eExtremists

eCulture this week has a new tutor and lecturer and has given a better perspective on what needs to be written and constructed for the weekly blogs. This week, i'll be discussing extremism.

Extremism is characterized by dogmatic intolerance, expressed mildly or violently, and inclines toward an inflexible obedience to an accepted authority, shaped by a common ideology or sense of group unity (Gardner, 1997).

Many issuies drive extremists, such as Racial Purity, Anti Liberal and anti Government movements. Basically anything that goes against the norm in society.

The internet is used in many ways to spread certain message about extremist groups and helps recruit new members.

A quote which I thought was important to include was that:

“Extremist groups were among the very early users of electronic communication network that eventually evolved into the Internet. For example, Tom Metzger, the leader of the White Aryan Resistance, created a computer bulletin board. Since then these groups have been very active” (Gerstenfeld, Grant and Chiang, 2003:1).

Most extremist web sites include multimedia content, chat features and links to other assoicated websites.

An example of a current eExtremist group using internet resources is the Aryan Nations. The Aryan Nations are dedicated extremists to Racial Purity. The website allows users to sign up, contact and chat to other registered users and administrators. It also promotes other webites and provides activist tips to encourage readers to take their stance on racial purity.
Please see the website below for more details:
http://www.aryan-nations.org/

Another internet method used by extremists is the internets cyberspace online chatting and messaging enviroment. A great way too attract and advertise to new members!

This has however posed a significant threat to children gaining access to these sites and making a decision on what they read due to not having the experience needed to make a researched or knowledgeable decision.

I think its important for the parents of the children to teach them media literacy and critical thinking rather then relying on filtering software and firewalls to block certain websites!

It is also important to mention that the government and internet filtering organisations will always find it hard to govern the world wide web. One of the major reasons for this is the difficulty of finding the location of the hosting website and identifying and charging the owner of the website. In contrast, traditional advertising methods such as the TV and radio can be easily governed and prevented. The internet really has given extremist groups a great, easy and effective way to communicate, advertise and to attract new members!