In this RSA animate, Evengy Morozov questions the ability of the Internet to increase political activism. Quoting examples of the Soviet Union, Britain, North Korea and Saudi Arabia, he says “most of what young people do online revolves around them communicating to each other or downloading entertainment… it’s not clear how they will advance this level of actually being politically active.”
Morozov encourages people to observe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. According to Maslow’s theory, human motivation can be mapped as a pyramid. At the very bottom are fundamental, basic human needs. At the top are needs for achieving one’s full potential.
Questions to consider:
- Why does Morozov suggest a psycological theory be applied to the Internet?
- Does everyone seem to be using similar communications devices?
- If there was an “Internet culture”, what would this culture look like?
It seems at least from this clip that Morozov is suggesting that individuals only reach the last stage of Maslaw’s hierarchy when they are through being “entertained” by the internet. Thats when individuals start to make better use of the internet when they understand the power that the internet provides.
To refer to your second question, perhaps we all are using similar communication devices but how many of us use it with the same intentions ?
As for your last question, I think we are in this internet culture already. From my perspective everywhere I walk I see people on their phones or laptops, we all check our emails and download new apps. I think what is important to notice however, is how many of us are actually using the internet to its full potential ? how many of us are using the internet as a tool for activism ? And if we are using it in this way does blogging have its limits ? Or can it make a difference ?
I think the events in Egypt can demonstrate that Facebook and Twitter were useful tools in their protests. It seems like people are realizing how much we can actually do with the internet.