ABSTRACT
A digitally enabled time-line created by John Bieler that graphically maps every protest on the planet since 1979 illustrates greater and greater amounts of dissent in the twenty-first century. Social conditions under neo-liberal globalization account for this more than digital media, but it seems clear that online activism has helped accelerate it, contrary to charges of slacktivism. But other charges seem merely to reflect anti-technological bias or resistance to new forms. Digital social movement activity includes both new ways to accomplish older forms of organizing, and truly new forms only possible in the Internet era. Even the most traditional of political activist work has been enhanced greatly by the low-cost, high-speed and extensive geographic reach of the Internet. The issue of cyberterrorism ties into the larger question of cybercensorship. Labor movements ended child labour, brought worker safety rules, set reasonable wages and hours, and ushered in a host of social benefits enjoyed by all.
