The Emerging Arab Whiz-Kids
By Abdulatif Al-Sayegh

It made use of to be that if you stated the term 'Arab world' to any type of Westerner, the initial point that would certainly stand out into their heads was oil, deserts and so forth. However taking a look at present occasions, the word 'Arab' is identified with transformation. Yet the bright side is that I see a silver lining to this dark cloud: I assume after the dirt has actually settled, words 'Arab' will end up being inextricably associated with young pioneers or 'whiz-kids', imaginative and very savvy in exactly how they utilize social networks to positively re-shape the world. A similarly innovative and ambitious young generation lagged the boom of the Silicon Valley in the United States, which brought to life today's hi-tech giants like Google. So are we experiencing our own world-changing development?

If you don't think me, then you're not alone: 3 years ago I delivered a speech at the Dubai Media Forum regarding just how digital and social media will properly take over traditional media within a couple of years. The reaction was deafening. I was criticized by numerous paper Editors-in-Chief and TELEVISION heads. The major bone that they needed to select with me was that I had risked to state, suggest, hint or perhaps indicate that the large traditional media would not always stay the heavyweight. I could recognize why some individuals might be hesitant. Nevertheless, the creation of TV did not instantly result in the death of the paper industry, neither did the internet automatically become the undertaker for the TV industry. Nonetheless it must be born in mind that standard media was placing food on these media managers' plates, and therefore their arguments were not specifically unbiased.

Today's events have actually vindicated my forecast. The power of social media sites is now undisputed and any type of business or government overlooks it at their very own risk. Furthermore, the increasing spiritual and political effects of 'New Age' media have increased its rise. Every media company worth its salt must value that digital media is not just some Sci-fi concept for the future, but today. It's not tomorrow's opportunity, yet today's truth.

Media techniques need to currently shift 180 degrees, or else a media "protest" might erupt if there typically aren't enough viewers, audiences or listeners. From an advertising perspective, there is currently irrefutable proof that marketeers have invested astronomical quantities of money on typical media compared to social and digital media, but with a lot more damaging results.

Any person who when believed the Arab world was too conservative or stringent to create creative skills, has been shown utterly incorrect. In Tunisia, Egypt and Libya the young trendsetters stunned the world. When they were slapped with impossible time limits, ruthless army clampdowns and determined internet closures, they still stunned us by leapfrogging all those challenges with their video clips, sounds, speeches, placard boards, graffiti, caricature and much more ingenious methods.

I see the existing "Arab Change" as a lot more than just mass objections. I see it as an enormous online "advert" to the world: showcasing that in some areas the Arab world's young innovative geniuses prepare to lead the earth if only given the chance.

Source: http://www.alsayeghmedia.com/blog/thread/the_emerging_arab_whiz_kids/104