Use of internet for global revolution

[nowarbutclasswar]

Do you think the internet can play a major role in revolution and how can it be utilized?

[RedSonRising]

I believe for every advantage there is for subversive groups to use the internet, there is a disadvantage as well. More frequent use of the internet means more surveillance, which the ruling class can do quite easily already, and more participation means more retaliation against individuals and active censorship. We'd have to pull something pretty big and fast if we wanted to ferment something significant that the authorities couldn't trace or counter-act through surveillance.

[Q]

Internet has its limits. For one it has a very centralised infrastructure. Your computer is not directly connected to "the internet", but to a local neighbourhood hub, which in turn is connected to a regional WAN network, which in turn might be connected to a backbone, if there is not intermediate layer still.

The reason why it is important to know this, becomes clear when you know that it is a standard feature of Chinese protests that the local network goes down "for an upgrade".

Besides that, the revolution won't be won on the internet, we need to seize the physical world (including its network infrastructures!).

[Sputnik_1]

The surveillance might make it impossible to organize something big indeed, but to be honest I don't think that's the main problem. The problem is the amount of information you get on internet, not everyone is interested in leftist forums, people rather watch kitties playing the piano and that kind of shit. Nonetheless, I believe it's a great and worldwide tool to spread awareness.