So, Gordon Brown gave a talk at TED Global that argues that “foreign policy can never be the same again” because instantaneous digital communication makes it necessary that the masses are heeded. It’s nice to see someone in his position aware and passionate about technology’s ability to change the world for the better, but I think he falls prey to the over-optimism that too often shapes these discussions.

Take a look at some of his examples in the above video:

• #IranElection Twitter activity and #Neda [yet, Ahmadinejad was just sworn in]
• The Saffron Revolution in Burma [yet, the Junta remains in power]
• The Ethiopian and Sudanese children dying during famine [yet, poverty remains rampant in the African horn]
• Tienanmen Square tank man [yet, China is now even more powerful and far from democratic]

Now, to be fair, PM Brown’s real call was for a truly global society built on solid institutions, but his focus on media and technology distracts from the real power structures that are far more resilient than, say, the voting of American Idol, where text messaging actually does matter.

Remember, the two Current.tv journalists weren’t released because of Twitter activity. It took some high-power diplomacy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCermULRk-I]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrbiIWD_CxI]

As I’ve spent my summer back in the American Midwest, I’ve been frustrated by the seeming distance – geographic and culturally – from the areas in which I’m interested. The developing world’s richness is lost in sterile non-fiction accounts and Chris Abani reminded me that “If you want to know about Africa, read our literature. And not just ‘Things Fall Apart’- that’s like reading ‘Gone With the Wind’ and thinking you know all about America.” Of course! I realized that the cultural understanding I’ve been flirting with in a number of posts, can be found in fiction. I feared, however, that I didn’t know where to start.

Luckily, Chris is easily reachable via email and responded to my inquiry for African book recommendations with the following list:

1. Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun both by Chimamanda Adichie
2. Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala
3. The Beautiful Ones Are Not yet Born – Ayi Kwe Armah
4. A Question of Power – Bessie Head
5. Butterflies Burning – Yvonne Vera
6. The Sand Child – Tahar Ben Jelloun
7. Waiting for an Angel – Helon Habila

If you have any other recommendations, leave them in the comments. But, regardless, do yourself a favor and watch his talks.