One could argue that the ultimate test for the power of social media would be to effect change on the totalitarian run ‘communist’ government in China, which perhaps represents the greatest degree of censorship and opposition to free speech. [If you would like to more fully understand the Chinese regime and what it is, you can read the nine commentaries at your liesure.]

In a difficult ‘one party’ non-elected type of government that has ultimate power, we might find the ultimate test for the ability of social media to create change. As evidenced by the MSNBC article, it is clear that at least there is some small value in using social media to effect change, even in a difficult environment such as that in China today.

I have to say that knowing the little bit that I know about China, I am surprised that social media had any effect at all. To be able to stop a trial or even put the charges on hold is utterly amazing to me.

I personally went to China in 2002 with a group of peaceful western and asian people to protest the violent persecution of Falun Gong in China. [read about the persecution at FalunInfo.net]. Therefore, I have first hand experience to physical supression by Chinese ‘authorities’. I use the term ‘authorities’ lightly because I do not believe the government of China to be legitimate due to the fact that the leaders are not elected.

As you can see from the aforementioned article, the power of social media is limited. In the face of enough physical suprression in the form of police or military, it is difficult to make lasting change. But in the few cases mentioned in the article, such as shutting down an incineration plant, being released from police custody and exposing corruption, there is a seed of hope.

When I read instances like this, I can make out the distant image at the end of a long and dark tunnel of a day when people can quickly relay the facts of an injustice and have an army of people then blog, tweet, and use social media to get the word out and perhaps have some power to create change. This would be a day when governments would be hyper conscious about what they are doing and the effect it has on people.

Even more encouraging would be the quick exposure of corruption – no matter where it is or what form it takes. Perhaps law agencies would be alerted to such crimes quickly and start their investigation.

When the situation reaches the point where people are afraid of exposure for what used to be ‘hidden’ transgressions and even criminal activity, they might think twice about doing what is wrong and take more time to consider what they could do that would be best for society.

This would have a powerful and very positive effect on our society at large and the world would truly become a better place for us to live, work and grow. Our lives would be better, happier and we would be closer to ‘utopia’. (Although, I doubt we will ever be at the full expression of that last term).

Alas, we are not anywhere near the manifestation of that vision, but if small changes can be affected by social media, especially in a place like China (with the current government being what it is) then there is indeed a small ray of hope!

Comments are welcome. I would like to hear your point of view!

This is a reply to a post by my friend Andy Crofford:

http://andycrofford.com/another-chance-to-learn-from-my-mistakes/

Andy, I truly relate to your story. I have been ripped off multiple, multiple times. One story is very similar to yours.

This programmer who I have even met in person, ripped me for $400 dollars which was half of the agreed upon amount. The problem: he probably didn’t know how to complete the project OR>>> $400 was all he needed from me.

I had a site in mind and he built the shell, I really liked the design, just as you did, then after I paid him half, he quit on me. He said he was going through a midlife crisis and couldn’t complete my site. (He was only 30 years old at the time).

Anyway, when I called him and he told me I ‘was harassing him (which I definitely was not) I realized that I had been taken for my $400. He had NO intention of completing the project. Either he could not or would not.

I had no website and he had my $400 dollars. I was so disgusted that I scrapped the website idea completely.

I have been ripped off by other people in other ways too!

My advice, use elance or odesk where the funds go into escrow. The person doesn’t get paid until you are happy with the results!

I don’t like people who rip me off. But perhaps there is a special place in Hell or some special punishment for such people? I’m sure they will get what they deserve in the end.

- Andy, I hope that never happens to you again,

Best,

Sincerely,

David Snape
http://www.ToothyGrinsStore.com
http://www.tobeinformed.com
913-269-6952
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease
ISBN: 978-0981485508

Just to give you a little background: About 7 years ago, I went to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to protest the human rights violations against the peaceful Falun Gong – who are being persecuted brutally by the Chinese Communist Party.

They said they weren’t arresting us – there were about 70 of us from various western countries. But, they held us against our will. Some were beaten. They told us that they would not allow us to talk to our embassies – which is a violation of International Law. So, it sure felt like being arrested. But on the other hand, what they did was illegal because their is nothing in the Chinese Constitution that says you can’t protest human rights violations.

But this is how the Chinese Communist Party Rolls.

So anyway, I have occasionally twittered out the address: http://ninecommentaries.com on twitter.

Well today, I get a phone call from a strange sounding Chinese guy who says he is from the State of Kansas, where I live. What was strange is that his number showed up as 000-000-0000 on my cell phone.

He sounded like he was from some government office and wanted to verify the address of my business. I did so.

I thought he was an official from Kansas, but then I saw the number.

I asked him who he was and he pretended that he couldn’t hear me, “sir”, “sir” he said – and then the phone went dead.

Well, I’m no stranger to this kind of thing. In fact, most Falun Gong practitioners that have been active against the persecution get calls like this.

First, my statement to the Chinese agents who will inevitably read this: Your time will not last. Your crimes are being recorded and when the time comes you will be tried in International Courts just like the Nazis were.

You think you are documenting us, but we are documenting you and your criminal activities. So, I guess your best bet is to quit the CCP and go back to a normal life and hope that you are not remembered when the time comes to start prosecuting the Communist party members one by one….

Now that I got that off my chest. My question to the others who read this is: What do you think I should do about today’s event and how do you feel about what happened? How do you feel about communist agents harassing people outside of their own borders or within their own borders for that matter: you can read about their crimes at http://faluninfo.net

Please leave your comments.

Dave

Sign Up for Updates on This Blog:

It is a very interesting thing when you talk about freedom in China.  You have leading liberal thinkers in China calling for an end to the many injustices and human rights violations that occur under the current communist regime.  One has only to visit ninecommentaries.com a read just a little bit of the commentaries to realize that there are real problems in China that must be dealt with. 

This is the most populous nation in the world and it is having these terrible injustices where innocent and even very productive members of society are being tortured and beaten for something as simple as saying ‘democracy is good’ or Falun Dafa is good ( a peaceful meditation group that strives to be and do good). 

When you have such a destructive system of government, what can you do to change it?  There has to be a way. What do you think?

Looks like Illinois Gov Blagojevich has been caught trying to use his unique power to appoint an Illinois Senator to make some extra cash.

They caught him on tape saying something about needing to make money.

I’m not so sure he knows what it means to be behind on a mortgage like regular people do.

I’m glad that he got caught. I don’t think that our elected officials should be allowed to get away with this kind of behavior. It’s evil. And our American society doesn’t need this kind of evil going on.

Do you agree or disagree?