#ArabSpring

[technicallyfurryfart-blog]

Hey @ElonMusk; how much is #Trump paying ya?  Can’t be enough!

#MAGA #AreYouGettingItYet? #ElonMusk Time to climb down into your #RabbitHole #GaltsGulch

[arabicfornerds]

20 questions for: Jan Hoogland (#31) I am a big fan of the Oxford Arabic Dictionary. Therefore, I am honored that one of the creators of this exceptional dictionary was available for the 9273-roots series: Jan Hoogland, a Dutch Arabic scholar and Moroccan Arabic expert. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/interviews/9273-roots/interview-jan-hoogland/?feed_id=4689

[julierysava]

🌟 Historical Trivia Thursday: Journey Through the Middle East 🌍📜

Welcome to a special edition of Trivia Thursday, where we're taking a historical voyage through the captivating and culturally rich Middle East. Get ready to unearth some remarkable facts and explore the tapestry of history woven across this diverse region.

Cradle of Civilization: The Middle East is often regarded as the cradle of civilization. Can you name the ancient civilizations thrived in this region, laying the foundation for human history?

The Great Pyramids: Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa with strong cultural ties to the Middle East, is home to the iconic Pyramids of Giza.9 How old are these ancient wonders?

The Silk Road: The Middle East was a critical crossroads on the historic Silk Road trade route. What valuable commodities were traded along this ancient network?

The Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, is believed to have been located in the Middle East. Who was responsible for its creation?

The Ottoman Empire: At its zenith, the Ottoman Empire spanned three continents and was a major player in world history. In which city was the empire's capital located?

Oil Reserves: The Middle East holds the world's largest proven oil reserves. Which country is the top oil producer in the region?

The Persian Empire: Ancient Persia, known today as Iran, was a mighty empire. Who was its most famous ruler, recognized for his massive expansion efforts?

The Holy City: For three major world religions, Jerusalem is a sacred city. Can you name these religions, and what sites make Jerusalem significant to them?

Law and Code: Hammurabi's Code is one of the earliest known legal systems. In which ancient Mesopotamian city was it created?

The Arab Spring: In the early 2010s, a series of uprisings and protests known as the Arab Spring swept across the Middle East. Which country's protests sparked this transformative movement?

Feel free to share your answers and delve deeper into the rich history of the Middle East in the comments below. Let's celebrate the region's historical legacy and continue our quest for knowledge! 🌍🕰️

[creativemedianews]

Arab spring ideals dashed as Tunisia votes amid tyranny

Arab spring ideals dashed as Tunisia votes amid tyranny #ArabSpring #Democracy #economy #election #KaisSaied

[rydervaughn]

Twitter’s Trump Ban: Navigating the Fine Line Between Free Speech and Moderation

#MDA20009 #Week5

Twitter's censure of Donald Trump while he was still a President a violation of "free speech" principles and democracy?

Twitter has become a major platform for political databases in recent years. its unique features make it well-suited for this purpose. The suspension of Donald Trump from Twitter in early 2021 ignited a fiery debate about free speech and social media moderation. Some argue that it was an essential move to curb incitement, while others view it as an infringement on free speech rights and a threat to democracy. In this blog, we'll explore the complexities of this issue, balancing the principles of free speech with the necessity of content moderation on social media platforms Twitter has been used to facilitate political debate on a wide range of issues, including elections, public policy, and social movements. Twitter has also been used by political candidates and campaigns to connect with voters and share their messages

Social Media as Public Platforms

Twitter is a platform well-known for its real-time, meaning users can share their thoughts on current issues and events. The reason why this platform is widely used for political parties is because of the short form (280 words) limit on tweets. According to (Vliet, Tomberg & Uitermark 2020), Twitter, like other social media platforms, has become a global stage where political leaders communicate directly with the public. Trump's prolific use of Twitter blurred the lines between his personal expression and official statements. This raises questions about whether social media should be considered a public utility and how this impacts the notion of free speech.

The Power of Private Platforms

On the other hand, Twitter is a private company with its own terms of service. Critics argue that it has the right to moderate content that violates those terms. However, the sheer influence and reach of these platforms grant them immense power over public discourse (Davies, Donald & Grsy 2022). This power becomes especially significant when political leaders are involved. Twitter has been used to facilitate political debate on a wide range of issues, including elections, public policy, and social movements. For example, the #ArabSpring hashtag played a key role in organizing and mobilizing protesters during the Arab Spring uprisings. Twitter has also been used by political candidates and campaigns to connect with voters and share their messages (Chen, Deb & Ferrara 2021).

incitement vs. Free Speech

Twitter cited concerns about Trump's posts inciting violence as the reason for his suspension. This brings forth the debate over where the line between free speech and incitement should be drawn. Exploring the legal precedents and ethical considerations is crucial in understanding the rationale behind Twitter's decision (Gorenc 2022).

The Slippery Slope Argument

The "Slippery slope" argument concerning Twitter's suspension of Donald Trump revolved around the fear that such a move could establish a precedent with far-reaching consequences for free speech and democracy (Chiaro 2020).

First, Precedent for Censorship, critics argue that when a high-profile figure like Donald Trump is banned from a social media platform, it establishes a precedent. They worry that this precedent may embolden platform operators to engage in more extensive censorship, potentially targeting individuals or groups whose views are considered controversial or unpopular by the platform's management (All Things Considered 2017).

Second, Chilling Effect on Speech, This potential for expanding censorship can have a "a chilling effect" on free speech. It means that people may become hesitant to express their opinions freely on those platforms, fearing they might be subject to similar bans or restrictions. In such a climate, diverse viewpoints might be suppressed, leading to a stifling of public discourse (Kakutani 2017).

Third, Threat to Democracy, The concept is that when diverse voices are suppressed, it undermines the core principles of democracy, which rely on open and robust debate. Democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas, and if social media platforms limit this exchange, it could lead to an erosion of democratic values and the emergence of a more homogenized, polarized information environment (Brownstein 2023).

Fourth, Arbitrary Moderation, critics argue that these decisions about who to ban or restrict are often perceived as arbitrary. Without clear and consistent guidelines for moderation, there's a risk that decisions could be influenced by the biases or preferences of platform executives, which would further erode trust in these platforms as neutral and fair spaces (Alizadeh et.al 2022).

Finally, Unintended Consequences, the slippery slope argument highlights that well-intentioned actions like banning Trump can have unintended consequences. It might drive users with extreme or controversial views to alternative platforms that are less regulated, potentially fostering more extreme echo chambers (Roberts 2020).

Alternate Platforms and Echo Chambers

The Trump ban also led to the emergence of alternative platforms that cater to specific ideological groups. This can exacerbate the problem of echo chambers and polarized discourses, as people flock to platforms that align with their views. Discussing the consequences of such fragmentation is essential.

In conclusion, Twitter's suspension of Donald Trump exemplifies the ongoing struggle between free speech principles and content moderation in the digital age. While it raises valid concerns about the power of private platforms and the slippery slope of censorship, it also highlights the need for transparent and consistent guidelines to navigate this complex landscape without compromising demographic values.

List of References

Alizadeh, M, Gilardi, F, Hoes, E, Kluser, KJ, Kubli, M & Marchal, N 2023, 'Content moderation as a political Issue: The Twitter discourse around Trump's ban', Journal of Quantitative Description: Digital Media, 23 September, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.fabriziogilardi.org/resources/papers/Content-Moderation-Political-Issue.pdf>.

All Things Considered 2017, 'Does Trump's slippery slope argument about confederate status have merit?', Politics, 16 August, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.npr.org/2017/08/16/543973293/does-trumps-slippery-slope-argument-about-confederate-statues-have-merit>.

Brownstein, R 2023, 'Trump's threat to democracy is now systemic', Ideas, 2 August, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/donald-trump-indictment-gop-jan-6/674895/>.

Chen, E, Deb, A & Ferrara, E 2021, ‘#Election2020: the first public Twitter dataset on the 2020 US Presidential election’ Journal of Computational Social Science, 2 April, viewed 3 October 2023, <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42001-021-00117-9>.

Chiaro, AC 2020, 'The logical fallacies of Donald Trump (With video)', Logical Fallacies, 14 October, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://philosophymt.com/a-trumpian-overture-of-logical-fallacies/>.

Davies, A, Donald, B & Gray, M 2023, 'The power of platforms - precarity and place', Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, vol. 16, no. 2, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://academic.oup.com/cjres/article/16/2/245/7176240>.

Gorenc, N 2022, 'Hate speech or free speech: an ethical dilemma?', International Review of Sociology, vol. 32, no. 3, vieewed 4 October 2023. <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03906701.2022.2133406>.

Kakutani, M 2017, 'Donald Trump's chilling language, and the fearsome power of words', Inauguration 2017, 21 January, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/donald-trumps-chilling-language-and-the-power-of-words>.

Roberts, T 2020, 'Trump's legacy may be unintended consequences', President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, 24 September, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/trumps-legacy-may-be-unintended-consequences>.

Vliet, L, Tomberg, P & Uitermark, J 2020, ‘The Twitter parliamentarian database: Analyzing Twitter politics across 26 countries’, Research Article, 16 September, viewed 3 October 2023, <https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237073>.

[cclopezbcn]

DISSIDENTEN - FATA MORGANA #1984 They were some of the first to introduce other cultures to the pop music in Europe. Alternative music before the Arab Spring #dissidenten #fatamorgana #ethnic #arab #arabspring #80s #vinyl #vinyladdict #vinylcollection #vinylcollector #vinylcommunity #vinyljunkie #coleccion #coleccionista #vinilo #vinyloftheday #record #arabworld #arabic #dissident #arabmusic #desert #camel #middleeast (at Barcelona, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG3BmBlD4NP/?igshid=8damo361m254

[uncannyfantastic]

If you liked @tristaneaton “Los Anger” painting featured on the cover of Heavy Metal 296, you’ll like these as well. All are part of Eaton’s “Uprise” series, which looks at moments of rebellion against entrenched power. Here’s “white Collar Supremacy,” “Peace vs. the Vietnam War,” “The Arab Spring,” “Spartacus” and “Black Panthers.” Visit heavymetal.com or Eaton’s site to see more. . #tristaneaton #uprise #blackpanthers #arabspring #spartacus #vietnamwar https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Y7wnvl2of/?igshid=eormogt42npa

[azspot]

In any popular movement, it is worthwhile to ask who is counted among “the people.” As Feldman notes in his opening chapter, a representative cross section of society took part in the initial uprisings across the Arab World. Consider the Tahrir Square protests in Egypt. Contrary to the widespread belief that it had something to do with Facebook, the practical organization at Tahrir was provided by labor unions, who had formed a temporary alliance with urban left-wing dissidents, unemployed university graduates, and poor slum dwellers. Later, these groups were joined by the Muslim Brotherhood. It was this coalition that created the iconic images in Cairo and precipitated the end of Hosni Mubarak’s thirty-year presidency.

But the Tahrir movement soon splintered and lost the initiative. The army, which had always held the real power behind Mubarak’s presidency and had forced his resignation, took direct custodianship of the government. Within two and a half years, all signs of democratic participation in Egyptian politics had been erased, replaced with a military junta headed by general Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

For Feldman, the blame for this calamity lies squarely with the Egyptian protesters. “If you believe the Egyptian people acted through the January 25 revolution to replace Mubarak, the dictator,” he writes, “then you should also believe that the Egyptian people acted through the June 30 revolution to replace Morsi, the democratically elected president.” This argument is based on a false equivalence. Feldman takes the fact there were large public demonstrations in Tahrir square both in 2011 and just before the military coup, in June 2013, as a mark of popular continuity. Yet while the January 2011 demonstrations were organized by the civil opposition, the 2013 Tamarod protests were organized by the state—the Interior Ministry, General Intelligence Service, and the Army—with the intention of legitimating a coup. Feldman appears to be unaware of this.

The two years between Mubarak’s resignation and the military coup that brought Sisi to power are often made out in the Western press as a period of delicate, semi-democratic balance, when authority was shared between the Muslim Brotherhood and the army. It was anything but. Days after Mubarak stepped down, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)—praised by Barack Obama for its “professionalism and patriotism”—set about trying many of the uprising’s participants in military courts and dissolved the elected parliament. The army did, for a time, allow the Muslim Brotherhood to play the part of a civilian facade; Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi was elected to the presidency in 2012. But in the middle of that election, the SCAF declared the powers of the presidency curtailed, allowing the army to take over decisive control while Morsi remained president in name. In due time it ousted him in a classic coup which involved Morsi’s arrest, imprisonment, and death in detention.

[oneatwob]

#1 Silence is resistance

I have never really been good with introductions, not in person or in text. I just find it odd that those few moments you first meet a person are considered to be so damn important. When you first meet me I may be a cheerful, joking indivisual but underneath it all there is a rage. In this day an age to an aware Arab is to be in near constant outrage at the state of the world around you. 

I am not one to usually make a case for the current bosses of Egypt but looking around us at this point in time what is the alternative? The strategic location of this country means that within seconds it could be within an inch of its life, exhausting its final breaths as American and Western troops hail on us with bombs from above. So to the people I say, side with your army, even when it is disadvantageous to do so, do not be short-sighted because the short term is easy to win, the long term much easier to lose. If we become another Syria or Iraq then the region truly is doomed. I love both of these countries but a quick glance at history will shows us that in the 60s there were 4 major Arab countries that were allied and against imperialist British and American interests; Libya, Egypt, Syria and Iraq. 3 of these countries are now embroiled in a civil war and Egypt through all its flaws has been able to adapt quick enough. The tides will shift in our favour again in time but till then make sure the Western boots never land in the land of the Pharaohs.

So just keep making your art, your songs, grow your underground culture. It has always been and always will be the heart of this country, the fresh soul of Cairo is its people and till our resistance becomes louder, hand in hand with the army, together not apart. 

Have a blessed morning. 

[rahfelmahdi]

Is Protesting Effective?

For the longest time, protests have brought voice to the voiceless to reflect the change they need in their countries from their governments. It was a platform for them to speak up and express the anger they suppressed for so long, but it has almost always had its negative consequences on none more than the protesters themselves.

For the longest time, I’ve been pro protesting all the way. It’s the most beautiful and terrifying statement that can be mad against corruption or any form of injustice you’ve expressed or seen. If anything it makes you feel human. I’m Egyptian, and I grew up witnessing everything that has happened in my country before, during and after the 25th of January revolution. Recently, many countries have been rising against their governments again, it feels almost like a global spring and not just Arab. Including Egypt. But with the results I can currently see in Egypt post revolution, it got me thinking, do protests really work? At all?

Protesting has definitely brought about some sort of change in some scenarios, but in some others they almost never did, and it anything, they’ve made things worse. And in some others if not most, it has been completely ignored.

Ok. Story time.

Taking Egypt as an example, the 25th of January revolution was the most beautiful and chaotic thing that has happened for Egyptians and in Egyptian history. 30 years, if not a lot more, of utter suppression of anger. Of daily witnessing some form of injustice or the other. Has suddenly exploded. Egyptians reached a state of mania. Nobody cared whether they’d die at Tahrir square or not. Some people walked straight towards policemen who were shooting them and kept walking. All to make a statement. Thousands were killed and millions were injured. After around 11 days, they were heard and the president stepped down. It was a state of hope that nobody has ever experienced, the air in Egypt felt different. 

But it all went downhill, and before we knew it, Egypt went into military coup. Thousands were put in jails for no reason at all. Thousands were put in jail because they were expressing the voice they fought so hard for during the 25th of January revolution to keep. Thousands were killed for protesting towards all of that. Thousands were killed.

Corruption slowly seeped back in, almost like it never left. Its 10 years later, and Egypt’s economy is worse than it’s ever been. Our current president put thousands in jails, stole millions, and even made agreements with other countries to claim parts of the Egyptian land as theirs.

He changed the rules to be in his favor, changing the presidential period terms to make him potentially stay till 2034 (G Jonathan 2019). A little while before the elections day back in 2018, all other candidates stepped down, overnight at the same time. And there was no other option but him.

I can go on and on about this forever, but the point I’m trying to make is that if anything, things are getting worse. Corruption is too deeply rooted in some nations that simply protesting would not work.

If anything I’m having a very hard time deciding myself, whether protesting is ever a good idea anymore. And that is solely because protesting in most corrupt nations is never peaceful or harmonious. You can never guarantee that you are going to protest and come back alive. And looking at the results, of not only Egypt but of almost all countries that set revolutions like Syria and Yemen and Algeria and many more, I think. It’s still beautiful, but at what cost?

Thousands have died for almost, and it breaks my heart to say this, nothing. Is it really worth it to protest in the first place, at all?

I’ve had this conversation with at least 20 people, and I can’t get myself to have a stand about this. Because on one hand, having a voice and expressing it against evil is what makes us feel alive and human but on the flip side of it, at what cost does that come? And is there ever any actual impact change after that?

 References - 

G Jonathan 2019, Egypt’s New President for Life, Medium, https://prospect.org/world/egypt-s-new-president-life/

[arabicfornerds]

A CLASSIC: 20 questions for: Hossam Abouzahr (#3) Episode #3 of "9273 roots": 20 questions for Hossam Abouzahr who created the best and most up-to-date online dictionary for Arabic dialects: Lughatuna https://yalla.li/3rg6w

[suzylwade]

Hope To Nope The ‘Design Museum’ in London exhibition ‘Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008-18’ is on now and more relevant than ever. The exhibition will examine the political graphic design of the past decade through artefacts ranging from traditional posters and banners to the rise of digital media and social networks that have extended the reach and changed the nature of protest. Political events such as the 2008 financial crash; the Obama presidency; the Arab Spring; the Occupy movement; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; the Charlie Hebdo attacks; Brexit and Trump will be featured in the show curated by the ‘Design Museum' and ‘Graphic Design&’. The show is divided into three sections: ‘Power’, ‘Protest’ and ‘Personality’ that are unified by a large graphic timeline that will dissect the gallery charting the role of new communication technologies such as social media in global events over the past decade. ‘Power’ will explore how graphic design is used by the establishment to assert national and political authority, and how that iconography can be subverted by activists and opponents. ‘Protest’, the largest part of the exhibition, displays graphic design by activists and demonstrators as well as the role played by graphic design in the channelling of anger and crediting solidarity. Finally, ‘Personality’ examines the graphic representation of leading political figures and the organisations such as ‘Anonymous’ which protects individual identities. ‘Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008-2018’ runs at the Design Museum from March 28 - August 12, 2018 #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #hopetonope #designmuseum #graphics #politics #antitrump #movement #powertothepeople #london #edelrodriguez #obama #arabspring #occupy #deepwaterhorizon #charliehebdo #brexit (at Design Museum)

[worldinsideout-blog]

Today marks our 10 year anniversary! On March 2, 2011, @jr launched the Inside Out Project, during his first TED Talk. Over the past decade, more than 400,000 people across 138 countries have participated in the Inside Out Project. The Project has reached all 5 continents, with over 2,000 Group Actions created. These Group Actions have addressed a wide range of topics such as: diversity, community, feminism, racism, climate change, education, children’s rights, and art to name just a few!.  The Inside Out Project was meant to last only a year, but 10 years later, we are still here! We are still encouraging people around the globe to raise awareness about something they believe in, using the power of paper and glue. Now it’s your turn to gather your community in a safe manner, capture their portraits, and keep turning the world Inside Out! Featured here (from left to right) are actions that took place in: 2011, Israel and Palestine; 2012, New Zealand; 2013, USA; 2014, France; 2015, Cameroon; 2016, Italy; 2017, India; 2018, Spain; 2019, Colombia and 2020, Switzerland.   #insideoutproject #jr #iop10 #arabspring  #indigenous #creativity #hurricanesandy #pantheon #youngleaders #diversity #picaso #art #awareness #visibility #intergenerational #respect  #education https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7MOgdD75V/?igshid=1g64er3d4weby

[expatimes]

Yemen: Remembering the Arab Spring Yemen: Remembering the Arab Spring Read full article: https://expatimes.com/?p=17704&feed_id=32125