internet - The power of the buyer

When the internet emerged, many thought - and some feared - it would signal the end of many authoritarian regimes. In that way the internet has proved to be much more a tool that is changing the world as we know it dramatically, but can be used in very different ways.
The CSMonitor illustrates how unexpected the use of the internet can be in China in this very telling story on what is called 'team buying'. In stead of democracy Chinese internet users use the internet to buy a cheaper washing machine. Now, it emerged in Guangzhou, but this might we a really big hit everywhere.