Tuesday, March 24, 2015

"the rich and poor social networks did not overlap"

http://civicmediaproject.org/works/civic-media-project/the2013protestsinbrazil

"Even though the people facing digital inequalities in the marginalized areas came late to the protest, Facebook still provided a platform so the residents of Gurigica, São Benedito and Itararé could organize and manifest their demands in the street protest. But the social divide that takes place in Vitória affected the way information flowed, impacting the civic engagement of the poor. The organizers of the first protests belonged to an upper class that did not overlap with lower classes, online and offline, the marginalized came in late to the streets and their voices and requests were not privileged as the ones shouted by the rich."

This is an interesting study in how class divide prevents larger protests.  Something for organizers to think about in the future.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Looking back on the Arab Spring

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/03/fallen-leaves-arab-spring-150310060732982.html

"No matter what the current state of different Arab uprisings, this much is certain: That where the people once loudly demanded the downfall of certain regimes, many now want order and security before anything else.

Hassan Hassan, an Abu Dhabi-based Middle East analyst and a co-author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, says there are no visible gains for the people so far as conflicts and insurgencies in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, and Egypt continue to cut a swathe of destruction through the region.
'All that ordinary people are looking forward to is an end to the violence, and stability at some point,' he told Al Jazeera."

Sad article.  The Arab Spring succeeded in toppling dictators. But then what?  That is the question.  And can such a revolution be preparing for a smooth transition at the same time as it is toppling a government?  Personally, I think not.  And I don't know the solution to that.