Social Media in the Post-Arab Spring

Posted on Dec 1, 2011

Facebook and Twitter posts have been used to expel liberal students from universities in the Middle East; a neo-Nazi terror cell is evidence of Germany’s deep-rooted xenophobia; and readings of the New Testament reveal that Apostle Paul did not denounce homosexuality. These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top.

In the Arab Spring’s Wake, Twitter Trolls and Facebook Spies
“Do you have a Facebook account?” That may not sound like a political question, but it was one of the first questions a university committee in Bahrain asked students following the pro-democracy protests there last February.

The Zionist ultra-Orthodox are cashing in their IOU
The Haredim and Hardalim, as the non-Zionist and Zionist ultra-Orthodox are respectively known, are now cashing in their promissory note from Israeli society.

Schools add Internet etiquette, safety to coursework
As more students spend large chunks of study and leisure time online, schools across the USA are adding coursework focused on privacy, cyberbullying and electronic plagiarism.

MoveOn is the Opposite of the Occupy Movement
MoveOn has a history of undermining progressive causes in support of the corporate-dominated Democratic Party.

University sports’ protective moves
What would a pornographic website based on the theme “Hook ’Em Horns” look like?

Neo-Nazi Killings Expose Broad German Xenophobia
The discovery of a neo-Nazi terror cell in Germany has many concerned about the country’s reputation. With good reason.

Apostle Paul acknowledged that homosexuality does not prevent Christians from going to heaven
For the last 2,000 years, Christians have been taught to believe that Apostle Paul condemned homosexuality.

HP printers can be remotely controlled and set on fire
Security researchers at Columbia University have accused HP of selling printers with a flaw that could let hackers gain remote control over the devices.

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