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I hear time and time again here on DU people wondering why there isn't more people out raged and in the streets protesting our government.
Could it be, and I'm only postulating here, that that rise of the internet and it's power to basically give everyone and anyone a voice to spew out their views, positive or negative, has acted as sort of a vent and has blunted protests?
Certainly it's the reason why newspaper circulation is down. It's also the reason, in my opinion, the MSM has become completely sensationalist in it's broadcasting because it has to now try and compete with internet news that is updated by the minute. So they use false controversy and shiny objects to keep peoples attention.
We all get angry and pissed off at the government* and I know I come on here and write my posts to sometimes blow off some steam so I don't go crazy.
Just think, however, if there was no internet, no immediate area to express your disdain for our current state of politics, what would you do? Would you protest more? Would you be more active in a public forum? Would you stand on a soap box on a street corner voicing your opinion in hopes of informing the public? Would you march more? would you stage sit ins? Would there be, like in the 1960's and 70's, happenings?
How would we express our anger? Our frustration? our simple disbelief that our rights have been ripped away from us without so much as a thought to repercussions?
Blogging has served as a major source of information. Many an excellent internet news organization has arisen due to this failed administration*. A brilliant pool of journalists and reporters have found a voice because of this medium, but yet, there are still no rioting protests in the streets.
We have virtual petitions, virtual protests and virtual sit ins, but it is we who still cheer on those who do them for real, however minor, however infrequent and the majority don't join in ourselves (purely supposition).
Ironically, I'm here to complain about a medium that give me a voice when I had none. I write my views because I'm frustrated by the overwhelming apathy in todays society. Yet, I'm apathetic over the government and this feeling of being completely powerless in impeaching them. Why?
Because as I have stated, I write, blow off my anger, then move on. I seethe, I am filled with angst, but as long as I can vent on the internet, it never ever will reach that boiling point.
I think the government knows that. Counts on that.
So I guess, in a way, I'm nothing more than a self loathing internet protester.
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