Thursday, February 7, 2013



The modern day cell phone has become integrated into many modern day societies, and is now highly regarded as a tool that is not only helpful but also imperative in terms of productivity and accessibility. Through its dissemination it has become a part of a lot of people’s world- some say that it even has brought the world closer together. With every step towards a better advancement in technology, however, it seems like a recurring trend for it to fall into the wrong hands. A prime example (but certainly not the least) is that of Syria and Iran. The use of cell phones in an effort to track and kill innocent civilians in tyrannic countries such as these has instigated a state of turmoil. What does President Obama have to say in response? He says that regardless of the outbreaks of genocide that has been occurring with the use of cellphones to track, capture, and kill civilians, it "does not mean that we intervene militarily every time there is an atrocity committed. We cannot and should not."
Although this may show a detachment from the rest of the world, this creates many undisclosed issues that will continue going unresolved unless there is a global consensus on how to approach issues such as this. The question that comes into play is, then, when should we intervene on issues such as the growing tension between totalitarian government regimes and and the usage of cell phones to facilitate their schemes? More specifically, who will be stepping up and taking responsibility? There have been many cases in history in which the societal norm is to turn a blind eye to the situation, with a ‘didn’t see it didn’t happen’ mind-set. But how much longer can everyone stand back and let chaos happen before it’s too late? When technology continues to improve, one can barely begin to imagine the tactics and methods that will go along with it. Unless we change our attitude and treat genocide with the global attention it deserves, the use of technology- such as cell phones in this case- may further create a disparity between our nations. Unless we treat the situations we face as they are, we may never be as connected of a world as we hope to be.  

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