By now it's happened in many parts of our troubled world. People have communicated using technology, whether it be messengers on smartphones or social networking sites, and then gathered in crowds to act on their thoughts and emotions -- sometimes for the good, and sometimes with devastating results. But hey, there were  no BlackBerry phones in 1848, and the French Revolution still happened and th e kings and queens still lost their heads.

Today, as riots in London spread to other cities, the preoccupation of authorities and so  much of the media seems to be with how Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry "triggered off" the anarchy. You mean nobody used land lines? And what about the modes of transport that we think of as progress? Didn't they play a facilitative role?

Give them a reason and crowds will find a way to gather. "This proves that social networking sites have a downside," says one publication.

Frankly, all this proves is that human beings have a downside! Human beings in power have a downside when they neglect smouldering discontent. Parents have a downside when they bring up children to think it's acceptable to steal and vandalize first for a laugh. People have a downside when they believe it's okay to do anything as long as their greed is satisfied. It's hard times that caused the riots. And alienation. Also possibly the way police forces behave with young people.  I saw someone on television describing the riots as the voice of the unheard. It could also be that it's just outright criminal activity.  Perhaps it's a whole set of reasons to blame.  Not BlackBerry, for heaven's sake.

As the world innovates and creates easier and easier ways of doing things,    invariably it becomes a victim of its own progress. Thats' the price we pay for the species we are. How else do we even have guns?

With the arson and looting spiraling out of control, there's talk of taking military action.  There's also attempts to get at the young  people who have been posting the shockingly informatory messages with their call to criminal action - and so they should. But get the same time it would do well to realize that technology will always be used for good - and for bad. It's time to address the real issues.

Mala Bhargava is a personal technology writer and media professional. Contact her at mala@pobox.com and @malabhargava on Twitter