Social Tools Redefine History Telling
Until recently history has been written by the victors. Those who have seized power and control the media.
Today, we see the democratisation of content through the use of social and collaboration tools. Social networks and crowdsourcing tools provide the platforms. Digital tools such as the mobile phone, portable cameras and 3G/4G allow the story to not only be told by all participants, but also be witnessed by anyone.
It does not stop there, it is no longer a one way flow of information either. Often it is the visible reaction to content and the ability to quickly mobilise action that creates the movement.
It is no longer the victors that define history, or create a version of reality. This creates an uneasy balance of power which we are seeing in places like Egypt and Venezuela. Time is the only judge when it comes to how this will shape communities, countries and the world. However, we are witnessing a major shift in how we define democracy and governance.
Love that you highlighted that the shift is not only in who tells the story, but also who can receive it and what they can do with it.
I also love that technology gives everyone a voice (well, almost everyone – still an economic divide to cross). Traditionally, women and minorities have been silenced. Now we have women who have fueled revolution in countries where they have few rights. Truly is amazing to live in a day where technology challenges millenia-old communication theories and empowers everyone to speak, to be heard and to effect change. Thanks for sharing, Alasdair.
Thanks for your input Mark.
You make a very important point regarding access to digital tools and the ability to contribute. Indeed, many of the most oppressed people do not access to technology and tools we are starting to take for granted.
This is changing. Not fast enough, but as more and more people gain access to digital tools and are able to share their views, we will see an even greater impact. Think what Google, and now Facebook are doing with enabling access in areas that lack the infrastructure to connect, communicate and collaborate.
There are still many challenges that come with crowdsourced content and movements. Attaching authority to content is one area that needs attention, plus, as you point out, there is a risk that the haves will have the upper hand.
However, we have documentaries such as The Square, that allows us to see a side of history that we would never have been able to see before. this is exciting.