reflection

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the de-evolution of community, relationships and the currency of quality

on March 29, 2009 · 1 Comment

I was incredibly humbled and inspired by Doyle’s recent comment regarding my declaration of setting digital boundaries: You are working at the edges of a lot of this stuff, and your experiences, reflections, and wisdom is very important to share. The currency of human relationship is really evolving here. Its possible to know a gazillion [...]

I was incredibly humbled and inspired by Doyle’s recent comment regarding my declaration of setting digital boundaries:

You are working at the edges of a lot of this stuff, and your experiences, reflections, and wisdom is very important to share. The currency of human relationship is really evolving here. Its possible to know a gazillion people online, but how does this impact our truest sense of community and our deeper desires for authentic connections and real relationships. I would love for you to say more about why you chose to do this now in this way, and your observations of what has changed for you since making this shift.

There are several pieces to which I wanted to publicly respond, starting with the statement, “the currency of human relationship is really evolving.” Human relationships are evolving. The greatest question that arises is how do we define the currency of human relationships: is it reflected in the quantity of those relationships or is it found in the quality. Right now it would appear that quantity is the preferred currency with individuals being judged by the number of connections via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

If quantity is becoming the universal measure, or currency, then we may in fact be looking at the de-evolution of human relationships. To me quantity of online relationships alone is shallow and hollow. It lacks the substance critical to a sustaining relationship. It forgoes true community and lacks authenticity. Though this is largely an argument based on perception it does in fact resonate with the way most of us approach our physical relationships, but not always synonymous with our digital ones.

The evolution of community, relationship and communication lies in quality. It’s about the blending of technology and fundamental community/relationship building. The web, and our online connections (ten or ten thousand), aid us in achieving impact of that quality, whether personal, mission or business centric. All of which are therein rooted in an association with a community that can be represented in something as simplistic as an online community/website (such as Etsy) or a brick and mortar institution like the Berkman Center. By the nature of our online habits, many of us are associated with communities even if we don’t recognize or vocally associate with that community.

I chose to define my personal online presence to live what I believe. I was being spread way to thin across the web and all incarnations of my relationships were feeling the strain. Concentration of my efforts and connections to my more intimate relationships can in fact have a far greater impact. I think this is key. Concentration of intention – the ripple will be huge. This is where I love the web, it enables the ripple to be manifested in a wide range of mediums, inclusive of both digital and physical means.

Doyle asked me about my observations, “what has changed for you since making this shift.” Personally, I feel lighter. I’m able to take the time to process and refocus my attention and energy. Professionally, I feel refreshed. I’m able to further develop an understanding of what’s needed in order to achieve the goals of both the organization I strive to support and the community I work to nurture.

Intellectually, I feel calm. I’m able to observe and digest the sociological shift in a way that focuses in on the foundation of such a technological revolution. Too soon do we forget that it’s about mindful, intentional and quality implementation of technology – and that community and authentic relationships require nurturing beyond the paradoxical limitations of the internet.

setting digital boundaries and carving a space to breathe

on March 24, 2009 · 4 Comments

Balance. Pure and simple is something that I not only crave on daily basis, but strive to achieve. Am I always successful? Of course not. I work full-time, attend graduate school part-time, am a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I’m an advocate for digital literacy, a seeker of infinite information, a lover of art [...]

Balance.

Pure and simple is something that I not only crave on daily basis, but strive to achieve. Am I always successful? Of course not. I work full-time, attend graduate school part-time, am a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I’m an advocate for digital literacy, a seeker of infinite information, a lover of art and music (oh, and let’s not forget food and wine). However, the day does not simply allow for mindful, intentional implementation of all of the above. It’s hard enough to squeeze it all into a month.

The internet, the web, social media, technology, new technology, web 2.0, whatever you call it, is the conduit for my true passion: communication, collaboration, access to information and an ability to share stories, experiences and knowledge on a global scale. That’s truly what I love about the internet.

I’m finding it all becoming way to intermixed – my personal, professional and academic lives, my purchasing behavior and my constant knowledge consumption. To some, this is the point and opportunity within the context of the web. I don’t want to be an opportunity. I want to present opportunities to others, be attentive to those around me, the missions I hold dear and the stories I wish to share – perhaps all in the altruistic hope of changing the world.

To do this, I’m setting boundaries – digital ones.

Facebook will be for my personal relationships of fairly direct connection. Twitter, that’s still to be determined. LinkedIn, is the place to continue to connect with me as is my blog. My blog was the space that first spoke to me and this is where I return. The increasing constraint of character restrictions is not me. Anyone who knows me knows this and knows the my thoughts are far too verbose.

The question that lies is my profession and career aspirations involve the web and it’s infinite platforms. Am I less knowledgeable of the web, social media or technology, because I’m no longer juggling 100+ social networks at a time. No, in fact, it’s just the opposite. Expect more from me, so much more, because that’s the point of establishing boundaries. There will be more of me, my true self, to go around. I’m carving out a space to breathe, think about it, when’s the last time to carved out space of your own to reassess, re-energize and to simply be.

how much is too much, what’s your personal quota

on December 10, 2008 · No Comments

In recent conversations, the question of how much is too much keeps finding it’s way into the discussion. Everyday I go through a routine of logging into Facebook, firing up Pandora, checking my blog stats, visiting LinkedIn, sifting through my RSS feeds, updating my Twitter, all while sipping coffee, checking my email and outlining my [...]

As I noted in a previous post (space: public v. private), I’m not only juggling my online presence and relationships, but also my physical ones. I’m trying to wrap up the semester, check in with my mother about various holiday related items, squeeze in coffee with a friend and have dinner with my husband.

For me, intentionally is key in all of my relationships, virtual or other, which means at some point I’m going to reach my personal quota and will be forced to reassess. This is what I’m doing now, and this is what more and more folks will do as new online opportunities and social engagements fight for their attention. As a consumer, participant and human how do we decide what activities are important to us? As a organization, website or producer how do we ensure that our objective provides the most value, community and experience that it’s worth spending what little time we have?

Seth Godin perhaps sums it up best:

The internet isn’t full, but we are.

the tribune co., what’s next for the economy and the news business

on December 9, 2008 · No Comments

I know, I know. I wasn’t going write, or even be online, this week. However, I’m not really writing anything, just spotlighting this morning’s piece on NPR. The economy was already hard to ignore, but now the recent filing of the Tribune Company makes it impossible to ignore. We’re not only talking economically, but traditional [...]

I know, I know. I wasn’t going write, or even be online, this week. However, I’m not really writing anything, just spotlighting this morning’s piece on NPR.

The economy was already hard to ignore, but now the recent filing of the Tribune Company makes it impossible to ignore. We’re not only talking economically, but traditional methods of news telling, sharing and distributing are on the cusp of major change. The models and business structures aren’t working and society is shifting. It’s a good time to ask yourself the following: how do you get your news, what form do you want that news to take and what content do you want that news to be comprised of? More soon.

Debt Forces Tribune Co. To File Bankruptcy
by David Folkenflik
Listen Now [3 min 57 sec] add to playlist

Morning Edition, December 9, 2008 · Tribune Co. which owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and other dailies has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The conglomerate also owns TV stations, the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. It’s been crushed by a drop in advertising and $13 billion in debt (courtesy of NPR).

how do you define literacy

on November 24, 2008 · No Comments

Now, how do you define “media literacy?” The definition, and our associated opinions, no doubt vary widely, based on our own experiences, knowledge and prejudices: Specifically what kind of literacy is being measured? Let’s see the effect on SAT reading and writing scores. Let’s see book sales data demographically. On the one hand, I believe [...]

Now, how do you define “media literacy?”

The definition, and our associated opinions, no doubt vary widely, based on our own experiences, knowledge and prejudices:

Specifically what kind of literacy is being measured? Let’s see the effect on SAT reading and writing scores. Let’s see book sales data demographically.

On the one hand, I believe distractions were always an issue, and the internet has shifted, rather than created them. But on the other, to say it is a benefit, well let’s just see who the sponsors of this study were. It may be a little bit like the medical studies spouting the benefits of chocolate that were found to be funded by Hershey’s and the like.

— Dennis L, New York City (courtesy of NYT community comments)

There is a major disconnect occurring between those who understand the value of the web, media literacy and the future of technology; and those who don’t. This is clearly depicted by the comments made in response to the recent NYT article, Teenagers’ Internet Socializing Not a Bad Thing.

For those of us who are informed, we have a responsibility to aid in the guidance of youth as they navigate the array of skills they are accumulating, but who’s going to guide the adults?

And better yet, how? Media literacy curriculum for parents is dramatically different then media literacy for kids, and education for scholars and corporations are other potentially independent categories. In order to cultivate understanding we must encourage this ever-increasing group of digital natives to think critically and participate mindfully, but that only gets us halfway there; we need to equally allocate literacy among a much broader, and feasibly more challenging, group of constituents.

For more of the community comments, click here.

space: public v. private

on November 21, 2008 · 1 Comment

How do you define [your] space – public v. private, physical v. virtual? This is something that I’m continually pondering as I reassess my involvement in various physical and virtual communities. There is only so much time in a day, and I strive to ensure that my participation is intentional and focused. There are public and private components to both physical and virtual arenas, but it is sometimes easier to define public and private spaces within the physical world as opposed to virtual ones, or at least for me.

Take Facebook, in some ways it is very easy to control how I navigate within this space – I control who I friend, which requests I accept and the options that are selected for the account. However, I am aware of my responsibility as a participant and am mindful of how I want to be perceived within the space. Though it should be noted that I am slightly more aware of my online rights and responsibilities then most.

Like the physical divvying of space, the virtual definition of space should ultimately be left in the hands of the participant, but this is not always the case, as certain sites predefine or default these decisions. Ultimately the question that remains is, how do you make the case for, and enhance, digital literacy to ensure folks are not only educated, but empowered to control their virtual participation with the same thoughtfulness that they impart on their physical lives each and everyday?

muted excitement

on April 17, 2008 · No Comments

For the first time in quite a while I received a notification that a comment had been left on my blog. The excitement was surprising. I experienced a twitter of butterflies as I went to see who had commented – but alas, it was nothing, but spam pertaining to some male enhancement or another. Not [...]

What happened? As with most relationships there’s a transition when one member of the relationship changes – the other is left trying to reconnect the dots with their lost companion whether literally or figuratively. I’m presently in the process of doing just that – connecting the dots – but it has proven to be a bit more challenging then when I was in kindergarten. The dots are more complex in form and trying to figure out what connects to what is an exercise in and of itself.

But progress is being made. I’ve realized, which dots are absent. My soul has been craving creativity, which has repeatedly been stifled for one reason or another. Music is back. Hearing a song or artist for the very first time is indescribable. I’m relishing in simple moments. So my relationship with blogging is changing. It’s not solely about the external movements occurring out within society, but rather exploring the internal shifts within myself as I move through that ever present and changing society.

Where do I go from? That’s to be continued…