Do you believe people are more or less likely to be protest publicly if they post online?

[Writer]

To better explain: Will people find it LESS necessary to take to the streets because they are able to vent their frustrations online? Or do you believe that people would be MORE likely to organize if they communicate with others online, and therefore more likely to take to the streets?

A side question could be: Do you believe it's necessary to protest publicly in today's digital environment?

Edit: Clarity.

[Writer]

1. Kick.

[blogslut]

2. I protest online

because I cannot protest in person.

[EFerrari]

3. The group of people that I see at our local marches are all online, too. nt

[bryant69]

4. I think you have two factors

The safety-valve factor and the I'm not alone factor. It's true that people who participate at DU probably feel like they are accomplishing something just by participating in this community.

On the other hand, I think the value to DU is the feeling of community, the feeling that one isn't alone in his or her objections to the Bush Presidency, and the possibilities that opens up. So I see it as more positive than negative.

I could be wrong.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Writer]

7. But the value of DU is not the question here.

It's whether or not posting in an online political community - any online political community - would make someone more or less likely to make a picket sign, go outside, and protest.

[bryant69]

8. Well i personalized it to my experience

I take your point, though.

I would think those two factors would hold true for any board. I would imagine some boards, particularly conservative boards, lean more on the just sitting around patting each other on the back for having the right idea type.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[WilliamPitt]

5. More

Because posting online in places like this affords access to places and times where protests will occur, and exposure to people and groups organizing same.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. You are forgetting the connections that can be made online

I protest in the streets several times a week with people I have met online.

[cally]

9. Much more

I first went to a protest and met up with DU folks. I went by myself and I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't felt obligated to go by all the postings at DU (This was 2002.) Since then, I've met many folks from KOS or DU walking precincts and protesting.

[Writer]

10. Kick again for more data points.

[LSK]

11. I wouldnt know where or when to protest if it wasnt for online

[Writer]

12. I'm curious to read any alternative opinions on this issue. Why...

didn't you choose "more likely?"

[JeffR]

13. It seems intuitive that most activists would do both, no?

If you're interested and informed enough to do one, you'd be more likely to do the other. I don't buy the either/or dichotomy at all.

edit: It's necessary more than ever to do both, I believe.

[NoodleBoy]

14. In my experience, the most dedicated activists are not at all or are hardly involved online,

while the people most involved online are the first to sneer at the thought of political activity that doesn't involve a modem.