Internet Censorship / Democracy & Globalization / Economic Imperialism

Its clear this is an important issue, and perhaps the most productive discussion would center on the relationship of the internet, democracy and globalization.  We are talking about the responsibility of the State to uphold democratic ideals, and us confronting the fact that there must be an organization and processes that mediate between the economic and technological ramifications of a capitalist globalization and the masses.  Clearly some states have no intention to uphold democratic ideals, while others mainly attempt the minimum.  But I think it would be possible, with a high level of transparency, participation, and citizenship/technology education to develop some sort of democratic global program to research and re-organize the internet.  I would argue that our internet also reflects a capitalistic technological framework, and that the combination of Technology and Art/Creativity in design will allow us to develop more organic and productive ways to organize and share information.

The booming business of Internet censorship

Technology companies based in the West are producing the tools to censor content in the Arab world. by Jillian York (source: Al Jazeera) [http://philosophyforchange.wordpress.com/] Throughout most of the Middle East and North Africa, online censorship is the norm. The level of censorship varies; in Morocco, only a handful of sites relating to the Western Sahara, Google Earth, and Livejournal are deemed offencive enough to ban, while other countries – like Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria – filter the internet pervasively, banning political sites as well as social content. Though the filtering itself is conducted by the governments of each country, it is made possible by technology imported mainly from the United States and Canada. A new report from the OpenNet Initiative, which I authored with my colleague Helmi Noman, outlines the various countries in the region utilising these tools: In Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sudan, and Kuwait, the censors prefer McAfee's SmartFilter technology. (continue + article by Samir Amin after jump)

a new policy for our shared environmental resources - whose authority?

Brazil court halts Amazon dam

Judge orders suspension of hydroelectric plant in the Amazon, citing environemental concerns.

The L's Coming - Speeches of Dr. King by The Black Organizing Network

 In an effort to make the entire body of Dr. Martin Luther King's teachings available to the young masses, The Black Organizing Network created this ridiculously meditative, educational "Liberating Dr. King: The L's Coming" mix. 

Liberating Dr. King: The L's Coming


It features slept-on MLK speeches over timeless hip-hop production in frequencies conducive for focus; from producers like J Dilla and 9th Wonder. Here's the tracklist:

01) Jay Dee "Much More" (De La Soul) 
02) Oddisee "Goodbye DC" 
03) Gil Scott-Heron "Whitey On The Moon" 
04) Karriem Riggins "Harmony" (Slum Village) 
05) Georgia Anne Muldrow "If So" 
06) Fertile Ground "Black Is" 
07) Georgia Anne Muldrow "Thrones" 
08) Khrysis "Watch Me" (Little Brother) 
09) The Coup "Underdogs" 
10) Sa-Ra Creative Partners "Love Czars" 
11) 2Pac "Words Of Wisdom" 
12) Organized Noize "Black Ice (Sky High)" (Goodie MOb) 
13) Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys "Machine Gun" 
14) Dudley Perkins "Run It Down" 
15) Jay Dee "Love It Here" (Elzhi) 
16) Erykah Badu "A.D. 2000" 
17) DJ Spinna "Holiday remix" (Roy Ayers) 
18) Georgia Anne Muldrow "Fantastic remix"

This is something you can listen to while working on another task and let your subconscious soak up the deep wisdom of King. Here's how they describe the purpose and process of putting the project together, followed by an essay that accompanied the mixtape for those who like to dig deep. But, really, I found that the mix stands on its own and doesn't need too much explanation.

/////
"The time has come to elevate the popular understanding of Dr. King. For too long, we have been drenched with the "I Have A Dream" speech. The philosophical depth of Dr. King's last years have been eschewed so that we don't realize that the exact same issues he was dealing with from 1966-1968 are the same ones we are experiencing now in an intensified form. This mix can be used as a teaching tool, a conversation starter, a road trip mix, etc. It is an effort to bring independent, unsanctioned media to grassroots communities for the deliberate purpose of political education and organizing."
/////

Peace in Afghanistan: touring exhibition

Windows and Mirrors NYC (The Children of Afghanistan)

Al Jazeera: In search of an African revolution

International media is following protests across the 'Arab world' but ignoring those in Africa.

Demonstrations are continuing across the Middle East, interrupted only by the call for prayer when protesters fall to their knees on cheap carpets and straw mats and the riot police take a tea break. Egypt, in particular, with its scenes of unrelenting protesters staying put in Tahrir Square, playing guitars, singfing, treating the injured and generally making Gandhi’s famous salt march of the 1940s look like an act of terror, captured the imagination of an international media and audience more familiar with the stereotype of Muslim youth blowing themselves and others up.

A non-violent revolution was turning the nation full circle, much to the admiration of the rest of the world.

"I think Egypt's cultural significance and massive population were very important factors in ensuring media coverage," says Ethan Zuckerman, the co-founder of Global Voices, an international community of online activists.

"International audiences know at least a few facts about Egypt, which makes it easier for them to connect to news there," he says, drawing a comparison with Bahrain, a country Zuckerman says few Americans would be able to locate on a map.

Zuckerman also believes that media organisations were in part motivated by a "sense of guilt" over their failure to effectively cover the Tunisian revolution and were, therefore, playing "catch up" in Egypt.

"Popular revolutions make for great TV," he adds. "The imagery from Tahrir square in particular was very powerful and led to a story that was easy for global media to cover closely."

Protestation Across the Nation: LIBYA

Al-Jazeera:
Libya protests spread and intensify

Diplomats resign and air force officers defect as Gaddafi government resorts to shooting and bombing to crush uprising.

Community Music

track list & music after jump