I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm pretty addicted to Facebook and Twitter. I love finding out what friends and family are up to and what they're thinking about. But social networking isn't just for socializing; it can be used for business, educational and even political purposes. In Iran, for example, where the results of the recent presidential election have resulted in massive demonstrations and political upheaval, the government has shut down access to events in the country to members of the foreign media. Find out how individuals in Iran are getting information out to the rest of the world, including the U.S., by clicking here. Then respond to one or more of the following prompts:
Why is it so important that "technology is able to play its sorely needed role in the crisis"?
Who might try to shut down access to social networking sites by Iranians? Why?
Why do you think the U.S. is trying to stay out of the election outcome dispute in Iran?
Can you think of other ways that social networking could be used politically in the U.S. or any other country? Please describe.
17 comments:
Well technology needs to be a big role in the Iranian election crisis. As we all know, the internet is the biggest way of comunicating now. Since Iran won't let our journalists see what's going on, the world has to know some how. Those silly Iranians should know you can't keep anything from America. *laughs* The people who might try to shut down social networking would probably be the people who were "not voted in." They probably don't want us to know because democracy is a big thing to Americans. They probably know they we would get p-od if we found out that someone's trying to mess that up. I'm not sure why we are staying out of the election dispute, but I think it could be since that's ssuch a touchy subject now, it might start some conflicts between Iran and us. lol...Politicians can always have their own version of myspace or facebook...and it will only be people in office or people running for office...it can be Politicsspace or politicsbook....or Americaspace lol...idk....that would be really cool though....
Sabrina
Bonjour, Mrs. Stotler! We all know that technology is a big part in the media. It's how we know up-to-date information and what happened in the past in a click of the mouse, the pressing of a remote, or the pounding of phone keys. Like Sabrina said, technology is a way to bring truth to the surface and we need to find it out somehow. As for people who would want to shut down sites by the Iranians, those people are probably political powers who don't want what they are doing to be brought to the surface. I think the US is trying to stay out of the election dispute in Iran because it isn't our election. The Iranians can choose for themselves, can't they? They don't need us to hold thier hands or wave guns in thier faces to influence them.
~H. Baker
Technology is the most common means of communication these days. How many people actually sit down and write out long, heartfelt letters nowadays? Not a whole lot of us. Until now, technology was just a novel idea for many people to have fun. Now, it's usefulness is coming out in the form of connection websites like Twitter because they're doing exactly what they're supposed to do: connect people all around the world about WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
When the people in Iran are being told what they can and cannot do, they're finding better ways to cheat. Since when does a couple groups of people know what's best for an entire nation? Not too often. So I think it's great that people all over are still getting to say what they want, through sites like Facebook and Twitter.
I think that it is wise that the U.S. tries to stay out of the disputes because we have enough on our plates. Its about time we stop sticking our noses in other nation's buisnesses. In this way, technology is bad, because what we don't know about, we can't meddle with... However, I think it's always important to be able to connect with people all over.
When Obama and McCain were running for the 08 election, many said that Obama had so much support from the younger age groups because he used much more internet advertising than McCain. This was one proven way that social networking was used in politics. The internet is also a great way to get public feedback, should the government ever want it.
America needs to know whats happening in Iran. The whole world does. Almost the whole world is a democratic nation. What if Iran decides that they don't want that? We need to make sure that the world is at peace. But what if Iranian governament get ticked because there people are letting the world know things they want to keep to themselves, through American made networking. That wouldn't be good. We got to stop nosing in other country's business unless it endangers us. In the longrun, us being nosy could lead to a war. ): Smart move America.
UH DUH! The Iranian government would be the one to blame for shutting down networking in Iran. Or could it be the U.S. trying to avoid conflict by shutting down networking? If the Iranians are shutting it down it could be because they don't want us to interfere. But with what? They could be trying to make a dictatorship secretly. And if they want that than they definently don't want Americans to hear about it. They know we'll shut them down right quick. Who would know?
Technology needs to be a big role the Iranian election crisis because all the information released about the crisis is censored by their government. In today’s times private citizens have the technology to use twitter, blogs, and cell phones to give updated or uncensored information. With just a click of a mouse or a press of a button, people can send any type of information around the world instantly. Iranians should know that as a world leader we keep an eye on everyone and countries with problems look towards us for money or help. It’s like were the sugar daddy of the world!
The Internet is one of the most influential pieces of technology in this age of history. Information from all over the world at lightning speed from one side of the globe to the other. Connection is what makes it so great.With the internet and social networks such as facebook, anyone can state their opinion...even if they want to speek out against their government. Democracy is a government by the people.
Since the election in Iran, "giving.. voices a chance to be heard" was needed in order to make it a true state of democracy.
The Iranian Government who was abviously against democracy would be a good suspect in shutting down the social network...if you stop communication between people, a people run government will fail.
The US is playing it smart. Our problems are to great to get mixed up in someone else's. but...if democracy fails in Iran, we'll be kicking ourselves in the butt later.
The internet can be a massive tool in politics. Gaining supporters, representing minorities, digging up black mail, making people look bad....all politics. As Jess said, Obama gained alot of his young supporters via the internet. And who can forget all the videos you looked up of madtv and late night shows that made fun of politicians.
Cory Y
Internet has become an extremely important means of communication throughout the years. Now one doesn't even need a computer to connect to the internet. Whip out ones Blackberry or iPhone and the whole world is in ones palm. I believe what Iran is doing at the moment is trying to make sure that outside forces do not have a say in the election. We have not been exceptionally nice to the Arab countries in the past, and I don't blame them for wanting us to stay out of their election. Unfortunately, I would not be surprised if the election was rigged in order for certain people's benefit. In this case I do believe that other countries should know what is going on. But until something crucial comes up I agree with Cory that America is making the right decision by staying out of the conflict.
The Iranian government is in a state of uprest after the reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Since conventional media is being denied access to the events in Iran, new media such as Facebook, twitter, and even Youtube, are playing a crucial role in allowing the Iranian citizens to keep the Global Network informed.
The Iranian Government is trying to keep the world in the dark, so why wouldn’t they try to shut down sites like Facebook that allow people to speak freely to other nations and amongst themselves? The recent election defines Iran as a democracy, unless of course it was a fixed election. The people of Iran are protesting because they don’t believe they got the president they voted for. Iran is shutting down these protests, and annihilating the people’s freedom of speech and other civil rights. Maybe they’re trying to shut down all communications because the election was fixed, and they don’t need the rest of the world butting into their politics. Sounds like a dictatorship if you ask me.
America needs to prioritize. Our struggling government needs to come before foreign nations, and the only way we need to become involved is if a disagreement directly involves us… or someone’s trying to take over the world. Cough World War II cough J For years the United States has had problems with Iran; Iran’s government took over our U.S. embassy there in 1979, which was the initial cause of our disagreements. In addition, Iran is currently a huge threat considering their nuclear developments. However, we don’t need to be the world’s police, and so far this situation hasn’t warranted our intervention.
Ni hao, Mrs. Stotler! I think that this whole thing shouldn't be a big deal, because Iran is its own country and I say let them make their own mistakes or sucess. I also believe that the Iranian government would be the ones that would try to shut down access to social networking sites by Iranians. I think their government would do that, because they don't want outside input on the election. I also believe that, because they don't want outside influences either, because as I stated earlier that Iran is its own country and they should make their own choices. I think its wrong that the United States is trying to basically run another country, because if another country would try to do that to the United States we wouldn't like it.
Toshiro
I feel like I’m repeating what the people before me have said, but in today’s society technology is everything…it’s the younger generations main way to communicate. While I was at camp we had a speaker come in to talk to us about what we upload onto our myspaces and facebooks. His job was when interviews people…to google and look into this person’s life through the internet. The same goes for colleges. We live in a world that we must accept what we put out there is made available to people everywhere….even around the world.
How many times have things been leaked online about a politician? At this camp I was exposed to a man named Pat Ford. He was formerly a huge politician in Pittsburgh…until some misinterpretations were splattered in the news and online. He left his post and was ostracized for things that weren’t even true. I think that this article is bias about online media. Or not so much bias, but lacks to tell you that these online sources can have negative impacts too and lead to misinterpretations. Yes this does provide us a way into the Iranian poltics, but all these sights are social networking sights. They are not facts, but only voices (these people could be radicals or liars or just the opposite regular people voicing their opinions). We cannot base our decisions as a country on something that is not concrete and differs person to persons. So this may allow us insight, but before we take any action as a country in something that is not our business…we must have more than a tweet!
-Cori Martin
Technology plays a huge role in everyday communication.Therefore, Iran should know that keeping our journalists away will only help them to an extent. The whole world does need to know what is happening there. It's a good thing that we don't want to become involved with the Iranian election crisis because it could cause further damage. Shutting down social networking might seem like a good solution to them, but we all know that it will anger people.
I disagree with them closing the newspapers and Web sites, because by doing this it limits the knowledge that the people have of whats going on in their own nation. But even though they did this, word will still travel by mouth and get back to the people. So, i don't get the point of going to the trouble of closing the newspapers and such because they can't stop people from knowing the truth. They definately should have though that one through.
The Iranian government would definitely be responsible for shutting down networking sites in Iran. They’re afraid something might not go their way in the election, and they don’t want people making the wrong decision. Iran seems like it has another controlling government, who’s afraid to have people discussing their opinions. The U.S should really stay out of the conflict because first of all, we need to let them run their own government, and try to solve our countries problems first. Second, if we get involved in their election. They might get the idea that it’s ok to get involved with our government, and we surely don’t need that.
Technology is power these days. Social networking brings people together. Events are organized, gatherings are set, discussions on hot topics take place, and most importantly- people become connected. Connection is powerful, it can turn a small group of protestors into a mighty force that the authorties dread to overcome.
Social netwotking due to technology creates movements and opposition to the greater power. In Iran, Facebook and Twitter have proven to do just that. Iranians have used Twitter to bring themselves together, to communicate, and share information about upcoming protests and meetings. They have taped footage of government officials hitting civilians, etc. Of course, the government officials are the ones who want to censor this- and have made attempts to do so. They want to have no association with acts of violence of chaos. Afterall, they are trying to win an election. I also find it fair to assume that they want to hide the election crisis from other nations- esp. the U.S.- to prevent them from interfering with their government and way of doing things.
As of right now, I believe that America is doing the right thing by laying low in this issue. I think the events in Iran should be allowed to play out on their own. The fact that we are aware of what is going on (thanks to social networking) is good- and if something happened that would effect several nations, including our own, then we should become involved.
Let me know what you think.
The United States is staying out of the election dispute in Iran for obvious reasons, it is smart diplomacy. Political ties between the U.S and Iran haven't been good in the past few decades. Furthermore, many Iranians possess anti-U.S views. If we were to get involved than that would give Iran further reason to hate the U.S. It would also give Iran more power in convincing other nations like them that the U.S is a "big bully." It might also make Iran's actions more justifiable if the U.S got involved. President Obama is trying to not strain relations with Iran more than they already are.
- Brian Fairbrother
Technology is something that is always advancing; it is constantly becoming smarter and improving. One thing that technology does is improve communication among people from all nations. With social networking websites and the internet you can find out what is happening most anywhere and anytime you want. Advancements in social networking have given the world more freedom of speech that will be harder to silence, so I think it is imperative that technology, such as Twitter and Facebook, play such a significant role in situations such as the Iran election.
I also think that it is a good thing that we, the US, do not involve ourselves in foreign nations' disputes unless our sovereignty is threatened or we are attacked. One reason I think we are staying out of the Iranian election dispute is because we have no diplomatic relations with Iran since the hostage crisis in 1979.
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