Comments on: Power to the Powerless

By: sally

sally — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:16:55 +0000

Its interesting what you say about people’s behaviour changing in an economic downturn. I can really feel a greater sense of community in these times and i guess that has negative and positive aspects. After the second world war, there was a great sense of community- people often unite around a common enemy. The enemy now is the fat cats in wall street.

By: Victor Houghton

Victor Houghton — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:55:52 +0000

I suggest it’s a British thing. Genetically or lawfully unable to protest (just look at the French), the Great British Public go on a virtual rampage, and only feel powerful when attacking easy targets. Perhaps the economic downturn has made them more liable to pick easy scapegoats such as lower class criminals, swearing celebrities and televised dance competitions.

By: belindaparmar

belindaparmar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:34:02 +0000

A point very well made. Sites like facebook are magnifying, accelerating and encouraging a much greater number of people to be involved. However, nothing will bring back Baby P or erase the misery he had to endure in his short interrupted life.

By: thatgirl

thatgirl — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:55:55 +0000

‘But are we witnessing technology enabling democracy at its best?’

I’m not soo sure. In the case of ‘Baby P’. I have to wonder if all those people who are on social networks promoting violence to be handed down to the the parents of baby P are not just as perverse as the accused.

Who is going to strike the first blow on those who harmed baby P?
Who will draw first blood? and will we classify the person as any less offesive and perverse because the subject of their violence ‘deserved it’?

The only thing social networking groups are doing, is magnifying what already exists.
I’ll use an ‘old school’ example to illustrate the point.
Facebook was not around when lynching parties were happening.