Category Archives: Internet Philosophy

This section contains posts that chart or comment upon the Internet as a medium. How does it affect our lives, our societies, our cultures and our politics? What are the trends that shape the technology? What are the fundamental differences between The Net and other means of communication.

This Week on Twitter

Posted on 9 May 2011 by Robert

Was it last year, or 2009, or maybe 2008, that was branded “The Year of Twitter”? I am tempted to say that it’s an accolade deserved this year too. We’ve had the Arab Spring, the Japanese earthquake, the Royal Wedding … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet Philosophy, Media | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shirky’s Third Way

Posted on 27 April 2011 by Robert

Here’s Clay Shirky in Cognitive Surplus, discussing differing views on human behaviour and how that affects political ideology: Assumptions that people are selfish can become self-fulfilling prophecies, creating systems that provide lots of individual freedom to act but not a … Continue reading →

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#18daysinEgypt

Posted on 6 March 2011 by Robert

A few weeks ago I suggested that a project be launched to publish the thoughts and policies of the Tahrir Square think-tank. The nearest realisation of this I have come across so far is the #18daysinEgypt project, which seeks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Internet Philosophy, Media, Visual | 1 Comment

How Much Code Should A Citizen Know?

Posted on 21 February 2011 by Robert

If I want to start a mass movement but have no scripting skills, am I missing a trick? If I want to start a new local campaign, but have no clue as to how to pull and push data from an API, am I doomed to failure? Continue reading →

Posted in Internet Philosophy | 4 Comments

By Spreading Out We’re Harder To Stop

Posted on 21 February 2011 by Robert

I am sure readers will be aware of the long-running global discussion about the role social media can play in revolutions.  Clearly, Facebook and Twitter can catalyse opposition to authoritarian regimes, and spread news of protests and government oppression between … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Human Rights, Internet Philosophy | 1 Comment

Farringdon Lane Docking Station

Posted on 18 February 2011 by Robert

Right then, here’s my tentative foray into the world of webtools for urban living: The Farringdon Lane Docking Station on Twitter. Continue reading →

Posted in Diary, Internet Philosophy, London | 4 Comments

More thoughts on the Tahrir Square ‘think-tank’

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Robert

he use of the word ‘think tank’ to describe the discussions taking place within the square caught my eye, because it implies discussions of policy and new political structures: More forward looking, and less reactive. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Egypt, Internet Philosophy | 4 Comments

A simple idea to help the pro-democracy movement in #Egypt: Publish

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Robert

How about the people of Europe and North America, with their unrivalled and unfettered communications network, publish the preliminary findings of this new think-tank? Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Index on Censorship, Internet Philosophy, Media, Middle East | 2 Comments

#Egypt, The Most Important Data Nexus on the Planet

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Robert

ecause this place, soon to be the most important data nexus on the planet, happens to be constructed virtually on top of the ruins of the Great Library of Alexandria. Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, History, Internet Philosophy, Literature | 1 Comment

Global Culture vs International Culture

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Robert

Global != International Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Cultures, Internet Philosophy, Multiculturalism | Leave a comment