The United States government has long disseminated information to people living under repressive regimes — think of Radio Free Europe. But lately, Washington is trying a different tactic. The content of the information isn't the important thing; the emphasis is on supporting the technical infrastructure to enable people connect through online social networks like Facebook and Twitter. After that, the people can decide for themselves what to say. Communication itself erodes despots' authority. "The very existence of social networks is a net good," says Alec Ross, a senior adviser on innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
That's my contribution to the New York Times Magazine's Year in Ideas issue. It relies heavily on some powerhouse reporting done earlier in the year by Eli Lake. And it's hardly the coolest idea in magazine; be sure to check out Clive Thompson's looks at "Treating P.T.S.D. With Tetris" and "Zombie-Attack Science."
[Photo: Hamed Saber / Flickr]
ALSO:
- Web Attacks Expand in Iran's Cyber Battle
- Iran: Before You Have That Twitter-Gasm
- Iran's Tweets: Windows into Protests - or Digital Mirrors
- Taking to the Streets — and Tweets — in Tehran
- Tehran Threatens Bloggers, 'Deviant News Sites'
- Iran's Wired Generation Challenges Ahmadinejad
- Perils of Iran's Web-Driven Revolution
- NYC Tweeters Give Iran Boss the Green Middle Finger
