Everything Being Changed
At the beginning of every revolution the claim goes out that "this will change everything". In the middle somewhere, disillusion sets in and we hear "its all a crock". But further down the track we realise that the revolution has changed everything, just not how we thought it would.

It happened with TV which didn't change the way we taught our kids in school, although it transformed their education, not for the better. Motor vehicles surely did that, although their phases were Doubt, enthusiasm and disillusion in that order, (see the Piece on on London.

But the internet has done all that stuff in the blink of an eye and the news is that it is not about "Video conferenceing" or Video on Demand" or eCommerce, it is about shifting power. The ability to organsie globally has become the tool of the "Smart Mob", and even the Sydney Morning Herald is acknowledging the reality, and trying to document it.

Webdiarist Peter Funnel is quoted in Mahgo Kingston's Web Diary.

It has extended the range and sophistication of communications exponentially. People are not just getting information about the war on Iraq, they are developing communities of interest around the globe to explore their knowledge and feelings, form opinions, support each other, and provide courage and understanding. The www has absolutely rubbished Bush, Blair and Howard over Iraq. It has neutralised spin. It can't be controlled and people are finding ways to become very well informed. Every person can have a voice and as you say, "self select", and that is incredibly democratic and inclusive.</a>
The most important line is "It has neutralised spin". When you can't open your mouth without having have the planet climbing down your throat inspecting your tonsils, new strategies are in order. So far, no sign. Keep watching.