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| 'Jet bomber' family tell of shock The Nigerian family of the man accused of attempting to blow up a plane says his actions are "completely out of character". news.bbc.co.uk |
In the next decade, I hope for a spirit of 'sharism' | Isaac Mao Through sharing, and the use of technology, those who believe in a top-down approach will eventually lose their powerFeng Zhenghu, a Chinese scholar and human rights activist, has been stuck at Narita Airport in Tokyo since 4 November, unable to shower and dependent on airport staff and travellers for food. Amazingly, he seems to be becoming more optimistic about his situation. With a Twitter account and a mobile phone, he has set up a global network to support his campaign to return to China after having been denied entry eight times by the authorities. "I'm the most wretched lucky man in the world," he tweeted.Feng created a whole new way of life, following in the footsteps not only of real historical figures such as Gandhi and Martin Luthur King, but also fictional characters like Tom Hanks in The Terminal and Neo in The Matrix. He has gained thousands of supporters from across the world. The old-fashioned Chinese government still can't understand how a microblogging site can provide such power. It doesn't seem to have realised that the world is moving into a new age, in which everyone is connected – and in which you won't be able to use sovereignty to claim your border anymore. That's the trend in the coming decade. You have the capability to see anyone in the world, or be seen by others if your words really have value.This triggers my reflection on nationality, once a most important part of our social identity. I was told by my balance sheet that I have spent more than 6,000 US dollars in the past five years to apply for visas from China to the US. Over the same period I made more than 5,000 friends from all over the world via the internet. Sometimes, when I'm in an internet cafe, the only thing to remind me that I'm still in China is that I have to turn on a proxy to access the thousands of blocked websites. But even then, I'm just a few clicks away from the status of non-nationality again. In this way, the country's border has been disrupted and won't be easily restored.Technology matters, but the more important thing is whether people will be more open to sharing. I call it "sharism". The new spirit can help one person to make his or her thoughts known and plug into global social networks. Without doubt, the media world will be changed because of such paradigm shift – as will sovereignty.Those who believe in a top-down approach will still try hard to maintain a hierarchy so that they can keep their authority. But I'm sure they will learn many lessons as they begin to face the reality of losing their power. A purely top-down structure can destroy itself, whether we're talking about a country or a small organisation. It's sad for some in the short term, but best for all human beings as we evolve towards the vision of a global brain.I get the feeling that Feng Zhenghu is not fighting for himself, and not even to return to his home country. Instead, he is campaigning for the freedom of identity. After declining refugee status from the UN, he is actually a digital nomad now. That's really postmodern today, but could be very common in 2020.InternetChinaTwitterIsaac Maoguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
The people of Iceland deserve our sympathy Demanding that they pay for failed banks is unfair on victims of politicians, bankers and regulators"People of Britain: Surrender and we will take our freezing weather back. Best regards, Iceland." A tempting offer, posted on the Guardian website last week. But even if the snow stays, there are compelling reasons why the British and Dutch governments should not play hardball against Iceland, which is holding a referendum over the return of €3.9bn (£3.5bn) lost by savers in failed bank Landsbanki. As the repayment is likely to cost around €12,000 (£10,700) per citizen, Icelanders are highly unlikely to vote in favour. There are suggestions that most of the liability could be cleared by the bank's assets, but that is uncertain.On the face of it, there might seem to be no good reason for taxpayers here and in the Netherlands to pay for the reckless behaviour of an Icelandic bank, but it is not that simple. First, there is the question of proportionality. Iceland has a population of just under 320,000. The costs of the bailout of Icesave on its citizens are much higher than to the 76 million in the UK and the Netherlands, at about €50 (£45) a head. The distress to Icelanders, many of whom are already losing their homes, will be extreme.Second, the FSA and the Dutch regulators, who are meant to look after the interests of consumers, let the Icelanders set up shop, so they must bear some responsibility. There is a strong element of caveat emptor: even if individual savers were taken in, shouldn't the highly paid finance directors of local authorities have thought twice about Icelandic accounts?The proposal by Jubilee Debt Campaign for an international debt tribunal seems sensible. The idea is that it would act as an independent arbitrator to prevent creditors draining money from countries which cannot afford it, or for illegitimate loans. It would mitigate against the moral hazard of letting nations off scot-free, while protecting innocent citizens from being impoverished. One aspect of Gordon Brown's record for which he receives too little credit is his commitment to poor countries; in the light of this, he should show some forbearance towards Iceland. As with other heavily indebted nations, it is unfair to make ordinary people pay for the misdeeds of a wanton elite and the negligence of politicians, bankers and regulators.IcesaveIcelandNetherlandsFinancial crisisRuth Sunderlandguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Helping Haiti: The U.S. Navy Is Ready, But Aid Is Not The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson moves into place near Port-au-Prince is laden with choppers, but so far 
it has very little relief to distribute feedproxy.google.com |
Nigeria bodies stuffed in wells More victims of deadly religious clashes in central Nigeria are discovered, with scores of bodies stuffed in wells. news.bbc.co.uk |