Did you know kids don't use email? They say they prefer social media and txt messages. The other day I opened up Pidgin for the first time in a while and realized that I haven't added any "new" contacts in years. I barely write to my own blog and have failed to visit my RSS feed reader in a very long time.
Meanwhile, I use Facebook on a daily basis. Sometimes I keep tabs on my mobile. My problem with Facebook has recently become what my problem on MySpace used to be. I don't like the software. I want something very different. I stay for two reasons. First, I know a lot of people who are active on Facebook. Second, I haven't found an alternative I would want to encourage my friends to join.
The recent closure of Internet connectivity in Egypt during the revolution sends a strong message about ownership of the Internet. Ownership should be distributed. The tool that replaces Facebook should be distributed. Diaspora perhaps?
It's really pretty simple. If we the people can hang on to the Internet - even if it means building our own - then we stand a chance. Otherwise, nothing changes from the way things have been for thousands of years. This is about to become very important.