Online Identity. Somewhere you can actually be who you want

This paper allows an in depth evaluation of online identity to transform into a broader self examination of identity values.  Calling into question the importance of such social factors as, race, sexuality, and class gives a sort of three-point frame work in which to examine online identity.  The author does this well, laying out arguments of identity that had (often) yet to be approached in the realm of cyberspace.  I would contend that while the author succeeds in this regard, he doesn't grapple enough with what I find to be the key to the whole debate, only noting it briefly at the end:  The identity (more importantly, the possibility of a non-identity) assumed by a person in cyberspace is entirely under their control and they must know the repercussions for what they portray.  There are more places online to express one's self than anywhere in history, granted there are more happy-go-lucky antagonists than ever before as well... Creating a faceless/raceless/sexless persona is totally possible if one finds that real life challenges created by these issues need a therapeutic, virtual release, and I think to some extent nearly everyone finds this outlet when they need it.

The revolution is in the streets, and it smells of blood.

Today's reading provides an excellent critique on the implementation of social media in popular uprisings, albeit, undervaluing this technology from the outset of the article.  Having studied these events in depth, as they happened, in my many Political Science courses, it occurs to me that while social media may not have been the most effective tool in the rebel arsenal for the duration of the Arab Spring, it was undoubtedly the prime mover.  When it was discovered that a young Tunisian man lit himself on fire in the name of dissent, it made shock waves felt a world away.  Well connected activists could not only communicate amongst themselves, but with social media as their proxy, could also generate international support, concern, and engagement for their cause.

Nothing will ever replace the demonstration on the streets - true, revolutions cannot be run online - true, but one more means of communication can hardly be a bad thing in highly controlled and censored countries.  While the author suggests that there are far too many inhibiting factors in an autocratic state that render internet communications nearly useless, he must have never heard of proxy servers, or TOR, or SATCOMs... There is always a way around control, it is just a matter of finding what loophole is easily exploitable, and the technologically savvy win that battle every time.

The Image of the Hacker

Metac0m's piece: "What Is Hacktivism" hinges on a fundamental question normally reserved for politics.  What is the difference between a hacker and a terrorist?  Simply put, he believes the difference is that hackers mustn't do anything to inhibit the free flow of information, as that is the beauty of the computer age.  In this way, hackers are the guardians of the web, those who subvert authority in order to help, not harm others. Himanem evaluates the hacker's work ethic, arriving at the conclusion that they approach their craft like an artisan, passionately creating worlds of code for no reason other than their love for it.  Uniting these two images, it seems the hacker is the vanguard of the digital age, but the outside world is not so kind, for not all hackers are seen in favorable light.  Being the target of hacking, many large institutions fight for internet reform today under the guise of security, but hackers know, sometimes you have to a little bit of wrong to gain a little bit of good.