The Power of Digital Media

An Egyptian soldier receives a flower from a government protester. 
Chris Hondros / Getty Images

I want to start my blog by honoring the power of digital media. I named my blog Graphic Designosaur because I’ve been in graphic design for almost 20 years. I’ve been able to survive in this highly competitive business in spite of my aversion to the inevitable change from print media towards a digital world where information is no longer bound by the physical constraints of the printed page, or even the spatial constraints of time.  I once thought my sheer passion for this business (and, ahem, my talent) would keep me occupied long into my fortnight. Of course that fantasy didn’t last long, and while circumstances kept me from doing it sooner, I’m now dutifully working towards an AAS degree in Digital Media / Multimedia Design at Broward College. But before I delve into that I want to get back to the real power of digital media. I don’t mean the power to sell a box of laundry detergent or an automobile. I mean the power to change governments. While this is not a political blog, and I won’t dwell into the politics behind the movement, the role that social media has played in the events happening in Egypt and in Tunisia cannot be denied. Consider; after the Egyptian army declared it would not use force against  the protesters, the New York Times had this to say: 

“Those statements, along with the damage to Egypt’s economy, appeared to weaken Mr. Mubarak’s grip on power just two weeks after a group of young political organizers called on Facebook for a day of protest inspired by the ouster of another Arab strongman, in Tunisia.”

Yup, they called on Facebook to start the revolution.

And speaking of the power of digital media, some of the photographs coming out of Egypt are truly amazing. The ability of a still image to capture a moment is unrivaled by any medium, including movies.