We live in exciting and historical times.  The way we communicate with each other, the way we conduct business, almost every aspect of our life has been impacted by the digital revolution.  We’re a part of history because the digital revolution is having a dramatic impact on our lives.  Look at the impact your mobile phone has on your life.  A recent survey I came across indicated that over 90% mobile users keep their device within arm’s length 24 hours a day.  All of us, to a degree, have become reliant on technology.  For some in the world technology and social media has dramatically changed their lives.  Look at the Arab Spring, and the impact social media had on the Egyptian populace to create political change.  You can debate if they’re better off today than they were yesterday, devil you know versus the one you don’t.  The point is political change happened in Egypt because of the free flow of information.  That’s powerful and it gives us reason to marvel at the profound effect that social media has on individuals, and nations as a whole.  However, not much is written about the darker side of the digital revolution.  

Nationhood building is bold, it’s exciting and the drama unfolds in real time.  But the same tools that can galvanize a nation of people can also be used against them.  Everything we do today almost invariably leaves a digital fingerprint.  Every aspect of our lives, likes, dislikes, habits etc. is being captured.  Just think what an autocratic régime can do if they had the resources to invest in technology to monitor every aspect of their citizens lives?  If you’re concerned about your civil liberties being infringed upon today, just imagine what it is going to be like in countries where the rule of law is nothing but a talking point or just another way to extort money from the West.  Autocratic countries which have the means and resources to invest in technology will take stalking to a new level.  It’s happening now and stopping this is next to impossible.

Another dark side of the digital revolution is the harm it can bring by destroying reputations or sullying someone’s good name.  Facts are damned because anonymity acts as a factual cloak.  A recent victim, former Toronto Maple Leaf general managers Brian Burke, has decided to fight back.  Burke has filed a lawsuit with the BC Supreme Court saying he was defamed.  Simply put, Burke was targeted by 18 anonymous individuals on- line, stating that he was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs for having an affair, and impregnating a local Toronto sportscaster.  For those of us who have followed Burke’s career, we’re not surprised that he would fight back.  I commend Burke for what he’s doing.  Too many times individuals and organizations do not fight back for fear of fueling the fire.  Also factoring in the decision not to defend one’s self is the cost to do so.  Burke has the will, the time and the resources.  According to Burke’s lawyer, Peter Gall, “a lot of people think they can with impunity say whatever outrageous things on the Internet and nobody’s ever going to be able to find them or hold them accountable.  Brian is going to hold them accountable.”  The first thing Burke’s lawyers are doing is seeking court orders against websites that published the comments.  These companies will have to disclose who these individuals are.  The fact that fictitious names are used to post anonymous comments does not mean that it cannot be traced back to the author.  Compelling websites to provide the real names of individual is one thing, but I would take it a step further.  I would hold these websites equally responsible.  The notion that these websites cannot control what people say is rubbish.  If a website provides gasoline, newspapers, matches, knowing there will be am inferno that makes the website a party to the arson.  If the websites engages in aiding and abetting they should be held accountable.

On the lighter side of the digital dark side, I came across a story that made me laugh out loud.  A doctor in the U.K. has opened up a Digital Detox Centre.   For a mere $30,000 you can send your child away for 28 days for digital detox therapy.  The doctor claims that after 28 days your child will be back to normal and no longer addicted to all things technology.  If you don’t find this bizarre, and you think this therapy might be good for your child, I have a proposition for you.  For $1,000, including travel expenses, I will come to your home and give you my version of digital detox therapy.  I will ask you to round up all of you child’s technology; a secondary search will be required because the little darling is hiding something, somewhere.  When I’m satisfied that I’m in position of all the technology, I will excuse myself and go to your bathroom, and I will fill up your bathtub with water.  Within seconds none of the child’s technology will ever work again.  I’m up a grand, and you can blame it all on the meanie man.

Until next time,

Cheers.