Three cheers for participatory democracy! The percentage of stated opposition to SOPA and PIPA in Congress changed dramatically over the past two days, from 28% to 61%. [If you count people who are “leaning No”, by ProPublica’s estimate, this goes up to 69%.]
How many politicians announced they would be co-sponsoring or otherwise outright supporting SOPA/PIPA on Wednesday? By our count: Zero.
Update: Harry Reid releases Dems in the Senate to vote against PIPA if their conscience demands. And Chris Dodd, former Senator and current MPAA Chairman, just called for a summit between Internet and traditional ‘content’ companies, convened by the White House, to reach a compromise. (He hasn’t yet realized that major content companies today are Internet companies.)
We are experiencing the growth of social unity and a certain moral sense across the Web, among people who have found something wonderful, worth defending with all their heart. This is a small piece; it is thrilling to be part of it. I hope you feel it too.
Nice E. Morgan Forster reference. 🙂
Comment by Nemo 01.20.12 @ 4:16 amThe web is definitely creating a growth of social unity. Social democracy is important for all politicians to pay attention to. I am proud of how well social networks were used to spread the word on the SOPA – PIPA issues and how powerful the message was.
Comment by Mike Yasieniuk 01.20.12 @ 10:07 amYou write so interestingly and well. –your old Ma
Comment by nora 01.20.12 @ 11:28 am