links for 2009-02-16

I'm posting this not so much to highlight the post, as the blog itself (run by an acquaintance of an acquaintance). When journalists weren't allowed into Gaza, it was an invaluable read – and a lesson in the role of blogging in a wider media tapestry. I don't think citizen journalism will ever replace professional journalism, but the two are parts of the same bigger picture.

For me the worst part of this is the arbitration agreement. I think I remember reading that in cases that fall to private arbitrartion, the process falls in favour of the company over 90% of the time. This is bad, and a great reason to NOT run any important socially aware programs over Facebook (college classes spring to mind – you'd be surprised how often I've heard educators suggest using the site for social networking practices).

I have huge respect for mySociety and the sites they produce – important tools that sit at the intersection of cutting-edge web development and democracy. And Tom Steinberg is an awesome guy. I'd imagine this would be a really fantastic job for the right person – although if politics isn't your thing, its worth remembering that Curverider is looking for someone very similar …