Facebook: not just zombies biting chumps
PEDRO REY/AFP/Getty Images Last week, I noted that rogue French trader Jérôme Kerviel had become a minor-league Internet superhero, largely through Facebook fan groups. (Today, the member count for the group “Jérôme Kerviel should be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics” stands at 2,813.) But along with online jokesters, Facebook’s members apparently also consist of ...
PEDRO REY/AFP/Getty Images
Last week, I noted that rogue French trader Jérôme Kerviel had become a minor-league Internet superhero, largely through Facebook fan groups. (Today, the member count for the group “Jérôme Kerviel should be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics” stands at 2,813.) But along with online jokesters, Facebook’s members apparently also consist of highly motivated social activists.
On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Colombians, along with supporters around the world in nearly 200 cities, led protests against the pro-communist rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The protests aren’t unexpected—the rebel group has been terrorizing Colombia for more than four decades—but the method of organization is what’s novel.
Roughly two months ago, after photos and video of FARC captives surfaced, enraged people began to join the Facebook group Un Millón De Voces Contra Las FARC (“A Million Voices Against FARC”). The group then grew with incredible speed to include more than 280,000 members, publishing its pleas for “No More! No More Kidnapping! No More Lies! No More Murder! No More FARC!” in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. The resulting protests are some of the largest ever seen on an international scale. Not bad for a Web site that started out as a networking platform for Ivy Leaguers.
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.