Cyrillic internet? Time for the Blogski (Terrible terrible Pun)

Russia, home of the most brilliant thinkers in social equality (before Stalin buggered it all up) has been looking into ways in which to develop a Cyrillic internet, which has got many media watchdogs and defenders of freedom of speech in a bit of a tizzy. Apparently, some people believe that the ‘nationalisation’ of the internet’s infrastructure may lead to government control over content. I’m sorry that should have read, if they do this they will be able to control content and are almost certain to do so. Already Australia and China’s Governments have control over the content of their net. Where will it all end? Will the internet shatter into a thousand small webs, each centred on a geographic or ideological area of influence, each with censorship of content specific to that ideology? How about an Islamic Web under Shari Law, or Christian under Christian Fundamentalism? It is a dangerous road, censorship has always been used as a means to control populations, even in the land of the free McCarthyism still has a terrible legacy for socialists, and the resurgence of Christian Fundamentalism means that declaring yourself an atheist can severely effect your social and financial standing in the community (see Richard Dawkins, ‘The God Delusion’ Amazon, buy it read it and evolve as a person.) the thing that I love the most about the internet (no, not the pornography, although that is nice.) is that I can log on, write a blog about whatever happens to be on my mind, and its there, and people can either read it or not, as the fancy takes them.

Image by Cherry Kisses 

If the internet fragments, and is subject to external censorship, then all that ends, and Blogs will begin ‘Good evening comrades of the Glorious Christian/Islamic/Cyrillic/ Whatever Internet, Here are the Government approved opinions. There will be no discussion.’ That, would frankly, suck. I love freedom of speech, and I love the internet, for all of its dark sides, they way it is. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.

By the way take the time to watch the interview with Dawkins, and read the book, it really is worth it.

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