Interesting theory. I suppose sort of like how hippies were a fraction of the population, yet have come to represent the time?

or beatniks, or ravers, or punk rockers, or flappers...

Well put, although I do not instantly think of goths when I think of the 90's (ravers yes, to some extent), so I suppose only time will show us what the standout style of the decade is/was.

I do think the recession will be the marker for the change into whatever the next "decade" will be (eg: whatever we'll remember the 20-teens for)

I am not saying that the flow is 100% in one direction. That would be nonsensical. I'm saying the direction of influence is predominantly in one direction.

And Twitter has not driven the Iranian protests, though it is certainly a popular idea among Twitterers.

Would you say it's been a significant organizing force?

It hasn't driven it, but it did facilitate it.

According to most of the people I've seen interviewed about it actually in Iran? No.

But I'm sure that it played some role.

It certainly played a role (for better or for worse) in worldwide reaction.

No argument there.

I believe it was only the first day or so where twitter made a big difference. The gov't had shut down all hardwire internet access in an attempt to smother organization and transfer of video/photos, but cell service was still up.

Since then I heard that they turn off all internet service (including on phones) from 4pm until the morning. I don't know if this is still happening.