Reflection

This is a continuation from my structured response; as it doesn't answer the actual questions asked I decided I'd post it as a reflection.

I just finished reading Mill's On Liberty for another class, and I think many of his ideas about liberty are relevant to these situations. Mill emphasizes the need for discussion and the need for debate between contending opinions. He believes that fostering discussion allows for the progress of society, to find the truer truths and ensure a successful democracy. The variety of ideas and opinions are necessary to have the most 'true' or effective ideas. Debate allows communication and for people to form understandings of one another and creates a community atmosphere. Such an atmosphere gives power to the people.  Mill explains how action on a community based level is not only effective but allows people to become a part of something greater for themselves, and less dependent on the government.

While Mill was righting at a time that the electrical telegraph was only just invented, his ideas can be related to how people connect through the internet today. Perhaps bigots aimlessly arguing about whatever bugs them about the news that day isn't entirely productive; however people posting about events in blogs and in Facebook is not only an improved method for spread of word through the expansion of freedom of the press, but allows people to peacefully talk about issues and perhaps more importantly, solutions. People can connect with more people, meaning a higher variety of ideas.

The internet itself is a tool for democracy. Sadly, not everyone has complete access to the online world as some governments restrict its usage. I don't think that will be a problem forever, as the UN has established access to the internet something like a right. Regardless of whether social media is actually used to plan a protest, allowing people to establish a network of diverse people and diverse ideas can only aid societies' progression towards democracy and liberty.