Paradigm Shifts and Political Revolutions

I have been reading this fascinating book by Thomas Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions - considered one of the 100 most influential books since the second world war.

Kuhn's basic premise is to sketch a theory upon which revolutions (in this case, scientific) take place and how the paradigm otherwise known as normal science can be altered under certain circumstances giving way to a new paradigm (or a change in worldview).

Now most of Kuhn's examples are predominantly scientific; his ideas however, echo far and wide into other spheres of social activity.

In Singapore, recent cases of bloggers getting into trouble with the Government are indicative of certain tensions at work. While I wouldn't jump the gun by overplaying the significance and relevance of bloggers (however much I would like to), clearly the blogosphere (particularly political bloggers) are an anomaly of sorts - as far as the challenge to normal science (otherwise known as the political status quo) is concerned.

Why is this so?

Several reasons:-

1. Ease of setting up blogs (now anyone with Internet access can set up a blog within 10 minutes). As such, the potential for civic and political participation is increased - at least quantitatively.

2. Network phenomena of blogs. Bloggers with common interest can bunch together and form e-communities. Among some of the renowned ones in Singapore include www.singabloodypore.blogspot.com and www.singaporeangle.com.

3. Ability of bloggers to identify and frame breaking news. Now this may not be so common in SIngapore, as the size and scope of local news renders the blogosphere little comparative advantages. Nevertheless, recent examples have indicated that bloggers here may not be that impotent (think: Yawning Bread's GE2006 Workers' Party rally pics)

4. Communication of personality. Well, this is something I would really hope our political leaders (read: PAP folks) can start tapping upon. So far, the men-in-white have seemed to adopt a rather adverse reponse towards new media, preferring to rely on traditional print and broadcast media to communicate their personalities (and that, only in rare instances) thus creating an impression of bureaucratic aloofness.

5. Ability of blogs to foster a community of writers. Unlike newspaper pieces (where the journalist is perceived to be writing for an organization), the primary relationship [in blogs] is always with respect to the writer. No surprise then that the recent suspension of Mr Brown was met with much criticism from hundreds (and possibly thousands) of bloggers.

Which brings me back to my original point.

As Kuhn argues, "the sense of malfunction that can lead to crisis is prerequsite to revolution". Now, a term like revolution is extremely loaded (if one uses the history of the 20th century as a basis for comparison); however, what Kuhn suggests isn't of the guns and gut spilling sort.

Instead, he argues that when such revolutions (or paradigm shifts) take place, a shift in worldview happens. In his words, "What were ducks in the scientist's world before the revolution are rabbits afterwards".

Now, within the blogosphere, this seems to be happening (or maybe it's just a figment of my imagination). Nevertheless, if my hunch is correct, then how the authorities here deal with bloggers (and their propagated ideas) will be an indication of how Singapore is perceived within the greater international community. Ducks and rabbits may be trivial stuff to begin with, but insisting that rabbits are ducks when the rest of the world thinks otherwise may be a triviality carried too far - especially if the joke's on us.