Three quick thoughts on Egypt
- One of the main reasons quoted in favor of the internet as an instrument of political change is its resilience - the fact that it is very difficult to control or even to shut down. As of today, we know that at least in some cases, the internet actually can be shut down.
- Ironically, the decision of the Egyptian government to completely disconnect the country might prove to be the spark that transforms the protest into a full-blown revolt.
- The debate on the role of the internet in situations like these will continue. On one hand, the Egyptian government obviously sees internet services as a threat, suggesting it has (or had) a crucial role in coordinating protests. On the other hand, the protests have continued even with the internet down - suggesting that it was not the driving force behind the protests.
If you want to follow the situation in Egypt, you can watch Al Jazeera English live here, or follow Jan25 Voices on Twitter, where reports out of Egypt are aggregated.
