Just Tweeting Away

Nothing makes the way we live stand out more than when other differing cultures adapt and utilize the same products, media and technology that we use on a daily basis. It has been hard to ignore what has been happening in Iran in the past week. As a people and country that has had its full share of turmoil and transformations, the people of Iran finally have a chance to taste a morsel that has fallen off the table of freedom and democracy. I can’t imagine seeing lines outside polling places of people waiting to vote in the first place. It would be an entirely surreal experience to see a political contest conclude in such turmoil over its own legitimacy. This makes the controversy of the election of 2000 seem like a minor sandbox squabble. We are indeed spoiled, yet immensely blessed to witness the peaceable transfer of major nation-wide power every four to eight years. How would we in the US respond if we felt the entire election was an entire sham? Would we be willing to band together in the face of an oppressive regime? Or even stand in the freezing cold as thousands did during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine?

It is amazing how the people of Iran are using text messaging and Twitter. This rapid form of communication has mobilized such a coordinated effort of those opposing the rigged election. Not only do these Tweets spread the word of what rallies and demonstrations are happening around the country, but also what events are staged by the government to trap dissenters. In contrast, most users in the western world find that they must let everyone know every single detail of their daily existence from what exactly they are consuming at 2:28 AM to what they found picking their noses. This isn’t to say that these things aren’t interesting or of any importance, but rather that these are things that don’t have to be shared all the time with a wide public audience. There is a distinct narcissism that comes with one thinking that they are of such great magnitude that every soul must know all these things about them. This level of instant communication is not something that should be immediately demonized. On the contrary, when used it the right way, these things are extremely useful. It comes down to the motivation behind what we post. Is it really to elevate one’s self? Hopefully we take a good look at how the people in Iran are using the same technology as we do. The only difference is the grave seriousness of what they are communicating.