The Global Village in Upheaval

With the arrival of Facebook and other social networks, I'm surprised that no one has cited Marshall McLuhan who clearly saw that emerging technologies was transforming the world into a Global Village. At the present our village is in turmoil.

Recent events in Tunisia and Egypt have caused me to revisit McLuhan's writings on media as well as Albert Camus' The Rebel which examines rebellion from both a historical and metaphysical viewpoint.

The world is changing, but then again, was there ever a time when it wasn't? Jordan, North Korea, South Korea, Haiti, Cuba - who will be next? One thing I do know: you can never suppress the human spirit yearning to be free. Southern Sudan is poised to become the world's newest nation as it declares its independence from Northern Sudan. Remember your Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a-Changin'.

If forces hostile to Israel gain a foothold in Cairo, there will be a major shift in the balance of power in the Middle East. There are some who feel that President Obama should stand by Mubarak if only for the sake of Israel, who has few friends in the region. However, if Obama supports Mubarak what message would he be sending to the Egyptians who have suffered under the weight of oppression and repression for three decades? Damned if you do - damned if you don't.

Hear the words of Fred Hampton, "You can kill a revolutionary - but you can't kill the revolution. You can arrest a freedom fighter - but you can't arrest freedom fighting."

A Luta Continua,

Jake

HPWW