Never before has a population been gifted with such a powerful tool for social growth; and activists all over the world are beginning to realize the potential they hold in social media. The old excuse of “I’m just one person, what good could I do alone” no longer applies. The information technology available on the web has granted power to all individuals regardless of their financial standing and skills. Simply with Facebook and twitter the average person has greater reach and influence than ever.

Using social media Ron Paul has raised over 4 million dollars in public support within 24 hours for his 2008 presidential bid, and he has already raised millions more for the 2012 campaign. Social media was also instrumental in the Egyptian revolution which ousted dictator Hosni Mubarak; even after his attempt to kill the internet stream to his people. This is the power for social and political change we are beginning to realize is an organic result of a free and open internet.

AKORN Entertainment is a small and successful Santa Ana, California based film and video studio that recognizes the vital importance of a free internet, and is using social media to do what’s in their power to save it. That’s why Akorn is in production of a feature length documentary titled #killswitch to spread the word about this pressing topic. Director and Producer, Ali Akbarzedeh and Jeff Horn, are utilizing the power of their network to crowd-fund the project through a website called KickStarter.com. As the name implies, crowd-funding is a concept in which someone can pursue a creative endeavor, which is otherwise out of their financial reach, simply by appealing through this network. A quick browse through Kickstart’s site will reveal some shocking success stories. Lets make sure Akorn’s documentary is another one!

What Akorn seeks is $150,000 to create the most gripping and enlightening documentary possible on the subject. What they hope is that they will reach enough sympathetic ears through their social sphere, while offering some pretty enticing incentives to bring their project to fruition.

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Ali Akbarzedeh found his inspiration after witnessing the upheaval in Egypt that was followed by a complete shut down of the web, along with the Comcast/NBCU merger closer to home. It was Orwell’s 1984 in one hand and Huxley’s A Brave New World in the other.

In a press release AKORN Entertainment breaks down the issue of the day and the light they are going to shed:

“Just as the invention of the printing press ushered in the Enlightenment that tore down the tyrannical walls of the dark ages and that ignited democratic revolutions throughout the world, the internet currently provides the fuel for the revolutions in the Middle East, threatens to upend autocratic rule on a global scale, and awakens sleeping democracies.

But…what would happen if the democratic Internet as we know it, was instead controlled by a handful of Oligarchs? What if these same people had the power and authority to shut the Internet down at their whim and discretion?
Film Director Ali Akbarzadeh explores the real possibilities of this nightmare scenario in the highly anticipated, full length documentary ‘#killswitch.’

Akbarzadeh begins the film trailer with the 26 year old fruit vendor in Tunisia who by lighting himself on fire and inspired the nation to demand democracy. The narrative of this heroic act spread like wildfire throughout the Middle East and simply could not be contained. In an effort to seize control of his country, autocrat Hosni Mubarak shut down the Internet in Egypt. But the revolution was already in motion. The Internet belonged to and aided the people of Egypt, not their tyrant. Mubarak was forced out of power and the people of Egypt began building their democratic nation.

Akbarzadeh examines multiple issues including: the special relationship between Internet Service Providers and the United States Government; media consolidation; Julian Assange and WikiLeaks; and the revolving door between governments and big media. Lastly, Akbarzadeh proposes real solutions for those who want to ensure a free and democratic Internet into the the 21st century and beyond.”

The power of the free internet has shown it’s influence in the past. So if you find yourself to be concerned about the future of the internet, I hope you find your way to Kickstarter.com and the #killswitch documentary, and join the emerging internet activist by pledging a donation to this worthy project.

Infographic sources: *1, 2, 3, 4