Three days into the new year and I find myself contemplating 2010. I was optimistic for it, but its lackluster accomplishments left me felling disappointed. Perhaps my expectations were too high.
I thought 2010 would be the year the US Government finally embraced transparency. I expected more “frank” disclosures from our leadership. I thought WikiLeaks would fill us in on the past. Finally, I expected Hacktivism to become a viable (and successful) means of protest.
The US Government is not embracing transparency; it is going out of its way to censor the Internet, news services, and citizens. When it does not get the results it wants, it uses multi-national companies (banks, firms, etc…) to force compliance to its will.
WikiLeaks did fill us in on the past. Instead of being able to focus on the content of the leaks, we had to endure Assange’s legal battles – bedroom mishaps and all. The CableGate leaks are “drips” being released so slowly that only our ancestors will know their full contents – and by then – no one will care.
Hacktivism has become a label incorrectly applied to the online attacks attempted by juvenile delinquents throwing Internet temper tantrums.
At the beginning of 2012, I will look back at 2011 – and I will be disappointed. Prove me wrong. Do something spectacular or wonderful. Make a difference – a real difference in 2011.
