“Social Software and the Politics of Groups” is a neat little article about the tensions between groups and individuals online. I don’t agree that we’re in a digital metropolis entirely, but a chaotic system definitely. And i definitely believe that all digital tools will be put to social uses fundamentally. Anyhow, good for the records…
My non-cellphone friends always ask me what the point is in having one. I usually recount what it took for me to convince a friend to get one: it means that you can procrastinate making plans even more!
But seriously, i’ve envisioned and wanted to live in a mobile culture for a long time. I love the fact that no one knows where i’m at or from (particularly since i live in California and have a Rhode Island phone number). I love that i can choose when and where i will answer my phone (and i’ve definitely developed a strict set of personal social norms that i believe everyone should follow… kinda like my road rules). That said, the US is still sooooo far behind in mobile culture (compared to, say, Japan). SMS, mobile web access and moblogging has not permeated US culture because of our corporate pricing structures. Cell phone are still predominantly post-18 year olds (the result of early credit card requirements). It pains me to realize that we continue to get further and further behind in mobile culture…
Apparently, i should’ve known about ryze.com for quite some time (as it’s basically friendster with the focus being on finding business connections). Of course, the thing is that this reverts to my typical problem: i am *not* a business girl… really, i just wish someone would know what to do with my skills and put me to work. I’d be good at that.
It seems as though the Discover article has created some interest.
Roland Piquepaille blogged it.
And a variety of other folks linked to it.
Why is this interesting to me? Well, i want to know who these people are.. what are they working on? Ah… social networks invade one’s life…
I’ve been very cranky with the whole proposed TIA/Capps II/Patriot II (surprise). One of my main frustrations with this proposed legislation is that most actions will not actually provide security, but will simply eliminate privacy in a way that it will never be returned. We will continue our path towards the Panopticon like a skateboard out of control – faster and faster with no comfortable way to halt.
So, while i still feel useless in making change within this very disturbing government, i support the ACLU in doing so in any way that i can. Today’s action: write your representatives about the CAPPS II Airline Profiling system (as terrorists have figured out how to avoid it while regular citizens are banned from flying).
Because i’m subscribed to the NYTimes, i got to fill out a survey for them. Of course, i obliged ’cause… well, it was a survey. One of the questions that was asked was how i felt about the NYTimes – whether it was my only source of news, my ideal, my favorite, or some negative statement. It made me think.. what is my favorite source of news these days? If i want to see what the news media is saying, i go to google news. But really, the way that i prefer to watch this war is via blogdex. There’s something powerful about a lot of disgruntled bloggers desperately wanting to know what’s going on and thus the popular voice is just fascinating!
The Free Republic community proved the power of action when they freeped the Dixie Chicks after they said a very benign comment about being embarassed. Radio stations pulled their songs thinking that thousands of people were outraged. But those thousands of people were from a very small community who magnifies their voice to sound like they represent everyone. And they make waves.
I was thinking.. the left doesn’t really have an equivalent. I always feel guilty calling some place twice because i want to share my one vote, one voice. It’s weird because i guess we could blast those who are so vigilently pro-war, but it just seems so strange. Thus, things don’t get heard. Like, i was *stunned* today when i found out that most of the east coast media did not even cover Rachel Corrie’s death (or blamed her for being a radical freak). I really want to secede.
To celebrate last night’s stupidity with some humor: Powell Offers Proof of Saddam-Osama Link. In a bold move of social network applications, Powell clearly shows that there are only 6 degrees between Saddam and Osama (and of course, it goes through Kevin Bacon). Of course, like all good connections, it can be simplified from there.
OK… sometimes, humor really is the best medicine – Fun Live Journals:
Saddam Hussein
Yasser Arafat
George W. Bush
Controversial Russian lesbian duo a hit: Clad in skimpy tank tops, teenage pop stars Lena and Yulia giggle and clasp hands on a Russian television talk show as their hit music video is played for a studio audience.
A professor told me yesterday that she thought that there’s been a reduction in gay teen suicide because it’s so much more socially acceptable. I wonder how much this is true, or how much it is felt in the more rural areas of the world. I wonder how teen lesbian popstarts would be treated in the US…