Egypt and the facebook revolution

Posted by on 11th February 2011 in culture with 8 comments

I wonder what Malcolm Gladwell is thinking tonight. Watching the crowds and the fireworks in Cairo celebrating the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s 30 year dictatorship,  is he regretting being so adamant about the ineffectiveness of social media for bringing social change. In his now famous article : “Small Change: Why the revolution will not be tweeted.” Gladwell argues that social media is a weak tie network and so incapable of bringing genuine social change. He compares the kind of relationships needed to hold together the Civil rights movement in America in the 1960s which were strong tie relationships with the kind of relationships one has on facebook:

The kind of activism associated with social media isn’t like this at all. The platforms of social media are built around weak ties. Twitter is a way of following (or being followed by) people you may never have met. Facebook is a tool for efficiently managing your acquaintances, for keeping up with the people you would not otherwise be able to stay in touch with. That’s why you can have a thousand “friends” on Facebook, as you never could in real life

But that is to misunderstand the role that social media has – the informative role it plays and the scale it operates on is hugely significant.  News can spread very quickly to a large number of people through facebook and twitter – this is especially important in places where the press is controlled by the government. In Egypt this seems to be a factor. Gladwell does acknowledge this role
The Internet lets us exploit the power of these kinds of distant connections with marvellous efficiency. It’s terrific at the diffusion of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, seamlessly matching up buyers and sellers, and the logistical functions of the dating world. But weak ties seldom lead to high-risk activism.
But I believe he underestimates the effect that the spread of information to such a large group has and how it can assist high risk activism . Through social media you can find out very quickly that the risks you are making are making a difference, it can motivate you to respond to intimidating airforce jet flypasts, camel charges and shots being fired at you. Social media allows for group organisation to take place – the sheer weight of numbers (see Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirkey) allows everyone to realise they are not alone in their dissatisfaction, that they can join with others who want to do something about it, that it is not too risky to tun up on the streets because of the number of people that are following / liking and promising to attend at events. I am a big fan of Gladwell’s books Blink and Tipping Point I found particularly helpful. It is interesting that Gladwell’s Tipping Point thinking wasn’t integrated with his social media observations as I think social media can catalyse the tipping point process – at least that seems to be what we are observing in the events in Cairo and Tunisia.
Surely we must pray for the safe transition of power to an elected government in Egypt, knowing that the world is watching is important for the Egyptian military to remember. But surely knowing that God is watching and will hold us all accountable one day should be a major factor too.
Watch out Colonel Gadaffi, the facebook generation are coming to a town square near you soon…
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Here’s some recommended reads – click on the images for more information. See also Social Media for Social Change where I argue “social media is a tool to seek the welfare of our cities by informing and strengthening a movement of grass roots committed communities” (My friend Richard has underlined this idea of social media as a tool / means rather than the ends of the revolution- when he comments that our attention should not be on the means of communication that supported the bravery of the Egyptian revolution.)

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krishkandiah

Father, Husband, Author, Speaker

There are 8 comments. Add yours

  1. 11th February 2011 | Darren says: Reply

    'Like' 'Share' 'Retweet' 'Make it so' 'Amen'


  2. 11th February 2011 | Nick Riley says: Reply

    Personally I think the book "tipping point" is the most appropriate book that Gladwell published which fits what we see unfold in the N. African region.


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tipping_Point


    The real challenge though will be in getting to "yes".


    ...and that remains to be seen.


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_to_YES


    Nick Riley


    • 11th February 2011 | krishkandiah says: Reply

      good point Nick - wonder why Gladwell didn't integrate his tipping point thinking into his social media critique ?


      • 11th February 2011 | Nick Riley says: Reply

        Krish

        Yes it is strange that Gladwell did not retrench back to his early work. I suspect there are many reasons why that might be, but I would not want to comment unless I gave him the opportunity to explain.


        Nick


        • 11th February 2011 | krishkandiah says: Reply

          would love to interact directly with Malcolm Gladwell - I love his books - we have studied a couple of them in our book group. Blink and Tipping Point have been influential in my thinking. Hope you are well mate - any sign of another U2 conference coming up?


  3. Pingback: Tweets that mention facebook revolution in egypt | krishk -- Topsy.com February 11, 2011

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by krish kandiah and Andy Frost, Dave Roberts. Dave Roberts said: RT @krishk: What are you thinking now Malcolm Gladwell ? http://t.co/e4kegOh #fb [...]

  4. Pingback: Recommended: Egypt and the facebook revolution | Media Messages Matter February 12, 2011

    [...] I do recommend Krish Kandiah’s insightful reflections on Egypt and the facebook revolution. [...]

  5. 12th February 2011 | Lars Dahle says: Reply

    Thanks, Krish, for insightful and encouraging reflections! I have just shared it on www.MediaMessagesMatter.net :)


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