SUMMARY of the Article “Brick in the Wall,” Muna Khan, Dawn, August 18th, 2024

The article reflects on the implications of techno-nationalism and the growing trend of governments using technology as a tool to control information and assert national identity. The writer recounts her experience from graduate school in 2016, where she was introduced to various social media platforms used in the US, which were perceived as primitive compared to China’s WeChat. The US, despite its claims of internet freedom, has a history rooted in using technology to keep perceived enemies out, starting with the creation of Arpanet by the US defense department in the 1960s to communicate securely amid fears of a Soviet attack. The article delves into how techno-nationalism, like the US blacklisting Huawei over spying concerns, serves national interests by influencing global power dynamics. China’s creation of the “Great Firewall” in 2000, which serves as a defense against foreign influence, is compared to Pakistan’s reported Rs30 billion firewall aimed at limiting foreign content and protecting national security. However, this firewall is seen as detrimental, isolating Pakistan from the global economy and causing significant financial losses, especially for the tech industry. The writer criticizes Pakistan’s version of techno-nationalism as “cringe” and counterproductive, warning that it prioritizes security over civil liberties and will likely harm the economy and civil rights. The » Read More…