Keen On... Kurt Andersen, Part 2

By streamliner Apr 12, 2012

Andersen wrote TIME's "Person of the Year" article on the Protestor: http://ti.me/rPmv10
- He didn't make the selection, but the choice was "exactly right."
Protests differed: Tunisia/Egypt -- "get rid of the dictator" -- versus Athens/Madrid/USA.
- But similarities: middle class, educated, relatively apolitical protestors
- And protests did spur one another -- "it wasn't an accident," but a contagion.
Social media actually did play a big role.
- Not only for coordination, but to spread news of crackdowns/violence.
What will the role of technology be in building new democracy?
- Skeptical/nervous of technology having a big role in active governing.
- Technology may be "too instant." Has been a big factor in the U.S.'s increasing "partisan disfunction and ideology."
Will 2011 be a symbolic year for the digital revolution?
- "We'll see." Compares to 1848 (industrial revolution) -- but those failed.
- 2011 will be studied, whether or not it results in global democracy.
Did Steve Jobs deserve to be named Person of the Year?
- He died in 2011 but: did he have the greatest impact in 2011?

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