Joseph's a-ha moment #6

Hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving this year, I again eat to much. It is not surprising that with so much people socializing online, people find a way to celebrate their favorite holidays online. I'm sure a lot of us said a greeting on Facebook or Twitter, used Skype to get into touch with relatives over seas, or maybe even sent someone an e-card. Cyber Monday has even become a thanksgiving tradition along with football, Black Friday, and left overs. Is there any other Holidays that the cyber world has become apart of that you can think of? I always enjoy the way many web sites have fun with April Fools day, like print material used to do.

Leaks

This weeks topic about the way President Obama's victory in 2008 introduced politics the internet age, shows how powerful the digital community can be. The Campaign was important because it was able to promote a wider participation of Americans, especially younger Americans. However, the internet also has a dangerous side for government. This New York Times Article discusses one of the more controversial sides of the internet, the leaking of sensitive materials.

Wikileaks is seen as a serious breach of security for the U.S. Government as it fights a war with terrorism and avoid conflict with Iran and North Korea. The founder of the website sees what he is doing as protecting freedom of Information and exposing misconduct. However, the White House believes that releasing such sensitive information will endanger not just American soldiers but lives of foreign civilians.

For years the government has been able to keep its secrets away from the public if it needed. Now, hackers and dissenters have a greater sense of anonymity from the law. Many of these people may see themselves as sort of outlaws, as if they will get some sort of fame from what they do. World Governments find themselves with an almost impossible task of protecting their secrets.