24 August 2008

My Facebook

In January 2006 I set up this blog. This event was subsequently followed by numerous other initiatives on the Internet, ranging from video clips posted on YouTube, summaries of Cabinet proceedings, direct streaming of the events held in Vasto and in Piazza Navona, through to Never Land, the virtual island on Second Life and the establishment of the Italia dei Valori portal. Each day I read through the hundreds of comments concerning my posted articles and e-mails. Many politicians and friends believe that I am wasting my time, but they are wrong.
The Internet is a form of communication that is free, direct and independent. It is not some “new” way to communicate, nor is it a communication “channel”, and anyone who sees it as such is simply dismissing what has essentially been a historic revolution that has introduced new ways for individuals to relate to each other, revolutionised our culture, increased the spread of information, increased the availability of services and shortened access and information lead times, thereby breaking down social barriers and reducing the distances between individuals. The Internet gathers within itself the inherent ability of every individual to contribute to the building up of the knowledge base within a Country, as well as to the organisation of such knowledge and acting like a megaphone for the potential that is yet to be discovered.
The Internet is all about democracy and, therefore, it is also all about politics.
A few months ago I decided to open a personal account with Facebook.
Facebook is a social networking platform that first made its appearance on the Internet back in 2004 and that now has a user base of some 60 million people. Each day, millions of people get together and exchange photographs, messages and video clips. I am one of these people.
The reason for this choice is that it fits in with my view of the Internet as being an instrument by which the citizens can participate in politics, one that is free of the limitations affecting the traditional media, which has now become the moribund tool of the old fashioned politician, and a means of remaining in contact with the real needs of the country.
Anyone who may wish to do so can access my Facebook profile, join the network of initiatives and involve me in their own initiatives. The link for gaining access to my space is to be found in the top toolbar of this blog. I am waiting for you all to go there.

Posted by Antonio Di Pietro in Information