Is Revolutionary Technology Disruptive in a Positive Sense?

The photo depicts Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as being frightened by a (computer) mouse - a metaphor for the computer and internet technology currently being used to protest the sham election.

We usually speak of "revolutionary" technology in a purely technological sense - a new hardware or software device that radically changes how we work or entertain ourselves. We call unexpected innovations that improve a product or service and disturb markets "disruptive technology".

Technological advances have changed history, mostly in a positive direction, at least since the invention of moveable type printing in 1439 by Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith. That invention, some 600 years ago, led to an unprecedented era of political change that has greatly increased standards of living, freedom, and liberty we residents of the Earth enjoy. Each of us owes his or her freedom to Gutenberg and others who have invented and used revolutionary technology to enhance the power of the people.

Martin Luther used the printing press to further the Protestant Reformation. People with revolutionary ideas have managed to get the word out despite attempts by the Pope and others to license the printing press.

Censorship in the Soviet bloc was evaded by "Samizdat", a Russian pun for "self, by oneself publishing", where free thinking individuals used typewriten carbon copies, xerox copies, and audio tapes to pass along forbidden materials. Fax technology allowed written materials to be transmitted by ordinary telephones and that has been used to organize revolutionary activities.

Personal computers and printers made it easier for individuals to create revolutionary writings and distribute them via floppy discs or telephone modems.

Of course, the invention of the internet and the World Wide Web has eclipsed all the previous revolutionary technology! Despite attempts by oppressive governments to stiffle dissent and filter internet content, ingenious individuals have found ways to get around these limitations of freedom.

Today, in Iran, the free-thinking dissidents are using the latest communications media, blogs, Flickr, Twitter and cell phone photos and videos to bypass official limitations on communications. Good luck to them!

Ira Glickstein

PS: See Guardians at the Gates are Gone - Freedom of the Press !!! and the links in the right-hand column under the "Freedom" image. Today in the US and most of the rich world, anyone can publish a blog or a "print on demand" book that anyone in the world can access - with no need for official approval or even an agent.

National Character

[from JohnS]

I wrote the following (slightly modified) to a friend who sent me an e-mail video of Muslims demonstrating here in the US because of Israel’s attack on Palestine. As part of the video, a woman was shown carrying a sign “Nuke Israel”. Another sign said Israel go to hell. The video can be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/7fekss

I believe we are a moral and ethical people. I believe our national government is moral and ethical in their foreign relations. However, I feel that nationally we are without the character to stand up to rogue peoples and nations without compromise as I discuss at the end of my e-mail.

Hi, ________, I am going to pontificate a little

I watched the video and came away with mixed feelings.
They have the right to express themselves in America.
We should be tolerant of other peoples.
It was a relatively small gathering. There was no damage.
It was filmed by amateurs and maybe, probably, not balanced.
They probably were not speaking for all Palestinians, rather a small group of rabble rousers.
With that said:
Why did I watch it? By doing so, am I buying into their goals?
What is hate speech? A Nuke Israel sign, an Israel go to hell sign?
Are we too tolerant, are we giving our freedom away?
I support Israel in this case.
If Cuban terrorists were shooting rockets into southern Florida, would we be so tolerant?
Would we allow such a demonstration in Ft. Lauderdale? I am afraid we might!
I ask again, are we giving our freedom away? I am afraid we might!
I cannot stay neutral, I cannot be fair handed, and I could not negotiate a cease-fire.
A cease-fire protecting people who were shooting rockets into Israel before they attacked.
A people who tolerate Hamas?
A people who allow Hamas to fire rockets from their residential areas so that retaliation will
cause causalities amongst innocents.
Innocent Palestinians, their own people, yet!
At some point, we as Americans have to stand up and be counted.
Not by employing our military overseas.
But by clearly stating to the world that:
We will give no support to any terrorist group or nation that supports terrorism.
We will fully support any nation in its fight against terrorism.
Religious ideology is no justification for hate, intolerance or terrorism.
Historical abuses, real or imagined, are no excuse for continued hate, intolerance or
terrorism.
Nations and peoples who engage in terrorism or support terrorism will have to accept the
bitter fruits of their actions and support.
We will not speak or act on their behalf in any form.

Those last two sentences are extremely important, the media, especially the Islamic media loves to show mothers weeping, dead and wounded children, homes destroyed. We as a civilized caring nation are horrified. We would love to ride and do ride to their aid without considering that in doing so we are aiding and abetting terrorism.

[from JohnS]