Friday, October 5, 2012
Internet in Iran
I think there is no way for Iran to stop youth from finding ways to get on the Internet as long as it is still up and as was said in the Newshour special, Iran would never shut down the Internet completely. There are just too many different routes and avenues used to explore the Internet for the Iran government to block it. I think a huge role the Internet plays is to allow the youth in Iran to see a world outside of Iran. They don't want to be confined to the oppressive regime they live in. The Internet has given them a greater view of how others live and I think that has strenghtened their will to be freed. Also, I think it gives others on the Internet a chance to see a different side of Iran. The Newshour special said some youth recieve help from people in other countries to get access to the Internet. The Internet has given Iranians a chance to express their situation and therefore they have recieved more worldwide sympathy. It's easy to see why the oppressive government would want to stop this technelogical influence, yet there is no way they can stop it. I think the more the government tries to crack down, the harder the Iranians will fight to keep this precious world of freedom. It's really humbling to compare their Internet use to ours. People in both Iran and the US would be upset if bans were put on the Internet, but the reasons would be completely differnt. For Iranian youth, this is their one connection to the outside world. They used it to put protests together and get the word out about rallys and happening. People in the US would be upset that they can't update their Facebook relationship status. Comparing our lives makes me really grateful for what I have but also guilty. Iranian youth are so involved in their government and use the Internet to enhance that. I am not very involved in politics and take for granted all the freedoms I have. It really makes you reconsider your priorites.
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I totally agree with how internet usage has changed your perspectives on our freedoms here in the U.S. While Iranians are actively involved in their government, the youth in the United States is more caught up in their social lives. I think this is a really valid point. I also think that part of the problem is that in the United States a lot of the youth is ignorant towards the way the internet can be used. Although much of American youth can grasp the concept of the multiple purposes the internet holds, we are ignorant when it comes to some of the more serious topics, having never been in the situation where the internet was our only avenue for our voices to be heard. It really does make you think about your priorities, as you said, and is kind of sad. It makes me feel like the youth here needs to be taught the importance of not only keeping up with current events, but the value of being active in the U.S. to show our appreciation for the life we've been blessed to live. I include myself in this as well, because sometimes life gets the better of you and you don't realize how much worse it could be.
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