Vyacheslav Dianov: I believe in the revolution through social networks

American magazine TIME named a person of the year 2011. This is an abstract protester from the "Arab Spring" to the actions "Occupy Wall Street" and "Revolution through Social Network".

"Everywhere, it seems, people said they'd had enough", - writes the editor Rick Stengel. "They dissented; they demanded; they did not despair, even when the answers came back in a cloud of tear gas or a hail of bullets. They literally embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective, colossal change".

For the first time in many years, Belarus found itself in the world trend. Summer silent protest actions have managed to paint a sad Belarusian political landscape. As in the whole world from USA to Tunis, from Egypt to Russia, silent protests were coordinated through social networks and organized not by traditional political actors: political parties and social movements, but by ordinary people. By young Belarusians, who could not look with indifference on the deteriorating situation in their country.

UDF.BY talked to one of the RTSN's coordinators Vyacheslav Dianov, and learnt whether he feels himself as a person of the year, and believes in a conquering power of Facebook and whether the "Belarusian Spring" is to thunder in 2012.

- "Arab Spring", silent protests in Belarus, the movement "Occupy Wall Street" in the U.S... Is there something common in all these events?

- In fact, all these protests unites only one thing: a major part in their organization have played social networks. Everyday an information is becoming more and more increased in its volume and is spreading rapidly. Accordingly, politics is becoming more dynamic.

- Do you think, the future is in such an extra-systemic, spontaneous protest, coordinated through Facebook and Twitter, or traditional political institutions will be able to add them to one's armoury, and again will become the main protest force?

- I believe in social networks and I'm confident, that through them you can organize more complex forms of protests, rather than general leading out on streets. I think, the future is in new technologies: new political forces will occur, but the old ones will remain, too. However, only those will survive, who can intern in a new system of working with an electorate.

- Do you see any of the Belarusian opposition's movements in this direction?

- I don't see. The desire is there, but only in a format, how to "get" something from this, and only for one-time. For example, how increase a number of people at the event. No one thinks strategically.

- Why? There is not enough understanding of the topic's importance, lack of professionals, or it's just laziness and a habit to lose?

- I think, the question is in understanding mechanisms. This is harder, than it seems at first glance. Administrator of an opposition group in Vkontakte is difficult to understand the logic of opposition leader and vice versa. Anyway, usually they're people from different generations and with different understanding of technologies and methods of struggle. I think, understanding can only come from experience, it is necessary, as they say, to act by trial-and-error method, and in order to do this, you have to work.

- What are the plans of RTSN for the end of December and for 2012?

- Concerning the plans, there are no comments so far. I can say, there is a new concept, which is now being finalized. Now it is preparatory work. As soon as an active public activity starts, apparently it will become noticeable. Concerning the terms, unfortunately, I cannot say anything, because of the work's specifics.