Gossip or Social Philanthropic Expression?

Like it or not Social Media is now a part of our lives. Although Social media has existed for some time now (in Open-Source software environments this type of communication & collaboration has been used for more than 10-20 years), it has only recently evolved to a point where it is easily accessible and easy to use.

Recently, a conversation about the reasons & need for Social Media highlighted the reasonable belief that the tools of Facebook & Twitter were nothing more than places where people gossiped about each other and posted pointless babble about what one had for dinner. And Twitter was pointed out as the worst of all for inciting this type of behaviour.

This got me thinking about the value I have found in this tool. Since joining Twitter I have:

• Connected with key influencers, entrepreneurs & thought leaders
• Gained a clearer perspective on an individual or an organisations personality
• Had some insight into the thought processes of successful people
• Shared articles & opinion pieces relevant to topics I am passionate about
• Created or became part of tribes who share common interests
• Re-invigorated my social circle with interesting people
• Demonstrated my ethos, values & passions while carving my niche
• Participated in conversation & expressed my opinion

It is important to point out that I am aware I do most of the above points offline and I will continue to do so. Have I been able to achieve the points highlighted above on the same scale offline as I have online? Definitely not.

The main point, which keeps highlighting itself, is the benefit of mass collaboration, especially by connecting peoples ‘minds’ to strengthen the success of certain projects.

Documentaries such as UsNow discussing the power of mass collaboration, transparency & openness in politics/busness highlight the benefits. Or demonstrated examples of Kiva.org which provide micro-donation/micro-lending, collated from small amounts of money being donated by a large number of people. These loans are provided to people to start their business or to simply buy a cow to feed their village.

Andy Hobsbawm, the co-founder of Green Thing recently wrote in Reboot Britain essay:

There’s no doubt that the internet symbolises a potential global connectedness the like of which we’ve never seen. And this comes at a time when a challenge like climate change represents a global crisis the like of which we’ve never faced. The only way to tackle something that affects all of us is together, so some level of global consciousness is going to need to take place if mankind can defeat a problem of this scale.

So, do I think that Twitter and Facebook are the solution? NO

Do I believe that the tools which exist now, namely Facebook & Twitter, having brought this conversation into the mainstream, connecting people all over the world are an important step in this path to global collaboration? YES

Do I believe these communities & tribes will now start to create their own niches, will diversify, strengthen and empower those who are a part of them that to take action in areas of Environment/ Sustainability, Social Justice and Social Inclusion? YES

Yes, Social Media can be used for gossip, it is a tool that democratises and allows freedom of expression after all. However, it is up to the individual how they use and what they find.

I look forward to the continuing and evolving nature of these networks, new Social Media tools, their uses and the impact collaboration can make. After all, its not about the tool, its about how you use it!

How do you use your Social Media platforms?
What do you see is the future of Social media & community collaboration?

Why are we Liberal or Conservative?

The five moral values that form the basis of not only our political choices but why we behave the way we do.

Very interesting speech which explores the balance of the world. Great to watch when interested in Social Change.

Differing Opinions & when to let go…

Trying to persuade someone to share your view (which you of course know is right) is a challenging experience that most of us spend our lives perfecting whether we realise it or not. When is it time to agree to disagree?

I was a quiet, shy type growing up. I make up for this now and do enjoy discussing ‘hot topics’, like Climate Change and Social Justice, any where, any time.

I do also find it interesting, coming from a sales & marketing background, the amount of time and energy spent trying to convince someone to buy something they obviously don’t need or want.
After all, when would an Eskimo ever need more ice? That’s right, the ice caps are melting!

When analysing a situation and its possible support or buying potential, a group can be divided into 3 main sections:

• Those who care or agree
• Those who are disengaged & haven’t formed an opinion, and;
• Those who oppose, who are against the argument and can only see that perspective

Is it not worthwhile to focus our energy on those who agree and who have not formed an opinion? Create a movement, empower the first to parts of the group and only after this has happened, focus on those who oppose?

Let’s take the issue of Climate Change as an example:
In less than 2 months the most powerful people in the world will meet to agree on the details of the Copenhagen Treaty for global action on Climate Change.

It is clear that most people I discuss this with now agree that growing from 1 Billion to 6 billion people in just over 100 years is putting a major strain on the earth’s fragile ecosystem and, that this growth has been achieved through our use of oil and fossil fuels, which is causing irreversible damage to our atmosphere  - unless we do something, now.

This is where the ‘discussion’ heats up. The belief from some is that the government is more interested in filling their own pockets and increasing their control of people as opposed to focusing on a solution. Data from scientists explaining that climate change is a myth continues to appear and it is believed by these few that none of the vast amounts of research and data we have seen over the years is false or non existent.

After spending many hours trying to prove my point I realise it is time to agree to disagree or, as Dale Carnegie said in How To Win Friends and Influence People ‘When respect is shown for another’s opinion, more headway is made because no one’s pride is hurt”.

As for the Copenhagen Climate Change Global Treaty, I do believe that something on a global scale needs to be agreed upon to start any change. This should than include a change in our own behaviour and, the beginning of community collaboration on issues of sustainability and smart use of our planet’s resources.

What do you think? Will our governments stuff it up or is this the only way we can halt our slide into an creating an uninhabitable environment?

A new study out today has shown the Global Cooling study to be false:http://www.takepart.com/blog/2009/10/27/global-cooling-theory-shown-false-in-new-study/