A New Era

Had this been a century ago, talking about the ability to communicate across geological boundries like continents and mountains instantaneously would often be met with disbelief, bemusement and the thought you are a fanatic kook that belongs to the nearest mental hospital. If we go back further into the past, say 4 centuries ago, a person claiming of being able to do such instantaneously communication might be accused of witch craft and burned on the stick. It is without a doubt possible right now. With the invention and technological advancement we have, we have the tools and utilities to read up news and communicate to each others without any boundries. However a new era is upon us right now. This is completely, in my point of view, unprecedented in history.

Those who have kept up with recent news would have heard the overthrowing of Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Yes, his party was the major political party in Egypt and he ruled Egypt with an iron fist. Having secret police around like how Hitler and Josef Stalin had and seemingly allowing other parties to run for election to give the illusion of a democratic society. It is to be noted however, that though Hosni Mubarak is now the evil tyrant that was overthrown, early in his reign he was a good leader. Now it is not new that there were people against Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's president. There were parties who stood against him in election (with an obvious "to no avail" result) and a major party or rather a group who has been outlawed in Egypt due to their "criminal activites" in trying to oust Hosni Mubarak from his high seat of power. Yet the people who succeded in doing so were not the fore-mentioned old and hardened political groups but they were the youth of the nations. It was the people who had access to the internet and able to communicate without any obvious suspicion unlike the older generations who had to meet up in houses or places to discuss their movements. Who would imagine, that an entire revolution would happen through communications over the internet? An entire revolution without a clear leader but just the will of the people I say! It is really mind blowing to me. This is an entire new era. Yes, communication without a boundry has now existed for several decades but for something as drastic as the overthrowing of a leader in a country is completely off the charts. Its like a bubbling happening in America and suddenly President Obama has been overthrown. Or in Singapore people suddenly starting a riot large and strong enough to suddenly force the ministers to resign. (Note: I am NOT in ANY WAY endorsing any of this in the 2 mentioned countries).

See, this is the importance we have to face. This new era allows the youth or pretty much anyone to cause an uprising at anytime and any place without the real need to make any real face to face communications. Can you imagine the possibilities that this can cause? Of course, with Egypt being overthrown, it is all possible in our minds now but could we have said that a decade ago? Back in the days, running less than 10 seconds in a 100 metres race was thought to be impossible. In fact, it was declared by scientist of those days to be an impossible feat as it would kill the athlete (specifically the lungs would blow up or something). Now, after 1 person (albiet a scientist who wanted to prove that it is possible) managed to do so, every athlete in the olympics has been able to do so. Is it because the previous generations were not able to? I strongly believe no, it is because the mentality has now been shifted to: it is now possible for a person to run 100 metres under 10 seconds. Similarly, revolutions through the internet will cause far more repercussions and consequences that we can expect. For example, I strongly believe the internet will now be far more monitored than before and selective censorships will definately be imposed in certain countries. Now, in less than 2 weeks over what has happened in Egypt, look what has already happened in the world! Tusnia's president has also been overthrown, protest are happening in Algeria, Bahrain and Yemen, Libya is now big focus in the news (due to the similar protesting and attempt to over throw the maddened leader: Muammar Gaddafi that has so far, resulted in over 200 deaths) and even far away from Egypt, the mystical movement in China: Jasmine revolution (which now looks to have failed).

It is to be acknowledged that this is a completely new era. We may not realise it till a decade later when we feel the real impact of it upon our society or we may not even understand how it impacts our society in the future as well. The chaos theory: the butterfly effect states that a small change may have a massive impact elsewhere. Look at the rippling effect this revolution (through the use of the internet) has caused so far! A science fiction book that I once read stated an interested comment that was in line to the chaos theory: A butterfly flapping it's wings in China can cause a tornado in in California. This is the beginning of a new era. Just like how the invention of machineries has vastly impacted the world, this is going to be something that will definately leave a mark in the pages of history.

A revolution, without any leaders. Without any clear meetings except through the forums and pages of the internet. To be able to trust one another without even seeing each other face to face. A protest or something more guided by just a single mentality that would not have worked if one had done the conventional "meeting in a place to discuss our strategies" method. This is exciting times we are living now. Thats all I can say