[lbo-talk] The role of social media in the Egyptian uprising

Michael Pollak mpollak at panix.com
Sat Feb 12 14:54:17 PST 2011


On Sat, 12 Feb 2011, Julio Huato wrote:


> That's the context that, IMO, Gladwell missed in his piece. Without
> saying, but basically, he erected a straw man to then slash it -- the
> nonsensical argument that the main reason why people rebel and/or win
> against oppression is *because of* social media. Who would argue that?

That isn't his argument, Julio. His argument is that electronic networks are composed of what Granovetter called "weak ties" -- great for getting a hold of new information that nobody near you knows, but not a basis for shared sacrifice. That for the latter you need strong ties, anchored in face to face shared life activities. And that's what you need for transformative social movements.

Right or wrong, it isn't a straw man argument and it isn't stupid.

Michael



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