Beyond preaching to the choir

Thank you all. I have learned a lot in the past few days from all of you. I'm also very happy to see everyone's passionate involvement in the latest MJ fiasco.

First, I support Mehdi's decision not to speak with BBC. Actually, my recommendation would be not to waste time with the "media" at all. They don't want to arrive at the truth or offer any kind of expertise. All they want is conflict and to promote confusion. Anyone can claim anything and they will distribute it in the name of "nutrality". So forget 'em.

Second, we are preaching to the choir (another). Those who are online and definitely on this Blog already knows MJ's lies. So we have to think of non-users, non-techies and future-users.

Three, sometimes the best defense is a good offense. We have to simplify our message to be less about technical issues and more about what everybody can relate to, mainly money. So let's begin where he began which is with the National ID card project. We have to make it clear to everyone that it's not about intellectual property or patent violations, it's simply about money to him. Instead of making BDT 5000 per computer for the project making crores for him, it was done for free. Luckily the CTG was in power then, perhaps it would have been another matter if AW was in term. Guess we'll never find out.

Four, let's go beyond the Blogosphere. Let's think about organizing public meetings to make the public aware. How about organizing walk-out's of any public seminars/conferences MJ participates in? Or any other method you can think of.

Five, let's use this opportunity to advance the cause of Digital Bangladesh. I think that the development of this single sector will address many of our problems all at once, from education, poverty reduction, remittance, traffic, governmental services, youth entrepreneurship, etc. etc. etc.

See you at the next protest!!!

Shumon Jahan