Okay, so I was recently scanning all I have written for various blogs in the past few weeks, because I have been backed up on a demand for people wanting me to write on various music blogs/political blogs/personal sites. I found an article rather intriguing, wrote up on it with my own personal account relaying to the big picture and here it is. I don't know how many people had read or heard about the news topic, but it was an amazing read, so here is what I contributed:
It has become apparent that the social networking site Twitter, a site that enables one to post up to 140 character conversations made readily available for the public of the internet to view via phone, PC, laptop, etc, is more than the current Myspace that enables you to see "how awesome your hair is looking" from the last uploaded photo.
About three weeks ago, while taking photographs of a protest going on in Egypt, his assignment topic being Egyptian bloggers, UC Berkeley graduate journalism student James Karl Buck was arrested by Egyptian police. It was noted he had been photographing a demonstration on freedom of press, which in Egypt that is strictly prohibited, the only exemption being the internet.
Buck, is one of the many who use the Twitter network, and from his cell phone, was able to send the one word message: "ARRESTED", immediately there were others on his network that knew where he was and what could have possibly gone wrong. Followers hastily contacted the American Embassy and Berkeley campus and were able to get a lawyer and free Buck hours later.
This story, a positive aspect of the internet usage on a global, is one that is far from over. This is, in a sense, a battle for progression and regression between the advancing media and the government of Egypt. A country cannot continually oppress the people of their freedom of press and make any advances on a global scheme. Buck says he will return to Egypt. The hostility and oppression of Egyptian bloggers is an issue that needs to be resolved immediately.
On a different chord, this is positive news for the Twitter network. It really shows that it acts as a close knit community where everyone cares and keeps up constantly with others. From my experience with it, it's a great site. At around the exact same time this event was occurring, while I was in San Francisco, I called up a fellow twitterer whom I had been talking to frequently for quite some time and we met up at the Berkeley campus for their open house (small world, relating to where the head story is). You are able to develop a close friendship with others, and for example, if someone twitters they are sick, I am usually the first to say something back like "go drink up some orange juice and celery"(which is also an inside joke on the celery part of course). The site has really proved to be a helpful tool in serious situations and in every day conversations.
To check out the success and ramblings of Twitter:
here's mine http://twitter.com/55566688833
Also, original posting at http://ruelbobet.com
Wow. That's amazing that a social networking site was able to help free him. Great blog! You've got me intrigued now...I think I might brush up on some news that I've been avoiding...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
yeah, it is pretty amazing that a network such as Twitter can host such amazing actions. and I'm surprised no one already blogged the article on here already either. Certainly, it's not as mainstream, but equally as important as a whole.