The Innumerable Power of Web 2.0

It is our boon; on the other hand it poses as a bane that will not go away. Just when we think of the power that web 2.0 has presented us with we are obliged to look the other way when the harm it poses to us comes live before our eyes.

Kenya has just held a successful general election in 2013, compared to 2007 where more than 1000 people lost their lives. At the centre of it all was the electronic system that had promised a new dawn to the voting process in the country. To the dismay of most citizens it did not live up to the bill with numerous failures at various stages of the process.

While very few cases of human injustices were reported during the 2013 election process, one cannot fail to notice where the war was. The raging negative tribal exchanges witnessed on social media opens up a new reason to think otherwise about the web 2.0 technologies. The hate and anger that has been part of the general election in Kenya was much alive in 2013, only that this time the citizens were hiding behind the veil of new technologies.

Never the less it is not all gloom and doom. In this same nation where a few individuals are downplaying the benefits that lay within web 2.0 technologies, the same platforms have played greater roles to alleviate the suffering of many. From twitter to weblogs, where focused individuals have waged successful campaigns that have led to the rescue of those dying of hunger, floods or other calamities that have befallen our great nation. But, all is not lost. The power that the new media technologies wield is countless.

Women who for a longtime have been faced with the dilemma of being a mother and at the same time pursue a career have found refuge in the ability to work online. While I might not be a mother yet, I have experienced the beauty of virtual working office. From meeting friends and workmates online the power is not lost on me. I believe the continued discovery of new devices to enable us tap the power of web 2.0 technologies should go on.

The ease with which we learn of new developments in the world has greatly changed. At the click of a button am able to learn about what new developments the economic powers that be are making. As a young journalist, I do not have to wait for a media company to engage my services. All I have to do is pour my thoughts on a self published blog. As youth with all the possible resources in our hands, we must not abuse the power of the web technologies. It is our time to change the world by harnessing the benefits presented to us. Hail the power that is web 2.0!