Egypt and social networking.

A still tender topic in members of my grade in school is the death of the instrumental teacher a few years back. Many of us were in Washington D.C for the 8th grade trip. As we emerged from the Holocaust Museum, many people were crying. It took only a few minutes before half of the students were pulling out their phones, receiving or sending text messages and gathering information about the teacher's death. News we wouldn't have heard until at least the end of the trip came streaming right into our palms in moments.

It is no wonder then that the Egyptian revolt emerged through the communication of technology. Twitter, Facebook and even texting were great ways for them to gather together against their president. Unlike other revolts like the French or American revolutions, there is no specific group of leaders. You cannot name off those who sparked these ideas. Instead, the internet and other social technologies have opened the rebellion to everyone. There is a constant flow of ideas, a sharing of concepts and news. This is modern history, happening right now, and of course what else should aid it but the social networking society has engulfed itself with?

Interestingly enough, journalist are being put in severe danger in Egypt. Conflict and tensions, as well as blame pointed at them for unneeded chaos has caused the endangerment of the journalist. Some journalist have been injured, while others have been arrested. Ayman Mohyeldin, a journalist who was arrested has been released. A mob sort of mentality has turned against journalism, leaving any safe news feed once more to the social networking.

I believe that by the time I'm thirty I will be an old cat lady who rejects technology and its improvements. Even at my young age, I grow frustrated with advancements I see as unnecessary and a waste of money. It is times like these I realize how obviously idiotic I am in those opinions. If technology can inspire a mass of people who have been silenced for over thirty years, who am I or anyone else to try to prevent it? Technology has an amazing way of uniting people, whether through common interest or social networks.

What began has an idea in the back of everyone's mind spread to a couple of post on twitter. These posts have fueled an outright revolt. Although I believe these people would have spoken up eventually, I am grateful to live in a time where technology can help free those who have been otherwise ignored.

Whether this uproar in Egypt is a good thing or bad, I'm not sure. It is probably somewhere in between. Either way, I believe the innovative response to the technologies is a truly remarkable step into modern times.