5. EMPOWERMENT
SOCIAL |
OF
INDIVIDUALS
IN
CYBERSPACE
ECONOMIC | POLITICAL
Case Studies
The proliferation of the internet has resulted in an increase
in empowerment of individuals to shape the social, economic and political course in Asia.
INDIA | SINGAPORE | MALAYSIA
7. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
INDIA
SOCIAL ASPECT
Proliferation of the internet and the advent of cyberspace gave
rise to the evolution of arranged marriage.
Individuals in India are empowered to shape the course
of their journey in the search of life partners.
From traditional matchmaking in-person to arranged marriage
on matrimonial websites and casual dating on dating websites.
OVERVIEW
8. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
INDIA
SOCIAL ASPECT
BEFORE THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Matchmake by soliciting the help of matchmakers with social
reputation for brokering successful weddings. It can be done in-
person or matrimonial advertisements in newspapers, caste
journals and magazines.
Compatibility of suitors is based on astrology forecast, caste,
religion, physical appearance etc.
Exchange of photos with prospective matches and the
shortlisting of candidates for in-person meetings.
‘Seeing the Girl’ is part of the in-person meeting where the girl
typically appears by bringing refreshments to the prospective
match upon visit. Thereafter, decision is made and informed
through the matchmaker.
9. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
INDIA
SOCIAL ASPECT
AFTER THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
The advent of cyberspace gave rise to traditional matrimonial websites such as
Shaadi.com, jeevansathi.com, indiamatch.com as an extension of the existing
traditional culture of arranged marriage
Non-traditional websites like twomangoes.com are created for young urban Indian who are
interested to find someone with similar interests. Compatibility on these sites is based on
shared interests rather than astrology forecast, caste etc.
10. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
INDIA
SOCIAL ASPECT
AFTER THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Individuals are empowered to select the prospective partners
by viewing online profiles with photos/videos and details without
prejudice and consideration of the traditional set of criteria set
by generations before.
12. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
ECONOMIC ASPECT
SINGAPORE
The proliferation of Internet and cyberspace gave rise to
the emergence of blogshops by individuals to express
entrepreneurial and creative spirit.
Individuals are empowered to be more than just consumers
of mass products, they are the producers/sellers of these
products.
Individuals are no longer restricted to the stringent policies
and limitations of having brick-and-mortar retail outlets.
Cyberspace has empowered and inspired individuals to be
entrepreneurs in an inexpensive and efficient way.
OVERVIEW
13. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
ECONOMIC ASPECT
SINGAPORE
Clear distinction between the role of consumers and
sellers/producers. Consumers purchase items and sellers
sell at shopping centres
To set-up a brick-and-mortar store is expensive and time-
consuming. Considerations such as rent, location,
maintenance of physical space are essential.
BEFORE THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
14. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
ECONOMIC ASPECT
SINGAPORE
Consumers can now be sellers/producers. Emergence of blogshops and individuals
wanting to sell preloved clothes.
Love, Bonito is one of the most popular online retail shops that started off with
its founders wanting to sell preloved clothes; they opened a blogshop and
snagged Best Online Blogshop in 2009. Now they’re a full on fashion label.
AFTER THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Cyberspace has empowered individuals like Rachel, Viola and
Velda to be entrepreneurs who turned their passion of
fashion into a successful career
16. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
MALAYSIA
POLITICAL ASPECT
Advent of cyberspace gave rise to the emergence of cyberactivism.
Activism is no longer limited to the physical sphere.
Individuals are empowered to participate in public discourse in
cyberspace. Moreover, they are given wide-array of choices for
new media platforms that appeal most.
Before the emergence of cyberspace, individuals/activists gather at a
common time and place to participate in public discourse. The proliferation of
Internet empowers individuals to participate in public discourse at their
preferred time and select the medium of choice that appeal most to them.
OVERVIEW
17. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
POLITICAL ASPECT
BEFORE THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Riots in various locations in the state of Sabah. Parti Bersatu Sabah
won the 1985 state election ousting Parti Berjaya (component party
of Barisan Nasional) from the helm of government.
Plastic explosives and bombs were detonated, buildings were burned and
cars were flipped. Mobs attempted to bring down the president of PBS
from the Chief Minister post.
Individuals did not have much say about the public discourse,
location or time of riot. They experienced excruciating damage as
a result of the riot. The level of empowerment that individuals
experienced were not as much as when the advent of cyberspace
took place.
MALAYSIA
SABAH RIOT, 1986
18. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
POLITICAL ASPECT
AFTER THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Section 114A presumes that individuals are guilty
if defamatory content can be traced to their
username, electronic device, or wifi network.
Innocent parties may be unfairly implicated and
wrongly accused of publishing seditious content,
while cyber criminals could get away scot-free by
manipulating a person’s computer or user
account to make it seem like their victim are
responsible for the offending content.
STOP 114A INTERNET BLACKOUT 2012
MALAYSIA
19. EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
POLITICAL ASPECT
AFTER THE ADVENT OF CYBERSPACE
Unlike the Sabah Riot in 1986, individuals from all over
Malaysia and the rest of the world were able to participate in
the cyber protests that were organized by Centre for
Independent Journalism (CIJ). Thousands participated by
tweeting, posting on Facebook, designing banners and
pictures, emailing, to even going offline the whole day.
STOP 114A INTERNET BLACKOUT 2012
MALAYSIA
Individuals were empowered to participate in public
discourse in the cyberspace without having to
travel to a physical space at a given time,
experience the damages of a physical protest and
they were given a voice to share their views online.
