I always like you, even when you're having a good day!
It feels to me like we don't have a super lot in common, definitely not fandom-wise (not anymore), but at the same time I have a neverending fondness for you. So... *rolls up sleeves*. I'm sure I have some blather to offer.
Um, books... let's see, I recently read "Cognitive Surplus" by Clay Shirky, which is all about how the massive power of the internet is toppling everything but more specifically, is about how interactivity and sociability are inate aspects of human behavior.
It's a really interesting book! Basically the idea is that humans are built to be social creatures but over the last century or so, various demographic changes have made it so people were finding it harder to connect with their real life neighbors and family, and worse, with increasing industrialization, ended up having loads of free time. Having lots of time to do stuff in, but without easy access to people to do things with, TV ended up taking over people's lives because it was a kind of comforting (but pale) substitute for the socialization we were lacking.
But now with the internet, which is an interactive medium, we are finding ways to reclaim our free time. People find value in making things and being part of a community, and with the capacities of the internet we can all do stuff that we never did before. He talks some about group effects, which is something he went into in greater detail in his previous book, "Here Comes Everybody," but here he spends more time talking about how groups of people who come together on the the internet through shared interests/concerns can end up doing awesome things. Like all these fans of... I think it was Josh Grobin?... who ended up creating this charity which raises tons of money for various charities. I'd imagine that all the Help Haiti and Gulf Aid auctions we see on LJ are a similar phenomenon. The reason they succeed in helping a good cause is because they create a culture where sharing is a part of being social. It's not just about raising money but about people interacting with each other, and also for the sense of accomplishment that goes to all the people who organize, or who donate art or writing or whatever.
I'm suspecting this is a rather punch-drunk seeming comment since I'm coming off an exhausting overnighter at work, where I saw tons of patients, so please forgive whatever incomprehensibility you see. It's probably not intentional!!!
Anyway. Feel better! HERE ARE MANY SPOONY HUGS FROM ME.
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Date: 2010-07-14 11:01 am (UTC)It feels to me like we don't have a super lot in common, definitely not fandom-wise (not anymore), but at the same time I have a neverending fondness for you. So... *rolls up sleeves*. I'm sure I have some blather to offer.
Um, books... let's see, I recently read "Cognitive Surplus" by Clay Shirky, which is all about how the massive power of the internet is toppling everything but more specifically, is about how interactivity and sociability are inate aspects of human behavior.
It's a really interesting book! Basically the idea is that humans are built to be social creatures but over the last century or so, various demographic changes have made it so people were finding it harder to connect with their real life neighbors and family, and worse, with increasing industrialization, ended up having loads of free time. Having lots of time to do stuff in, but without easy access to people to do things with, TV ended up taking over people's lives because it was a kind of comforting (but pale) substitute for the socialization we were lacking.
But now with the internet, which is an interactive medium, we are finding ways to reclaim our free time. People find value in making things and being part of a community, and with the capacities of the internet we can all do stuff that we never did before. He talks some about group effects, which is something he went into in greater detail in his previous book, "Here Comes Everybody," but here he spends more time talking about how groups of people who come together on the the internet through shared interests/concerns can end up doing awesome things. Like all these fans of... I think it was Josh Grobin?... who ended up creating this charity which raises tons of money for various charities. I'd imagine that all the Help Haiti and Gulf Aid auctions we see on LJ are a similar phenomenon. The reason they succeed in helping a good cause is because they create a culture where sharing is a part of being social. It's not just about raising money but about people interacting with each other, and also for the sense of accomplishment that goes to all the people who organize, or who donate art or writing or whatever.
I'm suspecting this is a rather punch-drunk seeming comment since I'm coming off an exhausting overnighter at work, where I saw tons of patients, so please forgive whatever incomprehensibility you see. It's
probablynot intentional!!!Anyway. Feel better! HERE ARE MANY SPOONY HUGS FROM ME.