Without watching the video (TED talks are short, I know; my attention span is shorter), it seems Brown is correct about the overarching effect of new technologies: Foreign policy can never be the same again. But his named cause — instantaneous digital communication makes it necessary that the masses are heeded — is off the mark, as you point out. Tech only changes foreign policy by adding just a little more time and political pressure to situations.

Consider this: If a US senator complained on Twitter that we weren't doing enough talking with Russia, it would be news for a half-day. If that same senator held a traditional press conference (or met with leaders in private), s/he would have a lot more impact. And that's the same US senator. People like us, even en masse, don't have the power to pressure like a few powerful people do.

Without watching the video (TED talks are short, I know; my attention span is shorter), it seems Brown is correct about the overarching effect of new technologies: Foreign policy can never be the same again. But his named cause — instantaneous digital communication makes it necessary that the masses are heeded — is off the mark, as you point out. Tech only changes foreign policy by adding just a little more time and political pressure to situations.

Consider this: If a US senator complained on Twitter that we weren't doing enough talking with Russia, it would be news for a half-day. If that same senator held a traditional press conference (or met with leaders in private), s/he would have a lot more impact. And that's the same US senator. People like us, even en masse, don't have the power to pressure like a few powerful people do.