We've seen an explosion in the number and effectiveness of online political movements over the past year: Occupy Wall Street, the efforts against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Arab Spring each had some digital component.
Lawrence Lessig, Harvard law professor and Internet activist, believes this kind of online activism can't be directed from the top-down, but can — and should — be "nudged, fed and respected" by those involved.
In a speech delivered to the audience at Mashable Connect on Friday, Lessig compared online political movements to "starfish, rather than spiders," a reference to a book by Ori Brafman. The difference? Lessig says spiders have brains which controls their actions, while the movement of starfish is dependent on the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide and other outside forces.
SOPA, Lessig believes, was defeated because the anti-SOPA movement sprouted organically, and it had very little top-down organization. Instead, millions of Americans "finally called their Congresspeople," demanding that they vote against the bill. The stronger forces that became intertwined with the protests — such as Google and Wikipedia — provided more of a nudge rather than direct leadership.
When SOPA was cast off into legislative limbo, the Internet community stood guard against the next legal threat — and that may have arrived in the form of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, better known as CISPA.
Lessig's advice for those fighting against CISPA is simple: Take a step back and find the root cause of bad legislation.
"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root," said Lessig, quoting philosopher Henry David Thoreau.
And what is the root of evil in this scenario? To Lessig, it's corruption — which he defines as the overt influence of money in American politics.
"The corruption I'm talking about isn't about anybody committing a crime," said Lessig. "In fact, everything I'm talking about is completely legal. This is a corruption relative to the baseline of how government functions."
The American founding fathers, said Lessig, designed a government wherein Congress and the people form an interdependent, cooperative relationship. However, the system has deteriorated to the point that Congress is now dependent upon the "funders:" lobbyists and corporate interests.
He said 0.26% of Americans donated to a candidate in the last Congressional cycle, while 0.01% gave more than $10,000 — a sign that average Americans aren't getting their voices heard in Washington.
"The funders are not the people," said Lessig, adding that Congress and corporate interests are engaged in an "endless war" to tire American citizens of politics, enabling them to "preserve the status quo."
To Lessig, upending this system is the only way for the people to reclaim American democracy and fight for what they believe in — whether that's a free and open Internet, a solution to climate change or an end to military conflicts.
"Until we change this, it'll be the same as it ever was," said Lessig. "No matter what you care about, nothing's going to get fixed until we fix this."
Highlights From Mashable Connect 2012
The contents of each bag given to Mashable Connect attendees.
Mashable Connect attendees gathering in the hotel lobby.
While Thursday didn't have a full day of activities, there were things planned for Thursday evening.
In this photo from left to right: Mashable reporter Brian Hernandez, a Mashable Connect Guest, Mashable Community Assistant Stephanie Haberman, Mashable Reporter Sarah Kessler, and Mashable Features Editor Matt Silverman.
On the right is Mashable's Marketing Manager Jennifer Diamond with another attendee.
More happy Mashable Connect attendees.
Attendees were invited to a speed networking session to get know other attendees the first night.
You'd have two minutes to get to know the person sitting across from you.
At the end of the two minutes, attendees got up and slid to the right.
Second from left, Mashable U.S. and World Reporter Alex Fitzpatrick makes connections at speed networking.
Attendees were able to meet almost everyone during the session.
Mashable Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff listens during the speed networking session.
At the sound of the chime, it's time to change seats.
Mashable Community Manager Meghan Peters talks to another Mashable Connect attendee.
It's always important to start with the handshake.
A lone smartphone a picture of the Mashable Connect Thursday dinner.
Guests proceeded into the dinner room, where they would eat and listen to a keynote from Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore.
Mashable COO Sharon Feder addresses the Mashable Connect crowd with the help of Mickey Mouse.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore addresses the Thursday night crowd at Mashable Connect.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore addresses the Thursday night crowd at Mashable Connect.
The crowd listening to Pete Cashmore.
The entire Mashable staff in attendance gathers on stage with Pete Cashmore.
Some delicious looking dishes being served to Mashable Connect guests.
Mashable COO Sharon Feder laughing at Thursday's Mashable Connect Dinner.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore enjoying Thursday's Mashable Connect Dinner.
Mashable U.S. and World Reporter Alex Fitzpatrick talks to another Mashable Connect attendee.
Mashable's CTO Robyn Peterson, Sales Director Adam Berberich and founder and CEO Pete Cashmore share a conversation at Thursday's dinner.
Mashable Senior VP of Communications Stacy Green addresses the crowd during dinner.
The contents of each bag given to Mashable Connect attendees.
Mashable Connect attendees gathering in the hotel lobby.
While Thursday didn't have a full day of activities, there were things planned for Thursday evening.
In this photo from left to right: Mashable reporter Brian Hernandez, a Mashable Connect Guest, Mashable Community Assistant Stephanie Haberman, Mashable Reporter Sarah Kessler, and Mashable Features Editor Matt Silverman.
On the right is Mashable's Marketing Manager Jennifer Diamond with another attendee.
More happy Mashable Connect attendees.
Attendees were invited to a speed networking session to get know other attendees the first night.
You'd have two minutes to get to know the person sitting across from you.
At the end of the two minutes, attendees got up and slid to the right.
Second from left, Mashable U.S. and World Reporter Alex Fitzpatrick makes connections at speed networking.
Attendees were able to meet almost everyone during the session.
Mashable Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff listens during the speed networking session.
At the sound of the chime, it's time to change seats.
Mashable Community Manager Meghan Peters talks to another Mashable Connect attendee.
It's always important to start with the handshake.
A lone smartphone a picture of the Mashable Connect Thursday dinner.
Guests proceeded into the dinner room, where they would eat and listen to a keynote from Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore.
Mashable COO Sharon Feder addresses the Mashable Connect crowd with the help of Mickey Mouse.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore addresses the Thursday night crowd at Mashable Connect.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore addresses the Thursday night crowd at Mashable Connect.
The crowd listening to Pete Cashmore.
The entire Mashable staff in attendance gathers on stage with Pete Cashmore.
Some delicious looking dishes being served to Mashable Connect guests.
Mashable COO Sharon Feder laughing at Thursday's Mashable Connect Dinner.
Mashable founder and CEO Pete Cashmore enjoying Thursday's Mashable Connect Dinner.
Mashable U.S. and World Reporter Alex Fitzpatrick talks to another Mashable Connect attendee.
Mashable's CTO Robyn Peterson, Sales Director Adam Berberich and founder and CEO Pete Cashmore share a conversation at Thursday's dinner.
Mashable Senior VP of Communications Stacy Green addresses the crowd during dinner.
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