Andy Oram

Review of Guobin Yang's "Power of the Internet in China"

by @praxagora  | +Andy Oram  | Comments: 129 September 2009

I've posted my review of The Power of the Internet in China: Citizen Activism Online, a combination of research and sociological analysis, here:

Book review

Relevant comments are welcome on this blog.

Comments: 1

Tom Crowl [ 4 October 2009 04:55 AM]

Thanks for this excellent review. Fascinating to note both the similarities and differences in how different cultures use the Internet for citizen connection and participation.

And a relief (but not surprising) to see a hunger for freedom, community and justice.

As you point out however, with your reference to "Open Networks, Closed Regimes: The Impact of the Internet on Authoritarian Rule", it's also possible for the Internet's implementation in particular cases to less than helpful towards these ends.

I believe the microtransaction in the area of political speech... and for the best development of global civilization... should take place through a neutral platform with Enlightenment standards owned by neither any single government nor any single private enterprise...

But rather owned by humanity as a whole.

I'm certainly one of the worst businessmen on the planet... and couldn't code 2+2 in basic,

But I think this is an important idea... and is worthy of some discussion. The political microtransaction can be critical for re-building confidence in our fraying social contract...

And also useful in educating populations with little experience in self-governance with the necessary standards for discourse and decision in society.

The Individually-Controlled/Commons-Dedicated Account...
Chagora

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