I like Antoun and I’m usually a fan of what he writes for Global Voices Online, an influential website that tells the news from the perspective of international bloggers and, most recently, social media members (Full disclosure: I was Lebanon’s Editor in GVO when it first started)
But his latest post about the reaction of the Lebanese online to the “Hariri’s Rally” unfortunately missed the mark. In spite of having quoted me and having quoted a blogger who listed 13 reasons why he’ll attend the rally, this was the conclusion he came up with:
Despite attracting thousands of supporters to the rally, Hariri failed to make an impact online as the Lebanese blogosphere largely snubbed his demonstration. [...] Although Hariri may own a large number of Lebanese mainstream media outlets, he appears to have little sway over a major independent voice in the country: social media.
There is one big omission that would have completely changed Antoun’s conclusions: Bloggers didn’t stop writing about politics in Lebanon because they are no longer influenced by politicians. Bloggers stopped writing about politics because they are becoming Twitter friends, and they are realizing that their sharp divisions are making it awkward to write their real point of view in polite social media company.
In the old days, bloggers didn’t care about what they wrote because they were almost anonymous. They felt free to write their real, controversial points of view. But now, there’s timidity in the air and tremendous peer pressure to say what is SocialMedially acceptable (I just invented that phrase). Perhaps GVO should start looking more at Facebook. Over there, people say what they really think.. They are social media members too, aren’t they?
Twitter
Facebook
RSS
Your post made me think about what I usually advise clients on regarding their social media strategy and that is being part of the community through thick and through thin, not only when the conversation is about you, for the same reasons you mentioned above actually.
Indeed. It’s funny how stigma can work in a completely virtual environment, but this is testimony to the fact that people want to keep the “reputation” of their online persona intact..
I agree. Politics is largely off-limits unless you are a political commentator/blogger. There are a few political angles, women’s rights, or palestinian rights that seem to be acceptable to talk about, that is as long as you agree with what’s being said
It’s just easier to avoid politics and just stick to talking about ads or restaurants or what the traffic is like today. Btw, can you link to the blogger who listed 13 reasons to attend?
Just did.. Thanks for your comment..
I agree that we are much more away from politics, but not about the reason. Personally, I stopped writing politics because I supported X during a period, then Y during another period, and then none. Reached a point where I felt watching/discussing politics did not help in anything and that’s that. This is when I decided to change my blog’s name. For me I care no more about these things, because it only seems they keep repeating the same mistakes, and nothing is changing in this country when it comes to trying to change things using politics. For me, change will come in a different matter, and it’s by education, and that is something I prefer to find methods to implement and encourage others to join.
Well personally I decided not to write about politics even if I have my own believes because I don’t want to jeopardize my relation with anyone. If we put politics aside, there’s a lot of potential common work or fruitful relations especially because relations are very influenced by the political opinions. On facebook it is different because there’s a minimum of friendship background before being friends on facebook but on twitter it’s different, we are affraid to lose friends because our political opinions…I say that this is good because it decreases the political stress between us so we let politicians talk whatever they want and have the opinion that we want. Let’s say it frankly, political blogging is like copy pasting what the politicians say…so I don’t see any need for it
Don’t be sensitive over the use of “snub”.
Let’s say instead: Bloggers chose not to cover the rally.
The fact is, what got the most coverage from the rally on Lebanese blogs was the stripping scene, and the huge picture of the Saudi king (both with very little commentary).
Go back a few weeks and look at the secular marches. Those got a heck load of coverage, even though part of the message was political and accused the ruling political class of being rotten.
Here’s what I think happened: Bloggers aren’t writing their thoughts on the march 14 rallies (and other M8 or M14 activity) because, just like the majority of the population, they’re sick of old fashioned Lebanese politics. Give them something fresh, and they will (as they did) write about it. Case in point: the “From Beirut with Funk” blog.
Totally agree. I went to the ralley but did not write about it because I do not believe it is very helpful to the situation these days to profile yourself politically.
Sietske, I think I saw you! I almost went over to ask if you were the wonderful blogger Sietske, but I wasn’t 100% sure I had the right person (or 100% sure how to pronounce your name
). What a shame!
They felt free to write their real, controversial points of view. But now, there’s timidity in the air and tremendous peer pressure to say what is SocialMedially acceptable (I just invented that phrase).
Yes, I’ve noticed that too. I’m not a big twitter fan but I was following some of the feeds for some of these uprisings. Seems to me that people feel compelled to adopt the most popular/socially acceptable position. And not only that, once they adopt that position they engage in a kind of competition to see who can repeat the talking points the most often and the most places. It’s more like an experiment in the dynamics of real time group-think than it is “social media”.
For my geeration (40+) there is no escaping politics. Having not only survived the 15 years of pure hell those same idiots we have today put us through (and are keeping at it); we were born bread and fed politics. The rally did not get the expected coverage in the bloggosphere, wa marrra mourour al kiram”, mainly because the people are fed up with empty promises, and deemed it not worthy of wasting time comenting upon. Taking off a jacket and tie, whilst in the background a huge picture of the Saudi King does not appeal to people who shed their blood in the mid seventies to the nineties trying to preserve a free and democratic Lebanon. The “big party” ended, and everyone present went by his own way. We were put to shame in comparaison to Egypt, Bahrain…etc for if we really wanted the surrender of hizbullah’s weapons and the STL, we should have stayed in the square untill such day (take lessons from the 8th of March thugs). But the Cedar revolution II, as they called it is too “classy” to actually achieve its proclaimed goals and make a difference.
I admit to having failed my duty as a citizen and a patriot; but my fellow countrymen have drained me of the last drop of hope I had left with their nonchalant attitude. Both sides are waiting for outside powers to clean their mess and present them wiht their dream country on a silver platter.
Wlek Tfeh!
Join the march this Sunday … Your participation may invoke for you to walk among Lebanon’s future leaders.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193126420728366