Bill Fitzgerald :: Blog :: Changing the world through MySpace

I read the following article (free registration may be required) in the LA Times. The article describes the protests in Los Angeles against the (free registration may be required) proposed changes in US immigration policy. One day of protests involved a walkout from school; the method of planning the walkout is described in the LA Times:

The protest staged by Muniz and two friends in Orange County was typical of the student leaders' efforts.

They had heard about the March 24 walkouts at several high schools in Los Angeles, and decided to launch a protest of their own. On Sunday afternoon, they posted a bulletin on MySpace — since discovered by school administrators, who were not pleased — announcing that anyone wishing to participate should stand up at the 8 a.m. tardy bell Monday and "meet in front of the school."

In the scattered, rapid-fire text typical of students' MySpace missives, the bulletin continued: "dOnt b scared…. All these politic officials are trying to make their dreams come true by destroying ours, AND THEY WILL, unless we do something about it!!"

On the Internet site, which serves as a free-of-charge, virtual gathering place, users can send bulletins to all of their MySpace "friends." The lists can include dozens of people and the bulletins can be passed along in seconds.

It didn't take long before most of Garden Grove High's roughly 2,200 students knew what was coming, without the knowledge or involvement of teachers or parents.

Could MySpace/Facebook/Friendster morph into community organizing tools? The rallies in LA indicate the potential for this shifting use. I wonder what other things could be organized using these tools?