Egypt's apparent blocking of Twitter and Facebook amid fierce protests this week was nothing: Now it appears they've blocked the entire internet, as well as text messaging. It's got the whole world watching and wondering: What's next?

The move comes in advance of another round of planned protests tomorrow, and as dramatic video of a teenage protester being shot and killed by police shows the rest of the world what's at stake. For a great look at how protesters are—er, were—using social media, check out this post by Harvard Internet researcher Jillian C. York. And for technical details as to how turning off the Internet for an entire country works, try this post from Renesys.

Sort of weird that repressive regimes think blocking the Internet can quell protest. In America, unlimited porn and YouTube videos of cats are the only thing keeping the population calm.

[Photo via AP]