The revolution might be tweeted but the founding will not be: Arendt and innis on time, authority, and appearance

Abstract

This article examines political founding in an internet age. Drawing on Hannah Arendt and Harold Innis, the article considers the 2011 Egyptian revolution in light of three features of founding: The problems posed by beginning, authority, and appearance. It finds that death narratives, acceleration, and a personalized media dynamic complicated the Egyptian effort, but that new forms of visibility may prove promising.