Wikileaks, student protests and 'hacktivism' .... ( or The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Or not?)

Are we seeing some kind of a shift in society? 

I believe we are witnessing a new era of ‘activism’ – student /societal/ corporate.

Students in the UK have taken to the streets in (sometimes) violent protests against the impending imposition of university tuition fees. 

Governments are acting in unison against the ‘threat’ posed by Wikileaks.   But ‘hacktivists’ are rising up in protest against them and the corporations (Amazon/MasterCard/Visa ) that are doing their bidding.

Consumers span of attention continue to fall as 30 second advertisements are cut down even shorter.  Our children engage in electronic media multi-tasking gaming / watching TV / surfing the web / texting / talking on the mobile and so on.  Their brains are being hardwired into a new mode of operation with boredom thresholds at an absolute minimum.

So.  Are we all becoming hedonists – needing a short term fix ?   Have we lost the ability to plan ahead and see the consequences of our actions.  Do these students not understand why it is that tuition fees are necessary ?  Or is their knee jerk response because they will be deprived of some earthly pleasures during their student years?   Are Governments reacting to Wikileaks because they have been made to look bad ?   They and their corporate lackeys have to respond to be seen to be strong and in control.    This activism is a ‘threat’ to the ‘status quo.’   Or is it ?

Even if it is – is that a bad thing?   Is the status quo right? 

My observation is that the big brother society continues its inexorable march in the erosion of personal and civil liberties.    The trend towards instant gratification – the ‘Stimulation economy’  (http://www.steverubel.com/the-stimulation-economy) is combining /morphing with the societal shifts in the rise of the voiceless  - the youth – who now have a voice – amplified through social networks.   The student protests were undoubtedly organized/ coordinated through mobile phones and social media ( ‘crowdsourcing and  flashmobs).  

These events represent underlying tectonic shifts which are starting to make the youth ( and sometimes the not so young) realize that powerful constituencies can be mobilized effectively.   The DDoS attacks on the ‘treacherous’ corporations that have attempted to deny Wikileaks the right to exist  - these ' Hacktivists' who operate out in the nether regions of the Web and bring impressive ‘forces’ to bear -  have shown that they be ignored at these corporations and Governments - peril. 

Is this backlash the beginning of a wider shift where ‘ the people’ have finally said ‘enough’ !! ?

What is unfolding before us is a fascinating study in the human condition and no doubt great fodder for many a PhD thesis.   I look forward to the next episode.    Will we see Assange on trial ?    Who knows ?  That is what makes it so interesting. 

Thanks.