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# After the Riots: Bans and Research linkage
- URL: https://onemanandhisblog.com/2011/08/after_the_riots_bans_and_research_linkag/
- Published: 2011-08-12T17:29:58.000Z
- Updated: 2015-04-28T12:54:05.000Z
- Author: Adam Tinworth

[![Peaceful Lee High Road, Lewisham](https://i2.wp.com/www.onemanandhisblog.com/content/images/2011/08/6031509881_ed895f704a1.jpg?resize=500%2C374 "Peaceful Lee High Road, Lewisham")](http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124385392@N01/6031509881?ref=onemanandhisblog.com "View 'Peaceful Lee High Road, Lewisham' on Flickr.com")

There’s lots I want to blog about in the aftermath of this week’s looting, but this is one of those times when a little reflection serves us better than rushing to share our ill-informed opinions with the world. Noted for my (and your) reference:

- [Are we talking to ourselves on Twitter](http://amyjgardner.com/2011/08/10/london-riots-are-we-talking-to-ourselves-on-twitter/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)? – self-reinforcing circles are a danger of social networks…
- [Taking back social streams](http://www.conversationagent.com/2011/08/taking-back-social-streams.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com) – we need to evolve away from merely commenting on the things we agree or disagree on and actually start conversing
- [9 ways to use Twitter responsibly](http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/aug/10/uk-riots-responsible-use-of-twitter?ref=onemanandhisblog.com) – it saddened me to see so many journos reacting to rumour with publicity rather than investigation – and yes, I’m looking at you [Fleet Street Fox](http://853blog.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/charlton-asda-how-a-lie-about-a-fire-even-fooled-the-guardian/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com).
- We had it bad at times in Lewisham; false rumours of race wars circulated, while Lee High Road was the tranquil sight you can see above. [Here’s how residents quashed the rumours](http://www.firstpost.com/world/london-riots-residents-use-twitter-to-rubbish-false-rumours-58282.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com).
- Now, the PM is proposing that the government gets the power to shut down social networks in times of emergency. Tory MP Louise Mensch [makes the comparison with train networks](http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-red-herring-of-the-day-social-media-is-like-a-train-station/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com).
- However, is it actually more like [an emergency broadcast system](http://www.andydickinson.net/2011/08/11/twitter-the-emergency-broadcast-system-and-the-journalist/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)?
- Or a [neutral force for social organisation](http://www.brightbeehive.com/blog/2011/8/10/social-media-good-or-evil-the-other-side-of-the-uk-riots.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)?
- [A summary of the debate so far.](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8697850/Louise-Mensch-MP-calls-for-Twitter-and-Facebook-blackout-during-riots.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

This one will run and run…