The other interesting article I had been reading today is written by Manos Antonaros in the free speech section of the Greek on-line newspaper ("news portal" is an understatement) Zougla and discusses how blogs have reversed the power relation between journalists and spectators. To cut a long story short (and help you out, because the translation is screwed up due to the extensive use of slang) he pretty much says that instead of having passive spectators, by definition manipulated by the "authoritative" journalists, the spectators became journalists of their own world and any attempts to manipulate them are met with a fierce reaction.

Both of these articles made me think about what is the real power of this medium we call the Internet. Unlike all previous technologies and establishments invented to allow people to connect, the Internet doubles as both a medium of content delivery and a catalyst to social collaboration. The ability to deliver a message instantly and globally is its biggest asset and worst trait at the same time. I say it's a trait as well, because sometimes it proves how lonely we can be in a huge, global crowd. What's the point of talking, if nobody's listening? Well, sometimes even that is better than shutting up and - who knows - somebody might listen to you some time. And another, then another... That's the beauty of it. That's the power of it.