THE WEB IMITATING LIFE OR LIFE IMITATING THE WEB?

The previous article that touched on this subject did not do enough justice to the good bloggers out there who did and still do their best to counteract the massive negativity of the blogosphere. At the prompting of our worthy reader B-caratone, this is an addendum highlighting those shiny moments and corners. 

In addition, I will use several quotes from a BBC article written on January 16th, 2008 which sampled a cross section of comments from different Kenyan blogs at the height of P.E.V to demonstrate that some of what you read on the blogs has an uncanny way of assuming real life relevance. Whether by examining those comments were are able to answer the question "does the web imitate life or life imitates the web,"  one thing we can be sure of is that the web is a mirror through which the world sees us, nay, reads our thoughts.

But of what use is this revisionist take on what was said on such a tumultuous time by some anonymous trolls? Read this comment as reported on the BBC website and tell me that it does not have a bearing on a problem (grave problem) that we are facing in Central Province as we speak:

"what is wrong with Mungiki resurrecting? nothing. They are standing up to fight for the house of Mumbi!!!!" [Mumbi is the mother of the Kikuyu people, according to Kikuyu oral tradition."

The poster apparently supported the so called retaliation attacks which in the real sense were yet more savage attacks on innocent, defenceless people. The irony of looking at those comments in view of what is happening today is not lost on most of you. I suggest you take a look at the article for a wide array of opinions as expressed by Kenyan bloggers during that fateful period (including yours humbly) and as read by the world.

Those who came out and lent a positive voice during that time include Ory Okolloh of kenyanpundit.com who in conjunction with David Kobia of mashada started the Ushahidi initiative, a web "hotline" project which helped inform on suspicious activities to warn people of attacks. Several online petitions were also started calling for peace and such was the tenor of some comments even in blogs which predominantly appeared to fan the inferno.

I hope I am wrong but this goodwill may have to be summoned again. But as I said on a previous post, we now have the luxury of having looked at our horoscope and seen the horrors in store for us. For that reason, the rational voices among us must act preemptively and be on the watch for the red flags if we hope to avert the tragedies of the past.