Philip Howard directs the NSF-funded World Information Access Project (wiaproject.org), and in September 2010 Oxford University Press published his book, The Internet and Islam: The Digital Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy.
This post is categorized in: Social Media
I am very excited to have a chance to hear Dr. Howard to speak about the events in Egypt and Tunisia. This is a great moment in history and it is fascinating to see the role of communication, internet and social media in the Upraising of Egypt. Freedom and democracy is priceless but unfortunately some people pay with their own lives in order to reach this goal. I am hoping and praying for a somehow peaceful transition to democracy, just like we had in Brazil
I agree with Dr. Phillip Howard in regards to the importance traditional storytelling has played in the latest uprising events in Arab countries.
The image of the Tunisian young entrepreneur catching himself on fire, because he felt tormented by the local police, was compelling; and as a result it mobilized others into action within Tunisia. Through social media, the story also mobilized people simultaneously around the entire region.
Today we are benefiting from technological tools that are accelerating our communication and collaboration in more effective ways. Tools, like Twitter, which allow people to share their experiences and tips on what to do in a particular situation, such as the protests, were not possible six years ago.
Storytelling has been a powerful skill since ancient times. People fought wars, fell in love, and followed leaders all because of a compelling story. The uprising events throughout the Arab region started with a compelling story and now, more than ever, I believe that stories have a powerful effect.
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To further Zanna’s comment “unfortunately some people pay with their own lives” and Ivan’s where he notes the image of the Tunisian entrepreneur is “compelling”, I am currently haunted by the image of Lara Logan in the streets of Egypt as she recovers from her personal injuries there.
So many images and stories arise from such an upheaval, some celebratory, some sobering. Perhaps time will tell which stories and images define the events and how history is shaped. It’s interesting too, how quickly these stories make the larger event so personal and real. These social tools make that personalization even more attainable.
So I join Zanna in ‘hoping a praying for a somehow peaceful transition to democracy’.
As conditions develop further I think Dr. Howards work in this area will become more foundational.