Thank to a lower work load today, I was able to read some interesting articles on-line, discussing the important role of the Internet. The first article was published by my friend Harry in the blog called the Network for Social Change. He discusses the transformation of NGO's from grassroots opposition movements to a new form of interconected citizens' networks, partly thanks to the power of the Internet. It is increasingly more interesting because he also describes the importance of such establishments as NGO's. The original article's in Greek, but I found that the Google translation works wonders!

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.