The Rise of Something New
Like most of the internet, I've been thinking quite a bit lately about Wikileaks. I'm wondering if the massive dumps are a sign that the nation state is about to be superseded by another entity.
I'm saying that governments, as the holders of trust and information are losing power and leverage. Google Maps gives us spy satellite pics - Kindle ebooks are more efficient than a library (@blankfist will love this) and online community sourced "money bombs" have proven much more effective than political stump speeches and train tours.
I don't think countries are going to perish soon, but in a quiet revolution, they may slowly cede power to another organisation - the online community. Community manager with mad power lust you say? Perhaps. But that's where the eyeballs are these days - engaged online with groups of people sharing common interests and only sometimes common timezones.
When Google and Facebook start selling health insurance, you will know that things are rolling this way. Soon, a Microsoft Passport won't be just a way to get on their shitty mail system.
I'm saying that governments, as the holders of trust and information are losing power and leverage. Google Maps gives us spy satellite pics - Kindle ebooks are more efficient than a library (@blankfist will love this) and online community sourced "money bombs" have proven much more effective than political stump speeches and train tours.
I don't think countries are going to perish soon, but in a quiet revolution, they may slowly cede power to another organisation - the online community. Community manager with mad power lust you say? Perhaps. But that's where the eyeballs are these days - engaged online with groups of people sharing common interests and only sometimes common timezones.
When Google and Facebook start selling health insurance, you will know that things are rolling this way. Soon, a Microsoft Passport won't be just a way to get on their shitty mail system.
14 Comments
blankfistI just dropped a money bomb in my toilet. Sans money.
gwiz665I like to make massive dumps on the Internet too... smells like victory.
Centralization is slowly crumbling in all aspects, it's a good thing. Maybe we will reinvent the idea of citystates like phyles and gather in communities of like minded people. Our very own types of Galt's Gulch, where different types of leadership, government or lack of the same will be instated. Certainly an interesting thought.
kronosposeidonGoogle Maps isn't going to build roads. Amazon.com will not house original documents. World of Warcraft will not provide for the common defense. Foodnetwork.com will not inspect meat processing plants. Drugs.com will not order unsafe drugs off the market. Quizlaw will not be your defense attorney.
Maybe some day some of the above-mentioned services (and others not mentioned) will be provided by the webosphere, but don't hold your breath. Ones and zeros are not the same as boots on the ground.
I'm a firm believer that the number one purpose of power is to preserve itself. I don't agree with the sentiment, but I believe it's true all the same. Governments may privatize some of their functions, but they will not go gentle into that good night. There will be no cyber-velvet revolution. There will just be the good old-fashioned revolution. Period. With guns, blood, and fields where a thousand corpses lie.
Why do something peacefully when you can kill by the millions?
FusionautAt least our Governments will be more accountable from now on. Even if wikileaks is forced to shut down something new will step into its place. It's nice to know that we have access to the truth now. It's hard to say if current governments will be replaced by something new within our lifetime but it certainly is time for a paradigm shift of some sort.
Fusionautoh and *quality
dagComment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)
Exactly- I like to think that I'm a little bit sensitive to plate tectonics of societal change - my futurist sense is tingling off the scale at the moment and telling me that we're at one of those cusps where everything can change.
OK, maybe the state isn't going to be replaced by online communities. I may be viewing things through my own personal bias (and delusions of grandeur *ahem*) but something BIG is happening - and my best guess is that the state is due to be seriously downgraded in the future to be replaced with -- something.
>> ^Fusionaut:
At least our Governments will be more accountable from now on. Even if wikileaks is forced to shut down something new will step into its place. It's nice to know that we have access to the truth now. It's hard to say if current governments will be replaced by something new within our lifetime but it certainly is time for a paradigm shift of some sort.
GeeSussFreeK>> ^dag:
Exactly- I like to think that I'm a little bit sensitive to plate tectonics of societal change - my futurist sense is tingling off the scale at the moment and telling me that we're at one of those cusps where everything can change.
OK, maybe the state isn't going to be replaced by online communities. I may be viewing things through my own personal bias (and delusions of grandeur ahem ) but something BIG is happening - and my best guess is that the state is due to be seriously downgraded in the future to be replaced with -- something.
>> ^Fusionaut:
At least our Governments will be more accountable from now on. Even if wikileaks is forced to shut down something new will step into its place. It's nice to know that we have access to the truth now. It's hard to say if current governments will be replaced by something new within our lifetime but it certainly is time for a paradigm shift of some sort.
I think you're on to something there dag. With that, though, comes the QM's of clenched teeth. The birthing pains of this kind of order might be great indeed, which I fear.
quantumushroomI think you're on to something there dag. With that, though, comes the QM's of clenched teeth. The birthing pains of this kind of order might be great indeed, which I fear.
Information has consequences. Just as you would not be thrilled if your home address, account numbers and SS number/other national equivalent appeared on billboards about town, so you should be concerned about rogues exposing classified national security documents, which assange the anarchist attention whore did.
The "Truth" never set anyone free. For fks sake, the US Treasury is now headed by a tax cheat, and they knew he was well BEFORE he was appointed. Then you've got criminal prcks like democrat charlie rangel getting 'censured' instead of thrown in prison.
Put another way Dag, would you like China to have all the specs on Australia's defense capabilities? Would you really feel better because the Australian government had been "kept honest?"
dystopianfuturetodayI felt that way a few years back, but recently I've become very cynical. It's true that we have access to more information, but I don't see it being used to make things better.
Big business has never had more control over our government than it does right now. Income inequity has never been worse than it is right now. The population is booming, while corporations are automating and laying off workers, sending jobs to third world nations. It's a race to the bottom.
We are too comfortable and apathetic to make the changes needed. I'm very passionate in my beliefs, but I really don't do shit to change this world, other than argue with people on a very cool, but relatively small website. I can't really even think of anything I could do that would have any kind of impact at all. I feel powerless.
We are going to have to wait for some catastrophic event to force us into making changes. Global Famine? Economic collapse? Complete breakdown of society? Meteor? Nuclear holocaust? Global Climate change? I don't know. And if some catastrophic event does occur, there is no guarantee things will change for the better. The powerful have always been good at turning tragedy into capital.
If I didn't have hope, I wouldn't be typing this, but the older I get, the more I feel like the old donkey in Animal Farm.
GenjiKilpatrick@quantumushroom
Your reality makes my brain hurt.
dystopianfuturetodayBREAKING NEWS From Reuters
-Sheila Hogan reporting, Brisbane Aus, Dec. 8 2010
In a shocking move today, China launched full scale war on Australia in what pundits are now calling World War WTF!?!. Chinese Ruler, Sum Yung Gui, has told reporters that leaked documents on Australia's security were the catalyst for this impulsive assault. He was like, all, "OMG, I hate Australia, I hate them so much. I must attack them." Luckily for the residents of Australia, the attack only occurred in one very silly American mind, likely high on schwag and national pride.
campionidelmondoDoes Australia even have any valuable resources that China would be interested in? Apart from the future telling dag I mean.
deathcowI for one welcome our new ________________________________ overlords.
dystopianfuturetodayA ray of hope: http://videosift.com/video/Operation-Payback-begins-Hactivists-defend-WikiLeaks
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