Currently viewing the category: "social change"

addendum to ling/lee post

on April 5, 2009 · No Comments

Earlier this week I asked why we were not talking about Laura Ling and Euna Lee; two American journalists detained in North Korea. At the time, it appeared that Current was eliminating any recognition of the situation. This may no longer be the case. A recent tweet made it’s way to News//Current that may make [...]

Earlier this week I asked why we were not talking about Laura Ling and Euna Lee; two American journalists detained in North Korea. At the time, it appeared that Current was eliminating any recognition of the situation. This may no longer be the case. A recent tweet made it’s way to News//Current that may make such a claim null and void. Granted there was never a response, but the tweet as of this morning was still up.

 

sassy, chic – and sustainable

on March 31, 2009 · No Comments

For those of you who know me, know of my full on crush with sustainable fashion, colorful items and flowy finds. Needless to say my day was totally made when I stumbled upon, {labudde} during my ongoing quest to create a socially conscious, and cute, wardrobe (thank goodness for Etsy). [Photo from {labudde} via Etsy] [...]

For those of you who know me, know of my full on crush with sustainable fashion, colorful items and flowy finds. Needless to say my day was totally made when I stumbled upon, {labudde} during my ongoing quest to create a socially conscious, and cute, wardrobe (thank goodness for Etsy).

[Photo from {labudde} via Etsy]

I strive to make sustainable clothing and accessories in a number of ways. I work with eco friendly and natural fabrics, like wool, raw silk, and bamboo jersey. I also scour thrift stores, vintage stores, and antique stores for secondhand fabric, cool vintage buttons. It is amazing how many beautiful fabrics are trapped in unwear-ably-unstylish clothing in thrift stores, just waiting to be discovered and reconstructed.

Jenny’s passion for eco chic fashion is founded on sustainability, wearability, affordability and craftsmanship. Sassy clothes with a conscience – who doesn’t love that. Yes, expect several {labudde} pieces in my spring and summer waredrobe. Learn more about Jenny and be sure to visit her new blog labuddesigns.

 

interns wanted: looking for dynamic undergrads* for social media internship

on December 22, 2008 · No Comments

Help, I’m looking for interns. Not just any interns, but really, really intelligent, innovative and fun ones! Do you want to be one or do you know someone savvy who should be? Then let please contact me at vanessa <dot> rhinesmith <at> gmail <dot> com. Interns Needed for Health Social Media Startup WEGO Health seeks [...]

Help, I’m looking for interns. Not just any interns, but really, really intelligent, innovative and fun ones! Do you want to be one or do you know someone savvy who should be? Then let please contact me at vanessa <dot> rhinesmith <at> gmail <dot> com.

Interns Needed for Health Social Media Startup
WEGO Health seeks passionate, super-sharp interns to work in our Boston office. You’ll contribute meaningfully to a variety of community, editorial and market-research projects that support and grow our community of health activists – leaders across dozens of health and wellness areas.

WEGO Health interns are major players who make big contributions. Our atmosphere is relaxed, our hierarchy flat. This is a great place to grow and learn.

Please be:
• A great writer and researcher
• Passionate about and fluent in social media tools (i.e., blogs, facebook, twitter, etc.)
• Have a deep personal interest in health and wellness topics
• Full of positive attitude and high energy
• Known for your sense of humor
• Able to bring a laptop to the office

You must work at least 12-16 hours per week for course credit (or just an amazing resume line!); this is an unpaid internship.

About WEGO Health:

WEGO Health is an exciting new company exploring ways to give consumers a voice in health care. Learn more at http://www.wegohealth.com/about-us.html
Location: Downtown Crossing

*Prefer undergraduate students, but not restricted to (especially if you make a compelling case).

 

give the gift of sustainability

on December 14, 2008 · 1 Comment

This evening we came across a new gift option from Heifer International: Fund a Project. While I’ve always loved the mission of Heifer, this takes it to a new level that resonates in a very tangible way. You pick the project that you want to invest in. We chose Zambia – Rural Community Development Project [...]

This evening we came across a new gift option from Heifer International: Fund a Project. While I’ve always loved the mission of Heifer, this takes it to a new level that resonates in a very tangible way. You pick the project that you want to invest in.

We chose Zambia – Rural Community Development Project in an ode to friends that we cherish.

This five year effort will improve the lives of many families living in poverty in Zambia. These families are displaced mineworkers, facing high unemployment rates and food shortages. Through the work of this project, Heifer will not only provide the lifesaving livestock these families need but also provide them with valuable agroecology skills and training in marketing and sustainable agriculture.

My husband and I have been proactively seeking out gifts with meaning. We desire to give gifts that are more than simply “stuff”, but have an intentionality to them that truly speaks to the recipient and relationship all while promoting social good in a sustainable way.

 

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).

 

blogs for social change

on December 5, 2008 · No Comments

This is my parting post prior to going offline in an effort to dig completely into finance, for Thursday’s final exam. With a little luck, I’ll survive with all limbs in tact. However in order to satisfy my own blogging desires, and to leave you with something worthwhile, here’s Beth Kanter‘s Top 10 Nonprofit Technology [...]

This is my parting post prior to going offline in an effort to dig completely into finance, for Thursday’s final exam. With a little luck, I’ll survive with all limbs in tact.

However in order to satisfy my own blogging desires, and to leave you with something worthwhile, here’s Beth Kanter‘s Top 10 Nonprofit Technology (NPTech) and Social Media for Social Change Blogs (courtesy of Blogs.com):

Amy Sample Ward‘s Version of NPTech
CauseWired
Have Fun Do Good
Katya Andresen: Nonprofit Marketing Blog
Laura’s Notebook
Qui Diaz – Evange.list
Social Actions
Social Citizens Blog
SocialButterfly
ext337

Of course I had to add a plug for Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), while they might not be what typically comes to mind in regards to social change via blogging (since they are a public access center), they are nonetheless breaking the stereotype and doing just that. They are rapidly honing in and expanding upon the idea of localism, what it means, what it looks like and how is can be harnessed. CCTV is utilizing social media in a way that’s causing the metamorphosis of the public access community, which is increasingly critical as the traditional access model continues to be threaten .

Visit Save Access for more.

 

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.

 

texting like it’s going out of style, is it

on November 20, 2008 · No Comments

At dinner this past weekend, a comment was made about text messaging: it’s going away. I was quick to guff at the statement. My rebuttal was equally quick and overly confidant: it’s not going anywhere, but then I interjected one caveat – the role it presently plays within our personal, professional, physical and virtual lives [...]

At dinner this past weekend, a comment was made about text messaging: it’s going away. I was quick to guff at the statement. My rebuttal was equally quick and overly confidant: it’s not going anywhere, but then I interjected one caveat – the role it presently plays within our personal, professional, physical and virtual lives will no doubt change.

Like many technologies and behaviors, the act of texting has quickly integrated into our society, for better or for worse. For the better, I am able to text someone in a pinch to offer a specific bit of information without an hour long conversation. For the worse, cell phone and text related accidents are up as folks fail to recognize the dangers of texting and driving.

But I’m convinced that this is only the start, the role it plays in our lives will undoubtedly change, and we may never even realize it. It will morph as not only technologies change, but people change. Its purpose will stem beyond simple, instantaneous communication. There will, as there has already been, an increased intentionally, as well as the construction of boundaries.

Boundaries is a much larger discussion, but for now, I personally am starting to switch to an almost retaliatory state. I don’t always want to be pinged by political campaigns and multiple Twitter accounts. I want content when I want it, not always when someone else wants me to have it. Who’s in control, and what role do they want this mobility driven, or taken, content to play?

Again, this is a much larger debate, but for now text messaging will not go away, it will change, and we will see it redefined as technologies, people and whole societies, and subcultures, change. The question then that remains is do you prepare for that change, drive it or ignore it?