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The inspiration for this blog article came mostly from another article, by Clay Shirky - see my Tumblr account here (reason being the link is not direct, is that you have to log in and I wanted to save you the drama). It's a long article (his not mine), but phenomenally good - I hope you enjoy it.
You may also enjoy this short and engaging documentary Us Now -A (UK) film project about the power of mass collaboration, government and the internet
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There is a real danger when talking about the internet that you over-blow it's potential, it's a phenomenal resource - a resource being exactly what it is - a supply that can be used when needed. Hyperbole about it's potential? That depends on what you want to use it for.
Let's stop and think about what it is for one minute; the common assumption is that the internet is 'virtual', something that exists in the ether. I would argue this is wrong, it's very real, tangible, and the chances are your touching it right now. The internet is quite simply, like society itself, the sum of its parts - it's the keyboards, the screens, the wires, the people... the world over.
The internet is a network; the etymology of the word internet is a shortened version of "inter" + "network", inter meaning "reciprocal, between, amongst" and network meaning "a collection of systems or people". It is the latter term in the definition of network that will be the focus of this blog - people.
My thoughts this week have been orientating around two things - firstly, collaborative consumption and secondly, micro-volunteering and micro-donations - both with a view to achieving some measure of social change.
There are many examples of both - collaborative consumption can be illustrated by sites such as ecomodo, micro-volunteering by sites like wikipedia and micro-donations by sites like pennies.
All of these are examples of collective action.
Together, we can achieve more - the internet as a network (or technology if you prefer) - is two things. It combines the mass media element of radio and television with the interactive element of the telephone, which itself creates a whole new mass medium of interaction. The internet, and more specifically social media, represent a historical zenith in the communicative power of individuals.
Take your mobile phone as an example - hold it in your hand for a minute and think of all the ways you can contact people, your network - assuming you have a smart phone it could be any number of the following ways, probably more: Facebook, Twitter, SMS, Skype, Email... or an actual phone call (how about that?)
Now, imagine that same conversation ten years ago... get your phone out of your pocket (if you have one) you could call someone, maybe even text them? New vehicles of communication have emerged as the internet has accelerated in its capacity, speed and availability (or access) - and in turn, has increased the potential of people to communicate and collaborate.
With those last three attributes in mind (increased capacity, speed and availability - access) this is where the local has the capacity -and potential - to become the global. The personal the public.
The way the internet is developing it is essential to understand that communication is paramount to unlocking its collaborative power. The emerging political economy of cyberspace (the medium through which online communication takes place) is one deeply rooted in sharing - with an adherent belief in transparency. The internet makes conversation, causes and lives visible.
It is here therefore, that the potential of social media lies, in making conversation, causes and lives visible and its resultant potential for supporting civil society and the public sphere. Ultimately, it is in the public sphere that social change occurs.
This is not to say that the use of social media has a predetermined outcome, but it is to say that it can be used to coordinate and mobilize ideas and people. It is not simply access to social media that changes lives, governments and association - it is access to the conversations that they create - a shared awareness. Public secrets become open truths.
Social media is not a replacement for real life action, it is a means of coordinating it. The access, the speed and the increasingly ubiquitous nature of the technology that facilitate sharing via social networking mediums has had an egalitarian effect, unparalleled in human history. Something happening 10,000 miles away can be beamed, literally, into your living room, as it happens. This might sound like a dystopian nightmare but it's driving the (increasingly global) desire for transparency and accountability.
The internet has made it possible for people to tell others about anything and everything - instantly! The consequences are unfolding all around us. And therein lies the story - we should harness this potential to share ideas and make things visible to develop responsible and appropriate social changes; to communicate and collaborate towards any number of selective ends.
Sounds obvious, right?
Well, sometimes you need to be told... sometimes you need to tell other people.
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