Interesting thoughts, Leslie. I think we're really on the tip of the iceberg for social movements through social media sites. I think we're just getting past that point of "hey, that's cool" and starting to get to the "how can I really use this" phase. As people find innovative uses for voice, video, and content tools online, it'll be fascinating to watch how they get implemented and how the world as a whole gets influenced by them.
Naomi Hirabayashi
· 1 year ago
I'm so excited for this series Leslie! Immersed in the social media world, both professionally and personally I write about this a lot on my blog- recently for the CountMeIn application on facebook http://naomicanblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/count-.... Also Beth Kanter who has great, great ideas discussed the social media efforts around Gustav on her blog: http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2008/08/get-...
I'm so happy to see this switch in conversation, I hear so many arguments opposing social media due to superficial components. Social Media, like anything, is about the content and what the information is used for. If efforts, whether online or off are working towards positive social change- why does it matter which channel? At its root social media can be the purest form of grass roots activism- real people coming together for a cause.
Beth Kanter
· 1 year ago
Leslie,
Great post! Great idea for a series. This is topic near and dear to my heart and that I have been blogging about almost everyday since 2003.
I recently presented on this topic at Gnomedex about the various social networked fundraising campaigns I've run to raise over $200,0000 for Cambodian orphans. At Gnomedex, we did an experiment and raised $2,500 in 90 minutes.
I'd love to talk to you more about this, Beth. Drop me a line or DM me on Twitter (@geechee_girl)
Leslie Poston
lewis
· 1 year ago
leslie,
This looks like a great series. I got to meet Pete and the gang @ La mashable.
I also was fortunate to be at USC Anenberg's Online Community program in '06-07 to study w/ Cory Doctorow (http://uscpublicdiplomacy.com/index.php/events/...) and participate in MacArthur Digital Learning Initiative.
There exists a real, material tension between the open-source, social media framework (for simplicity call it 3.0) and the P2P, open-network, Access to Knowledge framework (4.0). Cory addresses the tension in his talk.
Basically, no one can deny the power of social media; it's wonderful when used like in the Gustav case.
But what about after the storm leaves? Our country is like 20th in digital infrastructure; our industrial infrastructure is crumbling (remember falling bridge anyone).
So what sacrifices are we willing to make in order to spread social media outside the creative class after the catastrophe is over?
Alex, aka SocialButterfly
· 1 year ago
Great post series idea as there is a large population of social media and social change evangelists. I saw that Beth Kanter already made a comment, but she is a huge role model and leader within this community that many of us look up to and greatly respect. I also encourage you to check out the changeblogger movement Britt Bravo, Qui Diaz and myself...and many others have been coordinating to show how social media-ites are using the technology and web to create social change. If you are in DC, we are having out first event on Oct. 15: www.changemakers.eventbrite.com
Using rapid and scalable trials with metrics we aim to aggregate and share findings across the world.
After reading your post I thought I should pose the questions: What is the net effect of our digital conversations and connections during Gustav? How can we show that people changed their behavior, hopefully to make better decisions, because of social media?
I've found two pages (www.doyoupoken.com and www.bloomenmail.com), that try to transfer social networking to real life and I am sure that there are more, because that is what people really want (although in real life not everything is so "twinkle").
All Comments
I'm so happy to see this switch in conversation, I hear so many arguments opposing social media due to superficial components. Social Media, like anything, is about the content and what the information is used for. If efforts, whether online or off are working towards positive social change- why does it matter which channel? At its root social media can be the purest form of grass roots activism- real people coming together for a cause.
Great post! Great idea for a series. This is topic near and dear to my heart and that I have been blogging about almost everyday since 2003.
I recently presented on this topic at Gnomedex about the various social networked fundraising campaigns I've run to raise over $200,0000 for Cambodian orphans. At Gnomedex, we did an experiment and raised $2,500 in 90 minutes.
More here:
http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2008/08/how-...
http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2008/08/trac...
Let me know if I can be a resource to you.
Leslie Poston
This looks like a great series. I got to meet Pete and the gang @ La mashable.
I also was fortunate to be at USC Anenberg's Online Community program in '06-07 to study w/ Cory Doctorow (http://uscpublicdiplomacy.com/index.php/events/...) and participate in MacArthur Digital Learning Initiative.
There exists a real, material tension between the open-source, social media framework (for simplicity call it 3.0) and the P2P, open-network, Access to Knowledge framework (4.0). Cory addresses the tension in his talk.
Basically, no one can deny the power of social media; it's wonderful when used like in the Gustav case.
But what about after the storm leaves? Our country is like 20th in digital infrastructure; our industrial infrastructure is crumbling (remember falling bridge anyone).
So what sacrifices are we willing to make in order to spread social media outside the creative class after the catastrophe is over?
Or, check out the Changeblogger wiki for more info: http://changebloggers.pbwiki.com/FrontPage
We all need a reality check after hours and hours in front of our screens developing and engaging in the Web 2.0 space.
Recently our lab taught a class on measuring peace innovation using Web 2.0 platforms: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2208...
Using rapid and scalable trials with metrics we aim to aggregate and share findings across the world.
After reading your post I thought I should pose the questions:
What is the net effect of our digital conversations and connections during Gustav? How can we show that people changed their behavior, hopefully to make better decisions, because of social media?
I address these questions here: http://www.techforpeace.org/?p=122
Look forward to more discussions and tangible action!
www.whywebpr.blogspot.com