Is face to face the ultimate 'element' in regime change?

There has been a lot written about the role that new technologies have played in the massive wave of protest which has spread like a wild fire all across the Middle East. It is said that the fact the people have come together as a result of being"connected" via the Internet, mobile telephony and computers has certainly been a new catalyst.
If we take the metaphor of Emperor Penguins, who all huddle together for collective warmth and security to conquer the enemy of the frozen, biting Arctic winds, we see similar 'huddling' going on all across the countries of North Africa.


Unrest comes in many forms but clearly the sharp rise in food prices together with the economic stagnation and extreme authoritarian control in the regimes which have been toppled and are perhaps about to topple, has forced ordinary people to respond and in such a dramatic fashion.



From our perspective it is yet again evidence that the only way to create action which is effective is with face to face meeting. Yes, the online revolution has been the spark to light the fire of ordinary people coming together...but the ordinary people have to come together, face to face, before anything can really happen.



The fact that the forces of oppression are facing such unity and strength in numbers is a testimony to the awesome power of the face to face meeting in our world. The autocratic leaders always knew this and always forced people away from massing together to demonstrate and protest and be heard simply because they realised its potential effect.



Now the people have spoken with their bodies as well as with their voices and they have clearly asked for change. They have come together, face to face, all with different creeds and religions and political beliefs, but united in their desire for change. That is what is so irresistible about this Middle East situation and why this kind of rule is now going to be cast aside to make way for a different type of existence. Only time will tell what this will be but surely it must be better than what they have been coerced to accept.