The Uprising in Egypt

     The Internet has become a key tool for people of all different backgrounds to group together for a unified cause. This is clearly explained in Hany Rashwan's article on http:www.thelantern.com/opinion/communication-key-to-egypt-s-uprising-1.1978063.  The internet is available for people around the world, removing all restrictions associated with social class or power.  Because of this, the uprising in Egypt was possible.

     The World Wide Web allows people to access and distribute uninterrupted, and unfiltered information.  Tools such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter allow people to group together and share ideas and opinions that are otherwise controlled by a ruler such as a pharaoh in Egypt.  This is a freedom the suppressed people of Egypt had never had before the World Wide Web was made available. What this ultimately does, is take away from the influential power an individual or group has over the masses, and places the importance on a cause itself. This great freedom was the catalyst needed by the people to group together and fight for a democratic cause.

     QUESTION: Do you enjoy the author's approach to the subject? If you appreciate it, what makes it clever?

     RESPONSE: I feel that Rashwan's essay is very effective in portraying an insight to the direction we are heading in this world.  In this day and age, the world is moving closer and closer to the utilization of communication through the internet. The freedom that the World Wide Web provides is a vast improvement from any form we have ever experienced as a world community. Before, any ruler with an inclination to abuse his or her power, has had the ability to influence the decision and voices of the people. Without the worry of persecution or fear of going against the government body, the people now have a vice to express opinions, and gather for causes.  The anonymity of the World Wide Web has and will open up many doors for change in today's global society.

     Rashwan's approach is clever in the sense that he has realized the World Wide Web will be the driving factor for the betterment of the world's issues.  It gives people hope that they would have never thought they would have.  The hope is derived from the freedom to be heard.

Truth about lies

Critical thinking can be bettered by examining lies because the more you are able to discect such a topic, the more you can avoid it.  Its good to be able to determine why people tell lies, and what situations provoke them to tell certain types of lies. Not all lies are the same.  In my opinion, there is a difference between telling a friend you'll meet them at the mall in 5 minutes, when you know its going to be atleast 10, and a major food corporation using harmful chemicals to produce their products, and telling the consumers it is completely harmless. This being said, I do believe that honesty is the best policy.  But lies are relative to each individual situation.