Of course technology is playing a role in the current situation in Egypt and Yemen. How? Check Twitter for instance. The constant traffic of stories and rumors on one of the most visited web sites holds as much clout as the demonstrations of the people. Westerners can be immediately transformed into Egypt and kept up to date on everything going on in the Arab nations. Facebook was the meeting point of would be demonstrators weeks before anything happened in Yemen.
Social networking sites are becoming central to everything that goes on in the world, puts pressure on leaders to act quickly and efficiently, and rallies the spirit of the demonstrators who have amassed tremendous support in just a short few days.
So keep Tweeting and posting on Facebook because an interconnected planet is a smarter planet, a more modern planet, and a safer planet.
Sean O’Connell
Broad Channel
