his real name as well as other "Tak" is also not going to divulge - the group sees itself more in the fight against the followers of Ben Ali, in their view of the same wood are corrupt.

The balance of the activists is also shared by Zeynep Tufekci. The social scientist has been researching for years on the interaction between technology, culture, society and politics. She is Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina and a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. "These new technical possibilities do not create opposition. The opposition was always there. But they have allowed the malcontents to organize themselves in a new way," she says in an interview with T R.

"I think the era of the permanent, authoritarian governments that keep for decades by isolating people and censor, is nearing its end. That will not happen this year or next, but I think in this decade," so Tufekci. But a lot of states would be given the choice to be democratic, or to transform itself into a second North Korea or Burma - is so completely foreclose. "The policy will also influence the Chinese."

At the same time, the growing participation of the population "does not automatically lead to more democracy," warns dei scientist. "Overthrowing a dictator is one thing. To build a functioning democracy, is an entirely different problem. Technology can help solve this problem. But it can make things even more complicated."

Tufekci, however, believes that social media could be used as a confidence building measure. "When the information comes from a friend of a friend, she is perhaps trusted services like Google + and Facebook support this possibility - you have to but also the effort to attract, develop such networks Previously, you were sitting in front of the television and could say.. I have no idea whether or not to lie to me. Now there is this enormous shift of responsibility towards the individual. "