In the morning of a gorgeous Colorado day, a small black cat decided to adopt us and showed up at the edge of the canyon by our mountain home. I named him Leo. In no time, Leo figured out that our dogs had to obey their masters, so no way on earth would they hurt him. Leo truly took advantage of that and the dogs just had to put up with it.
In just a week, between the anti #SOPA protest, the rebellion against Google’s Search Plus Your World “Don’t Be Evil” and Anonymous’ work, just to mention a few online protest activities, we have witnessed the spectacular power behind the new rules of engagement the net has established.
But, these new rules are so slippery still that it is hard to understand what would catch the attention of which online tribes to get them mobilized.
I was personally obsessed with following every bit of news about the #SOPA blackouts and was very pleased to see people of all backgrounds aware of the negative impact such bills would have on very relevant day-to-day activities. I participated in every way I could and I don’t even consider myself an activist of any sort.
I was confused when, while conducting a Google search for the latest info on #digitalstorytelling I found Google Plus entries mixed with the search results. I got mad at Google for making me digress from my research in order to learn what they are doing with their search.
But what impressed me about this (and I must admit, intimidates me a bit) is the power of these new rules and who sets their tone and calls to action and for what motive.
Would the tribes’ ability to set the rules of engagement direct regulations towards the good of the majority? If their interests are in anyway affected, would they mobilize for the benefit of the majority? But, what if we can’t see who the masters behind what tribe are and what motives they have?
So, today I raise my cup (of cappuccino) to encourage all of us to pay closer attention to these new rules of engagement and understand that there might be masters out there setting the rules that protect us (or not) against being hurt. Tricky stuff, but it is very important for us to be vigilant because we are putting so much of ourselves into the magnificence of the Internet!
#dontbeevil #googleplus
