Could Paul Reviere Ever Ride Again???
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
April 5, 2011 10:58am CST
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/bill-gates-on-egypt-internet-news_n_816794.html
With the younger generation raised & teethed on computers, it has me thinking...
What would happen IF the government decided to turn off the internet??? In the words of Bill Gates "It's not that hard to shut the Internet down if you have military power where you can tell people that's what's going to happen," Gates said. "Whenever you do something extraordinary like that you're sort of showing people you're afraid of the truth getting out, so it's a very difficult tactic, but certainly it can be shut off." He did go on to say that people can still get info out with video phones, etc. like was done in Egypt. My question is...if Egypt hadn't had MAJOR press coverage, would their word have gotten out so quickly??? Do we have anybody willing to give of their time to travel across the world to spread the word of what's happening??? What are your thoughts???? 
1 response
@ajk111 (2495)
•
5 Apr 11
Yes, i believe word would still get out. The press will always be there no matter what happens to the internet. The BBC for example have corrospondents in every major country. you only have to watch BBC news and see the reporters posting their news bulletins via shonky sattalite links while in the middle of libya, brave men indeed! (and women!)
what is happening in the middle east, syria, egypt etc is a result of the people power and i do not believe the internet or media has much to do with it.
People will always travel and spread the word.
I hope i am not being nieve because i am fed up with the worlds trouble spots and hope the people can take control and make a difference.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
5 Apr 11
I, for one, think you are being naive!!! I once worked in our government here in the US & I've seen first hand how the press & the government work hand in hand. The press only releases what the government gives them!!! And you'd be surprised how many respected journalists will sell their soul for that one tidbit just so than can scoop the story. Plus, what makes you think that if things became serious enough that the government couldn't shut down the television broadcasts too??? They can easily pull the plug on the internet & it wouldn't be that hard to pull the plug on the satellite feed. Then pull the plug on cell towers. Then close the borders so no flights can enter or leave the country & all we have left is word of mouth. I've already seen how easy it is to turn a brain to mush. With our cash registers telling the clerks how much change to give back on a transaction, few can actually make change anymore. I was in line at a fast food place about 2 months ago when the electricity went out while they were taking my order. My bill came to $7.08. I gave the cashier $10.08 & she couldn't figure out that I was supposed to get $3.00 back. When I told her you owe me $3.00, she called the manager over to verify & the manager looked at me like I had grown a third head. So, I asked for my money back so we could start over. I then handed them a $10.00 bill & they made change...which they counted 3 times before giving it to me. I know for myself that since I've started using a calculator most of the time, I make more math errors than I used to. Of course, I have my age to fall back on!!! 
I forget which country a few years back had a countrywide power failure & they shut down the government & their stock market.
It has been my experience that power corrupts. So, having the people taking over control will only help for so long before things will revert back to governmental power!!!
I forget which country a few years back had a countrywide power failure & they shut down the government & their stock market.
It has been my experience that power corrupts. So, having the people taking over control will only help for so long before things will revert back to governmental power!!!