Taiwan's Wild Strawberries Movement is gaining some global recognition. For more information, check out their website...
[English] http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/
[Mandarin] http://action1106.blogspot.com
The main message is "Since 6th November 2008, students in Taiwan have launched a sit-in movement against the "Parade and Assembly Law" which contradicts the Constitution Law. The movement fights for the human rights and the democracy in Taiwan."
I think it's wonderful and interesting to see how blogs and the Internet are now changing the way politics is done. You can see the effects clearly in the recent US presidential elections. Obama had huge grassroots and online support, but importantly, he listened and often responded to the voices from the net. For politicians to survive in the 21st century, they're going to have to learn to be able to respond as quickly and decisively as bloggers are in posting their thoughts.
As with any change, there's good and bad. The rapid and free flow of information and ideas is good for freedom of expression and democracy. But the caveat is that one has to be much more skeptical of the news source and whether the transmitted information is legitimate. So in the end, getting the truth out may not occur at a much quicker speed than conventional news media. But, the benefit is that a much wider and larger audience can access the news, i.e. there's less filtering. Overall, I believe it's a boon for independent bloggers to be tracking and sharing news.
My assessment, of course, is a little late. Bloggers have in fact become very powerful in shaping the way the Internet-using public perceives public issues. I just hope that they use their powers wisely.
As for the Taiwanese students, I think we need to offer them our support. Anytime young people step up and try to create change should be treated seriously and with respect. Youth are the future, and they need to be cultivated and educated. The government should consider engaging the students and rationalizing their methods of governance. What they shouldn't be doing is continuing to ignore the students.
[English] http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/
[Mandarin] http://action1106.blogspot.com
The main message is "Since 6th November 2008, students in Taiwan have launched a sit-in movement against the "Parade and Assembly Law" which contradicts the Constitution Law. The movement fights for the human rights and the democracy in Taiwan."
I think it's wonderful and interesting to see how blogs and the Internet are now changing the way politics is done. You can see the effects clearly in the recent US presidential elections. Obama had huge grassroots and online support, but importantly, he listened and often responded to the voices from the net. For politicians to survive in the 21st century, they're going to have to learn to be able to respond as quickly and decisively as bloggers are in posting their thoughts.
As with any change, there's good and bad. The rapid and free flow of information and ideas is good for freedom of expression and democracy. But the caveat is that one has to be much more skeptical of the news source and whether the transmitted information is legitimate. So in the end, getting the truth out may not occur at a much quicker speed than conventional news media. But, the benefit is that a much wider and larger audience can access the news, i.e. there's less filtering. Overall, I believe it's a boon for independent bloggers to be tracking and sharing news.
My assessment, of course, is a little late. Bloggers have in fact become very powerful in shaping the way the Internet-using public perceives public issues. I just hope that they use their powers wisely.
As for the Taiwanese students, I think we need to offer them our support. Anytime young people step up and try to create change should be treated seriously and with respect. Youth are the future, and they need to be cultivated and educated. The government should consider engaging the students and rationalizing their methods of governance. What they shouldn't be doing is continuing to ignore the students.
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