Tech | May 12, 2009 | 5 comments

10 Ways to Change the World Through Social Media

source: http://www.maxgladwell.com/2009/05/10-ways-change-world-social-media

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maxgladwell
Citizen journalism, open government, status updates, community building, information sharing, crowdsourcing, and the election of a President.

Our children will inherit a world profoundly changed by the combination of technology and humanity that is social media. They'll take for granted that their voices can be heard and that a social movement can be launched from their laptop. They'll take for granted that they are connected and interconnected with hundreds of millions of people at any given moment. And they'll take for granted that a black man is or was President of the United States.

What's most profound is that these represent parts of a greater whole. They represent a shift in power from centralized institutions and organizations to the People they represent. It is the evolution of democracy by way of technology, and we are all better for it.

For most of us, social media has changed our lives in some meaningful way. Collectively it is changing the world for good. Given the pace of innovation and adoption, change has become a constant. Every so often we find the need to stop and reflect on its most recent and noteworthy developments, hence the following list.

Please note this is not a top-10 list, nor are these listed in any particular order. It's also incomplete. So we ask that you add to this conversation in the comments. If you'd like to Retweet this post or take the conversation to http://www.Twitter.com, use the hashtag #10Ways.
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Green,   Earth and Science,   Twitter
  2. tags:
    Green,  Tech,  Earth and Science,  Environment,  6 more
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5 comments // 10 Ways to Change the World Through Social Media

  • mbk220
  • mbk220
    • 0
      mbk220  
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    • I would like to introduce you to a social media where I am an active member, http://www.greenwala.com. This is a social network where members can learn, share and connect with one another on green issues facing our world. I learn from the members daily and find that I go back often to get my daily dose of information! Greenwala is planting a tree for each new member! A social network supporting a social cause!

    • 3 years ago
  • maxgladwell
    • 0
      maxgladwell  

    • The simplest way to define social media is that it's a two-way channel. TV, newspapers, print magazines, etc. are not social media. Blogs, YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia, etc. are social media.

      Social networking is a type of social media. And for the most part, the people are the media. Our profile and all its content is the media, and it's made social by sharing with our "friends" or "followers".

      Hope that provides some clarity. Part of social media's allure is that we can't entirely categorize it or get our arms around it. If you read more on www.MaxGladwell.com, you'll see how social media is part of the Max Gladwell story.

    • 3 years ago
  • Scarabus
    • 0
      Scarabus  

    • Max, I'm with you (and, having just retired from my day job, I'll have more time to invest). But I gotta admit the term "social media" is still fuzzy for me. So what? Well, my understanding doesn't really matter, of course, but I might not be the only one who's uncertain.

      The meaning of the phrase "social networking" is well understood. GoLeft TV uses the slogan "Citizens' media … on the rise!" But "social media"?

      First help us to recognize the proper flag among all its competitors and distractors, then ask us to follow it.

    • 3 years ago
  • sickinjersey
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