On the point of the internet becoming a tool for increased control, with social networks opening us to government spying, Julian Assange seems to agree as outlined in a recent article in the Australian Herald Sun. The article is titled “Internet is world’s greatest spying machine and obstacle to free speech, says Assange”

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/internet-is-worlds-greatest-spying-machine-and-obstacle-to-free-speech-assange/story-e6frf7lf-1226022431231

One point that seems to escapes the authors is that the users of the net themselves might yet take control of the behemoth by establishing and co-owning their local networks, and making those local networks the center of activity, rather than an unimportant peripheral phenomenon. But that, of course, remains to be seen.