Best of the Web

The articles below contribute (some directly, others indirectly) to a dialogue questioning the role of new technologies and a reformation or redefinition of socialism. One needs to look no further than the relationship between Twitter and the Iranian elections to have reason for this debate. New technologies seem to depreciate faster than a used Pontiac Sunfire, so it is no doubt that Twitter cannot form the foundation of any kind of long-term social movement. Still, to embrace the moment — however short and temporary — when social networking technologies can become sites of resistance showcasing a plurality of voices is critical.

Free As In Freedom

An interesting piece on how the ‘digital generation’ is accustomed to free, open access to information, music, movies and each other, and as a result are unconsciously resisting corporate control of culture.

• Free as in Freedom — Redpepper.org

The New Socialism

This Wired feature comments on the influence of peer-to-peer file sharing, social networking sites and open source programs on the way with which we organize. Despite a misunderstanding of socialism (Kelly seems to conflate socialism with communism), this piece helps raise some important questions on whether or not new technologies can form the base of a new social movement.

• The New Socialism: Global Collectivist Society is Coming Online by Kevin Kelly — Wired Magazine

Twittering in Tehran

These social networking sites also change how T.V. news and newspapers gather their stories, where they get their information and the angle from which they report. MacPhail is optimistic that the flood of tweets from Iran has changed the news media game: social capital has now replaced investment capital.

• Twittering in Tehran and How the Small is the New Big by Wayne MacPhail — Rabble.ca

You Provide the Tweets, We’ll Provide the Info War

Bratich provides a critical reminder that the while the plethora of alternative voices via Twitter may help mainstream media break out of the incestuous, self-referential circle of ‘reliable, independent’ sources, we must continue to be just as objective with Tweets as we are with every other news source.

• You Provide the Tweets, We’ll Provide the Info War by Jack Bratich — Counterpunch.org

The 18th Brumaire of Barack Obama

Before we get too committed to the possibility of a digital revolution, we need to be reminded that there are issues outside a Facebook post that are renewing interest in socialist and Marxist thought. The Globe’s Ian Brown, with the help of Leo Panitch, discuss how the financial collapse has lead to a resurgence of interest in Marxism.

• The 18th Brumaire of Barack Obama by Ian Brown — The Globe and Mail