TEDxTbilisi - Camilla Hawthorne - Civil Society Rebooted

Summary

The speaker discusses the rapid pace of technological change, comparing past fears about new media like the telegraph and telephone to current concerns about the internet. They highlight the web's potential for positive change, such as transnational connections, increased public discourse, and a shift towards more participatory journalism and governance. Despite challenges like the digital divide and the need for media literacy, the speaker remains optimistic about the democratic potential of new technologies.

Takeaways

• 📜 The pace of technological change is exponential, with more development in the last year than in the past ten or even thousands of years.
• 🌐 The internet and social media platforms have connected the world in unprecedented ways, fostering global communication and relationships.
• 📡 Historically, new technologies like the telegraph, telephone, and phonograph were met with skepticism and concerns about societal impact.
• 🗣️ Critics argue that the internet leads to 'slacktivism' and apathy, but such fears have been present with every new technology.
• 🌟 The potential of the internet for positive change is significant, but it's still emerging and requires careful evaluation and understanding.
• 🌍 The internet facilitates transnational connections, making it easier to maintain relationships across vast distances.
• 🏙️ Online public spaces for discussion challenge the notion of 'filter bubbles' and can actually increase exposure to diverse viewpoints.
• 🔄 The lines between content creators and consumers are blurring, leading to more participatory and collaborative forms of journalism and governance.
• 🇮🇸 Examples like Iceland's crowdsourced constitution show how the internet can be used for significant democratic processes.
• 🌐 The digital divide is a significant barrier to realizing the full potential of the internet for global participation and democracy.
• 💡 Media literacy is crucial for ensuring that people can effectively engage with and benefit from the opportunities provided by new technologies.

Q & A

When was the printing press invented?

The printing press was invented in 1444.

When did the first radio stations begin broadcasting in the United States?

The first radio stations began broadcasting in the United States in 1920.

When did network television programs begin in the United States?

Network television programs began in the United States in 1948.

In what year was the worldwide web invented?

The worldwide web was invented in 1990.

What was the first online social community mentioned in the script?

The script mentions GeoCities as one of the first online social communities.

When did Google emerge?

Google emerged in 1998.

What was the main point the speaker was trying to convey about the pace of technological change?

The speaker was trying to convey that the pace of technological change is happening more and more quickly, with exponential growth rather than linear growth.

What historical context does the speaker provide regarding the fear of new technology?

The speaker provides historical context by mentioning how past technologies like the telegraph, telephone, and phonograph were met with skepticism and fear, similar to current concerns about the web.

What is one example the speaker gives of how technology has transformed personal relationships?

The speaker gives the example of her mother, who could now communicate daily with her family in Italy using Facebook and Skype, which was not possible when international calls were expensive and infrequent.

What is the concept of 'filter bubble' mentioned in the script?

The 'filter bubble' concept refers to the idea that people might segregate themselves into small online communities defined by ideology, potentially losing exposure to new ideas.

How does the speaker suggest the web might change the relationship between content creators and consumers?

The speaker suggests that the web might blur the boundaries between content creators and consumers by making journalism and leadership more participatory, collaborative, and dynamic.

What is the 'disaggregated state' concept mentioned in the script?

The 'disaggregated state' is a concept in international relations theory suggesting that authority is no longer concentrated in the nation-state but is being diluted and spread among entities like nongovernmental organizations and international bodies.

What is the We the People online petition website mentioned in the script?

The We the People online petition website is an initiative by the Obama administration to give activists more direct access to the administration, where anyone over 13 can submit a petition that, if it reaches a certain threshold, will be reviewed by the administration.