Epic Flail

Pardon while I unleash this cultural studies rant. The one joy of watching things un-fold via the Internet is the detachment and the “outside looking in” comfort one has. There’s a sense of security; a “hey I’m participating” but not really aspect.

My graduate studies centered heavily on IP law, copyright violations, freedom of speech and the Internet. So, naturally, I felt inclined to track the ruckus this SOPA and Protect IP bill were causing. Yes, it’s important that neither of these policies make it out of their respected chambers. They are damaging and bring us closer to a 1984-esque big brother mode.

Critiquing of the bills is just one side of the coin. The other side, the one that peaked my interest during school (and obviously still does today) is the reactive. What are people really doing about it?

So, the Internet has provided us with an excellent platform to voice opinions, share opinions and to gather information. It has also, as I mentioned, detached us from actual action. In class, we studied countless case studies of social movements via the Internet. I’m talking the Iranian Twitter fiasco, or the fall of the Egyptian government through the lens of Social Media or even as old school as the massive use of texting during the People’s revolution in the Philippines. There is a discernible flow here:

Person —> Internet/Technology Outlet —> Call to Action —> Action.

There are also levels of participatory and democratic theory that I’m skimming over; but I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say that in order for this to work, to enact real change, the process must be completed.

BUT, what happens when the technology outlet becomes the call to action and action mashed into one? People might say: “well, I’ve done my part. I’ve changed my profile picture to green!” or “I’ve posted this link to my Facebook wall, done.”

Is that enough to warrant a stamp of participatory/democratic approval? Maybe? It seems to fall short in my book. There are plenty of authors who have explored this idea and many have labled us a lazy counterpart to our protesting activist parents. Ouch.

We’ll see how this all plays out. It’s also quite intriguing to watch the dynamic between Congress, the little guys and the tech giants. A spot on metaphor of our nation’s biggest problems; Congress only answers to corporations. We’re just lucky that this time, they’re on the little guys side.