Internet is the main breeding ground for extremism

[martyh]

The Internet has become the most significant vehicle in promoting extremism, according to a report released by the Home Affairs Committee.
The report says the Internet has become a "fertile breeding ground" for terror and is more involved in radicalisation than prisons, universities or places of worship.

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16163805

http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16163975

http://www.parliament.uk/business/co...t-publication/

This report finds that there is no typical profile to becoming radicalised and it also implies that radicalisation is on the decline amongst the Muslim community but it seems to suggest that far right radicalisation and extremism is on the increase which is quite worrying

Thoughts ?

[Maggy J]

What do the denizens of Twitter think I wonder...

[Damien]

The Internet has always been a popular tool amongst extremists, especially right-wing hate groups. Long before 9/11 there were white power groups who had exploited the Internet's potential to bring like-minded people together.

The interesting question is why the rise in right wing extremism? It's too far after the 9/11 aftermath to be related to radical Islam. I would guess it's linked to the economy. The thing to remember about these groups is they tend to subscribe to the 'New World Order' conspiracies which postulate the existence of a shadowily cabal who pull the strings around the world; installing governments, starting wars, managing corporations etc. The current environment is ripe for a resurgence of that conspiracy.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Damien

The Internet has always been a popular tool amongst extremists, especially right-wing hate groups. Long before 9/11 there were white power groups who had exploited the Internet's potential to bring like-minded people together.

Do you think that these type of people/groups have been overlooked because of the press hype over Muslim extremism ?.I would say they have and i would also say they can be just as dangerous

[nomadking]

Wouldn't the main reason for looking for extremist material in the first place, be because they are already of an extremist disposition?

[Damien]

Originally Posted by martyh

Do you think that these type of people/groups have been overlooked because of the press hype over Muslim extremism ?.I would say they have and i would also say they can be just as dangerous

Probably an element of that. These groups did exist prior to 9/11. I also think the current economic situation has lead to a resurgence in extreme right wing groups however.

---------- Post added at 22:24 ---------- Previous post was at 22:23 ----------

Originally Posted by nomadking

Wouldn't the main reason for looking for extremist material in the first place, be because they are already of an extremist disposition?

Not if they stumbled across that world whilst looking for other things, i.e New World Order conspiracies.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by nomadking

Wouldn't the main reason for looking for extremist material in the first place, be because they are already of an extremist disposition?

I suppose that does happen but it can also happen accidently through sites such as Twitter as evidenced quite nicely on this site recently and from then anyone having even the slightest appreciation for those type of views can get hooked

---------- Post added at 22:32 ---------- Previous post was at 22:28 ----------

Originally Posted by Damien

Probably an element of that. These groups did exist prior to 9/11. I also think the current economic situation has lead to a resurgence in extreme right wing groups however.

That is what i think ,and i think there is a direct link to economic problems and right wing extremism ,as far as i remember from history that's one of the reasons how Hitler came to power ,the ultimate right wing extremist

[Tim Deegan]

Some of us have seen examples from one member of these forums, who has some very worrying posts on Twitter.

I'm not going to mention any names, but some will know who I am talking about.

[Maggy J]

To be honest I see a lot of extreme views expressed on CF from the Right,Left and Centre..
People allow their true opinions out under the anonymity of the internet in a way they may not in their RL.Perhaps we should bear that in mind when reading this article..

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

To be honest I see a lot of extreme views expressed on CF from the Right,Left and Centre..
People allow their true opinions out under the anonymity of the internet in a way they may not in their RL.Perhaps we should bear that in mind when reading this article..

That's true and it does raise the question of when do extremist views become acceptible and what society agrees with ,or the majority at least

[Tim Deegan]

Originally Posted by martyh

That's true and it does raise the question of when do extremist views become acceptible and what society agrees with ,or the majority at least

My personal view is that they become unacceptable when they incite others to break the law, harm others, or damage property.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

My personal view is that they become unacceptable when they incite others to break the law, harm others, or damage property.

I was watching my local news last night, and the board who investigated the recent riots said that they think it will happen all over again.

that could be seen as incitement.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Gary L

I was watching my local news last night, and the board who investigated the recent riots said that they think it will happen all over again.

that could be seen as incitement.

Expressing the opinion that something may/will happen isn't quite the same as trying to persuade others to make it happen.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Osem

Expressing the opinion that something may/will happen isn't quite the same as trying to persuade others to make it happen.

Gary's got a hankering for riots and revolution

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Osem

Expressing the opinion that something may/will happen isn't quite the same as trying to persuade others to make it happen.

Oh well.