Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen have an interesting piece over at Foreign Affairs discussing the dynamic nature of information technology and its effects (both positive and negative) on global political affairs, as well implications for the future. A brief excerpt:
In the decade that followed, technology helped achieve another significant step in reducing the power of intermediaries and in short-circuiting regimes bent on silencing opposition voices. Activists and human rights campaigners in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe used photocopiers and fax machines to spread their own messages and foment unrest. The technology of today holds even more promise: comparing the uncertain dial tone of the fax machine with the speed of today’s handheld devices is like comparing a ship’s compass to the power of global positioning systems.
Read the full piece here.
Marvin Ammori 