Democracy, aka ‘mob rule’, means different things depending on who and where you are. And the new tools of street democracy, Twitter, Facebook, smartphones, can turn out to be heroes or villains of civil society accordingly.
In the Middle East, Twitter has been a champion of democracy to most of us in the West. And governing elites from there to China have faced calumny for trying to limit social media access. Yet, as the recent riots in London and other British cities have shown, social media can contribute to a very different kind of mob rule – one resoundingly criticised by the same folk who praised the Twitter and Blackberry users of Tahrir Square.
Did the latest British riots escalate as a result of social media and smartphones? Probably yes. But is the right response to turn off Blackberry messaging? Absolutely not.
Already the forces and voices of the ‘establishment’ – national politicians, local authorities, police and community leaders – are using mainstream media (once again the good guys, phew) to reassert the value of order and authority. And no doubt, when the polemic has died down, some wider wisdom may emerge – about urban conditions, parenting, policing and community involvement etc.
There are lessons in this for established brands too. First, a world without ‘social media’ is not optional and, as a result, ‘mob rule 2.0’ will apply. Second, the short-term ‘wisdom of crowds’ is not always very wise – it may be short-sighted, self destructive and dangerous to all. Third, social media is a reflection of society so there IS learning, and perhaps long term wisdom, to be had.
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