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Little Brother vs. Big Brother Campaign Little Brother vs. Big Brother Campaign
To mark the the one year anniversary of Digital Democracy, we’re launching Little Brother vs. Big Brother, a campaign to translate Cory Doctorow’s compelling book Little Brother into four Burmese languages. By translating and distributing electronic versions of the book to Burmese readers, we hope to broaden the debate on using technology in the struggle for freedom against tyranny. Read more…
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Mobiles Hidden in Monks Robes Mobiles Hidden in Monks Robes
In September 2007, despite less than 1% mobile penetration, mobile phones played a critical role in monk-led protests inside Burma. How were mobiles used inside the country, and around the borders? Read about this in the 3-part article I just published on MobileActive: Read more…
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DdTv Episode 7: Prachatai DdTv Episode 7: Prachatai
While continuing to explore the technology community in Bangkok, Mark and Emily meet some of the courageous people working in online Journalism today. Among them is Jiew, the Executive Director of Prachatai, an online alternative news source for Thailand. Prachatai hosts an online forum, allowing readers to respond to news and issues that are posted. Recently, Jiew was arrested due to several comments posted on the forum by one of its users. In this episode, Mark and Emily take a tour of the Prachatai office, and interview Jiew about her experiences from the past year - discussing the details of her arrest, why she continues to do what she does, and why Prachatai continues to be an important news source for Thailand. Read more…
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Presenting at ITP Social Activism using Mobile Technology class Presenting at ITP Social Activism using Mobile Technology class
Emily and I had the pleasure of guest lecturing at Nathan Freitas’ Social Activism using Mobile Technology class at NYU’s ITP program. It was a wonderful opportunity that you can read more about below: Read more…
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Testifying at US Congress Testifying at US Congress
We are currently writing from the Capitol Building in Washington, DC where Digital Democracy is submitting written testimony to a special Congressional hearing investigating the role of digital technology in protests that have occurred in recent years in countries under authoritarian governments: Read more…
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Heading to the first International Conference on Crisis Mapping Heading to the first International Conference on Crisis Mapping
This weekend, Digital Democracy is heading to join the conversations at the first International Conference on Crisis Mapping (ICCM 2009). Read more…
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DdTv Episode 6: Open Dream DdTv Episode 6: Open Dream
Bangkok is one of the centers of tech innovation in Asia, but it hasn’t always been that way. Tune in as our newly inoculated team moves from Bangkok Hospital to speak with John Berns, one of the co-founders of Barcamp Bangkok, about the rise of the local tech community. After a bike tour of the city, Emily and Mark travel to Open Dream to meet Thai developers building digital tools for civil society and business. They give us a tour of their office co-working space. What do open government initiatives look like in Thailand and are there ways to support the community there by creating programming teams for new gadgets things like Livescribe? Find out in this episode of DdTv! Read more…
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Building Momentum Building Momentum
Recently Gabe represented Digital Democracy at the Tides Momentum Conference in San Francisco, a convergence of leaders, philanthropists and activists working on a wide range of progressive social issues. It was an opportunity to get together with other dedicated, hard-working folks to discuss problems, share stories and brainstorm solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our society and our planet. Read more…
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DdTv Episode 5: Medical Tourism DdTv Episode 5: Medical Tourism
Inoculation against certain tropical diseases is a routine precaution for traveling in Southeast Asia but even getting a handful of shots in the U.S. can quickly become very expensive. As the debate over healthcare reform rages in the United States, Mark and Emily discuss what’s available, including, the single-payer option being explored by groups such as Healthcare Now! or online consultations through Brooklyn-based Hello Health. When it came to getting the necessary shots he needed for travel, Mark asked, “Why not just get them in Thailand?” It is with this question that a 3rd option was presented: medical tourism. Can Mark expect the same quality of care overseas? Can he afford it? And if so, what does that say about our own healthcare system in America? Find out on this episode of DdTv! Read more…