The internet is a powerful medium and as such it ought to be looked upon with great respect. Like with anything that has the capability to reach the
masses like with books, newspapers, radio, and television it can be manipulated. The internet is no different, and I hope the masses can see it for
what it is? In light of what you have said Proto about this topic, I have to share with everyone a clip from the movie
The Network. It sums up
quite succinctly what you are getting at with the power of the internet, and how it can be abused by others.
As the main character, Howard says, "We are in a lot of trouble!" If people take everything they see and read on the internet as the truth, then we
are in trouble. In the clip he is talking about the television, but it can apply to any communications medium. As one of my old journalism professor
taught me in what seems like eons ago, "If your mother tells you she loves you, double check!" It doesn't take much to double check or verify what
is being said to form a rational opinion on a given subject. If ample verification is not readily available? Toss what is being said in the trash,
because it is probably not worth it's weight in gold.
I for one would not like to get bamboozled, and I hope others feel the same way? Lets not let our passions get the best of us. I hope these protesters
think long and hard what they are doing and who exactly is pulling the strings. When the smoke and dust settles, hopefully they are happy with
whomever or whatever fills the void.
For one thing, I am somewhat relieved that people are at least showing that they still have pulse. I mean that in terms of the protests, but I am
fearful of what they are going to get in return? Did they bite off more than they could chew? I have to look at anything on the internet with a
granule of skepticism especially these demonstrations happening the world over, I for one do not live there or have an ear to the street. With that
being said, how can I or anyone who is not there or have ever been there form a position on it? Basically, all we are doing is giving an opinion on
it, and that my friends should always be taken with a grain of salt. All we can do to form a responsible view on it is to sift through the information
that is pummeled out of Eygpt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya or wherever the latest uprising is gathering steam. They are there and we are wherever we are.
Now, for the WWIII aspect as highlighted in the OP. Could the internet be used as a medium to spurn conflict worldwide? Of course it could, and is at
the present moment. It is no different than when other mediums of the past have been used to achieve similar aims. It is a duty of any adult to sift
through the BS and propaganda with a rational mind, before lending support to anything. A healthy dose of skepticism is in good order when being
pummeled with a deluge of information 24/7, because we are not machines or super computers. To make a long story short as my journalism professor
taught me, "If your mother says she loves you, double check!" Great thread Proto! Very thought provoking!