While on a lengthy medical leave from work, I’ve been working overtime on my political campaign, my websites and promotional activities related to both.
As you probably know, the Internet is a black hole. More than create my first blog just several days ago, I created several blogs and forums, most of them associated with Google (Blogspot) and Opera. I was flirting with exhaustion even before I got around to Facebook.
About the same time, I tried out a new browser – Flock. I’m not sure if I’m describing it correctly, but it appears to be designed for use as a “social browser.” In other words, it’s a good choice if you’re tuned in to GMail, posting on forums and tinkering with Facebook.
Which brings me back to Facebook. You probably know more about it than I do. I was aware that it was some sort of “social networking” website, but that’s about the extent of it.
In fact, it’s really very cool. After registering, you can type in some information – like what high school and college you attended – and Facebook matches you with classmates, some of whom you might remember.
Viva Chavez!
Facebook also allows you to create groups. For example, if you hate Microsoft, you might want to join a new group I created – M$. But I also created another group that’s more pertinent to this forum: Viva Chavez!.
It’s not without competition. There’s FUCK BUSH! Viva Hugo Chavez!, with 2,210 members, and Hugo Chavez’s Friends, with 1,286 members. In fact, I joined both of them.
Boo, Chavez!
So Facebook is a powerful force for Chavismo, right? In fact, I was amazed at the preponderance of anti-Chavez Facebook groups.
I clicked on the Groups link, then typed “Chavez” into the search box and discovered that there were over 500 matches. Of course, not all of them relate to HUGO Chavez. However, I scanned several pages of hits, and only a handful did not relate to Hugo Chavez.
Another interesting thing: The great majority of them – at least the initial descriptions – are in Spanish. Of course, that isn’t odd by iteself; Venezuela is a Spanish speaking country, similar to most Latin American nations. Rather, I was struck by the relative lack of English group descriptions.
I should point out that my knowledge of Spanish is minimal, so I couldn’t understand all the descriptions. But the great majority clearly were not supportive of Chavez; many even featured insulting images.
Moreover, some of these anti-Chavez groups are huge. No Mas Chavez!!! has nearly 74,000 members.
Who Cares?
Of course, Facebook isn’t as urgent an issue as FARC or the United States’ decision to relaunch the Fourth Fleet. It’s just another Internet fad, right?
In fact, it can be seen as an extension of the media, helping shape public opinion. Exactly how effective Facebook is at warping people’s minds I don’t know, but we’re talking about many groups which collectively boast tens of thousands of members (at least) – and who knows what else these people might be up to?
It would also be interesting to know why there are so many anti-Chavez Facebook groups. Is it merely an expression of popular opinion, or is the U.S. government supporting them?
And where do the creators of these groups live? Are most of them Venezuelan, Colomibian or Brazilian? How many of them are U.S. citizens?
Is it conceivable that Bill Gates might even be involved somehow? Facebook has entered into a partnership with Microsoft, and there are fears that Microsoft could eventually acquire it. Indeed, I discovered several Facebook groups protesting a possible merger with Microsoft.
Yes, that’s a bit of a reach, but Bill Gates is a close ally of George W. Bush, and, like the CIA and Pentagon, he recently launched a new Latin American initiative. He claims he wants to help Latin American students. Whatever.
* * * * *
I should emphasize that the research I did was quite casual and fairly hasty. A more thorough examination of Facebook’s Chavez-related groups would certainly turn up some more tidbits of information.
However, I think my basic assessment – that Facebook is infested with anti-chavistas – is accurate. Whether or not it’s important in the big scheme of things is anybody’s guess. I view it as just one more battleground where Hugo Chavez’ friends need to flex their muscles.
David Blomstrom
Note: I published this article online, but it disappeared, so I’m publishing it a second time. Sorry about any confusion.
the whole world is infested with anti-chavistas you moron. do you know what type of chavista you are? you are the dumbest of the dumb.
The New York Times
June 3, 2008
Chávez Decree Tightens Hold on Intelligence
By SIMON ROMERO
(Snip. Links only. And keep up the retarded approach, because it demonstrates nicely for everyone how retarded the escualidos are.)
A moron who calls himself “You Moron” wrote, “the whole world is infested with anti-chavistas you moron.”
Moron – we all know there are both chavistas and anti-chavistas around the world. But I don’t think their relative numbers are reflected by Facebook.
You can’t tell me chavistas are outnumbered by anti-chavistas in Venezuela. (That’s the country where Chavez keeps getting reelected – moron.) The citizens of most other South American nations have also elected leftist leaders who are to some degree allied with Chavez – moron.
The exception that proves the rule is Colombia, of course – and their elections are hardly fair. Peru also lacks a leftist president, but the last election was close, and many people predict a change of parties next time around.
I don’t know what Chavez’ relative popularity is outside Latin America, but many people regard him as a hero.
As I mentioned in my article, most of the Facebook groups have Spanish, rather than English, descriptions. Does that reflect Venezuela’s anti-chavista minority? Colombia’s right-wing corporate mouthpieces?
There is another possibility. I read just recently that Chavez is more hated in Spain than George W. Bush. If true – and I find it hard to believe – then Spain would probably rank as one of a handful of nations where George W. Bush isn’t the most hated person (with the possible exception of local leaders).
I simply don’t believe the overwhelming number of anti-Chavez Facebook groups mirrors reality. Moron.
This was actually a great idea for a piece.
I am surprised you didnt even mention the fact that since Facebook is currently English only (in terms of the user interface), its mostly comprised by the rich kids who have studied in US/europe, or get extra-curricular language teaching in the private colleges of Caracas.
Basically, its nothing more than that. But you were right to highlight the power of such a phenomenon.
Theres not much one can do by creating pro-chavez groups either, at least for the moment. It’s best to just accept it as an extension of the results of Western media bias against chavez.
Carlos wrote, “I am surprised you didnt even mention the fact that since Facebook is currently English only (in terms of the user interface), its mostly comprised by the rich kids who have studied in US/europe, or get extra-curricular language teaching in the private colleges of Caracas.”
I really don’t know much about Facebook, but I THINK it’s the website I’ve heard characterized as serving as a hangout for snotty rich kids. I think I recall people complaining about being bothered by rude, stupid visitors and guests on Facebook.
And didn’t Bill Gates create a profile on Facebook? I think I remember reading about that; I’ll have to check it out.
“Theres not much one can do by creating pro-chavez groups either, at least for the moment. It’s best to just accept it as an extension of the results of Western media bias against chavez.”
I’d rather fight it than accept it. It sometimes seems like the corporate media are too overwhelming to challenge, but they can be fought in many ways – on their own turf, through online forums and blogs, social networking and word of mouth.
The cool thing about social networking is that it works by itself. Create a group, and people are welcome to join as members or “friends” 24/7. Also, you don’t necessarily have to recruit 74,000 members to make a diffrence. Just half a dozen intelligent, committed members could plot some serious mischief.
I love Opera’s groups feature. It allows you to create a blog and several forums and set various access levels. My ultimate goal is to create a series of blogs, forums, polls and “social networks” and link them to each other, to Ven Central and related sites, then use my campaign to help publicize them and see where it goes. I also publicize them by joining political forums and creating “signatures” with links to these sites. I’ve just discovered a couple forums that apparently rank really high in Google; I posted some simple introductions and quickly got listed in Google News.
Just joined the pro-Chavez groups. Can’t let the “You Morons” win, can we?
LOL
I’m sorry the group isn’t better developed yet. I’m working on a series of blogs, forums, polls and social networks related to both Chavez and Campaign 2008, so it will take me a while to get it all squared away. I registered with MySpace just today, but I have to wait seven days before I can create groups there.
The bad thing is that MySpace is owned by Rupert Murdoch -owner of Fox News and arguably the world’s #1 media whore. And Facebook may have some connections with Microsoft.
Oh, well – nothing like sticking it to the enemy on his own turf, eh?
Another toy I’ve been playing with is Urban Dictionary, a site that lets people create their own definitions for various words and terms. In fact, you can even create your own words.
Hugo Chavez was taking a beating until I added a positive definition – http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?defid=3017121&term=Hugo+Chavez
I linked my Viva Chavez website to it, and it has slowly accumulated more thumbs up votes than thumbs down.
I had earlier published a definition for a term I coined, “Seattle Mafia” – http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Seattle+Mafia
Just recently someone added a second definition.
These sorts of activities may seem mindless, but they can help get the message out. I’ve also read that such interactive items can help a cause by giving people a feeling of being involved, even if superficially. I want to learn how to write and edit articles on Wikipedia, too.
P.S. Some of you Spanish speakers ought to add a definition for Hugo Chavez in Spanish to Urban Dictionary. I’ll bet they’d accept it. I know a little Spanish, but not enough to do a good job.
…the spy who loved me… what a beautiful song
and what a beautiful image caption
http://www.ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=297385042418670
Mr David, I suggest you lay off that potent marijuana you have been smoking. Oh you don’t smoke anymore? I can see the damage has been done. What else did you do in your day?
“What else did you do in your day?”
The finest Colombian cocaine – until George W. Bush took over the business and jacked up the price.
hmmmm… then why is half of the cocaine final processing done in labs in Venezuela’s Delta Amacuro under the protection of the State?
A lot easier to “legally” import the raw chemicals (needed for processing) from Europe to Venezuela and keep the labs in Venezuela instead of having to send those chemical drums back into Colombia through thick and dense jungle where the processing labs are under constant threat of attack by the US backed Colombian military.
But I guess the folks on this blog are know-it-alls!
One more thing David, the US street price of cocaine has remained flat so your GWB comment is only further proof of your inability to deal with the facts.
Seriously, you can still quit pot.
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/06/03/venezu19014.htm
well done by HRW
Westdakota,
Do you work for the Chavez goverment or do you just have soo much free time?
Developing Blogs, Forums, Facebook groups, RSS Feeds, etc..
Sure sounds like a job.
Specially considering you don’t speak spanish.
Tank wrote, “Do you work for the Chavez goverment or do you just have soo much free time?”
None of the above.
David, this is what happens to journalists in Venezuela who investigate government corruption and get too close:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/06/03/international/i085532D01.DTL
Bummer. It’s even more dangerous being a journalist in Colombia. On the other hand, the “journalists” here in the U.S. are themselves a menace to society. Maybe it’s a good thing Chavez is imposing some media reforms, eh?
our german brothers are in agreement
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,557736,00.html
If I’m not mistaken, your German brothers also have troops in Afghanistan. In other words, they’re little more than mercenaries for Corporate America. In fact, corporations seem to have firm control over most European nations.
“I read just recently that Chavez is more hated in Spain than George W. Bush. If true – and I find it hard to believe”
Psst… David here’s a hint- (they understand español)
chamo, are you one of those caraquenos that talks like a queer?
http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?p=14918