Can new social media facilitate greater social stability in Iraq? Absolutely, some say. Here are some technologies that have the potential to change Iraq’s future:
5. Twitter: Mobile phone-carrying Iraqis can utilize Twitter applications on their current phones for a range of things, even without broadband Internet connections — which are still in short supply in Iraq. In a 2009 CNN American Morning interview, Jack Dorsey (co-founder of Twitter) gave an interview stating that he hopes Twitter can help make the new Iraqi government more accessible and help spread good news from Iraq out to the rest of the world.
4. WordPress: Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. WordPress, a blog-hosting site, seeks to teach Iraqis of all ages how to share their story with the world. This type of blogging, known as citizen journalism, can lead some Iraqis to also formulate an interest in professional journalism. Young Iraqis, in particular, may decide to work alongside foreign reporters as translators and journalism apprentices. This way, such tactics as how to pose questions, how to fact check, and how to report accurate information can be learned from the ground-up.
3. Meetup: Meetup is an online tool that can be used to organize offline meetings or gatherings. The company boasts over 7 million users, 2.2 monthly RSVPs for meetings, and 250,000 monthly meetups. If you are looking for a way to organize your existing supporters offline or are looking to find people who share similar interests to you, Meetup is a great resource. The CEO’s of Meetup hope this site can facilitate progressive social, political, and economic meetings between those in Iraq who would otherwise be unlikely to cross paths.
2. YouTube: Similar to how online video has transformed how soldiers and politicians visually share experiences, Iraqi civilians and newly trained troops have the capability to film digital images that can easily be edited and uploaded from laptop computers. These types of videos offer a raw, first-hand view of daily life. By allowing Iraqis to better utilize YouTube, it can allow the rest of the world to know what life in the region is actually like. By allowing Iraqis to share their experiences (while taking into account national security), it can make them feel connected to the rest of the world and like what they’re doing has a purpose. Often the most moving videos posted by users move ‘virally’, moving quickly and to a large number of viewers.
1. Howcast: Howcast empowers people with engaging, useful how-to information wherever, whenever they need to know how. Known for high-quality content, Howcast streams tens of millions of videos every month across its multi-platform distribution network. Approaching two million downloads across iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry phones, Howcast is the #1 mobile app for instructional content. This technology can be an incredible tool when it comes to instituting wide-spread, accessible public education for Iraqis of all ages, male or female, injured or well.
The U.S. Department of State is hoping that by bringing new media technology to Iraq that they will provide conceptual input as well as ideas on how new technologies can be used to build local capacity, foster greater transparency and accountability, build upon anti-corruption efforts, promote critical thinking in the classroom, scale-up civil society, and further empower local entities and individuals by providing the tools for network building.
