Posts tagged ‘society’
Did You Know? 2 Must-See Videos to FLY Together
My dad sent me this great video today. It makes you think. It motivates you, like @garyvee, to get off your butt and get moving. You may think that doing nothing only affects you. Tuning out is a choice. So, that can be your opinion. But, standing, means not helping others to fly.
No matter your political leanings, you must admit this quote is poetic. On NPR, a man talked about getting ready to vote for a president for the first time was being asked who he was voting for and why. He recalled this text message he received from a friend:
“Rosa sat, so Martin could walk. Martin walked, so Obama could run. And, Obama is running so our children can fly.”
What if that could be you? What if your actions could empower others to succeed. Think about the power that ripple effect could have. Whether it’s for Obama or McCain, Vote. Act. Do. No matter what, after the election, we will all need to keep moving, if not faster. Let’s get busy, and let’s FLY together. Just ask these guys:
*Don’t quote me on the stats, as I’m still trying to find this video’s source. But, it is powerful.
Host of the Carnival for Change, this Blogger Neighbor asks, “So What Can I Do?”
Many of us are familiar with the Carnival for Non-Profit Consultants, but has everyone taken notice of the Carnival for Change? It’s a current carnival started by this week’s Blogger Neighbor Karama Neal @ the blog, So What Can I do?
In the Carnival for Change, Karama “explore the web for interesting items relating to social justice, health, education, and opportunity.” To submit posts or to see past carnivals, click here. In the meantime, enjoy learning more about another great addition to the neighborhood!
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Blog Name: So What Can I Do? – The public service weblog promoting ethics in action.
Blog Topics: Posts focus on actions readers can take that make a positive difference in our world. My goal is for readers to recognize that we all are able to contribute to a better society, and be inspired to do so. Mahatma Ghandi’s quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” is our mantra.
About the Author: Karama Neal is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and am a proud Southerner. I live with my husband and daughter in the Atlanta area.
If you could live on any street, what would that street be named and why?
I’d live at the corner of Justice Drive and Peace Way.
Who would be your dream real-life neighbor?
Octavia Butler. She’s my favorite writer, as her characters remind me that vastly more is possible than most of us believe.
What first prompted you to blog?
The conversations at my dinner parties always turned to the problems in society. My friends and I could go on for hours about what was wrong with the world, but after a while I wanted to focus more on solutions. I decided to create a forum for collecting, disseminating, and discussing all the ways we can make a positive difference in the world. Blogging is the perfect medium for my idea, and in October 2004, I launched So What Can I Do.
If you customized your own license plate, what would it say and why?
“NO XQS” It’s so easy to find reasons not to do what we know is right or good. I try not to let myself do that. Likewise, I encourage my readers (and myself) to act for a better future rather than rationalize the status quo.
What’s your favorite blog post and why?
Sometimes folks think the only way they can contribute to solving the world’s problems is by donating money. Of course, that is not true, and my favorite posts tend to focus on ways almost everyone can give, regardless of how much money they have. Examples include donating blood, tissues, and related items, using cloth napkins, and gaming for change.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned from blogging?
Because the blogosphere is so accessible, the act of blogging makes one particularly accountable for what one writes. I’ve transferred that idea to my professional life, where I’ve become an advocate for open access publishing. Most academic research is published in expensive, hard-to-find journals. Open access publishing puts research papers on the web, where the public (who often funds research) can read, critique, and use it. It’s like blogging for tenure.
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Past Blogger Neighbors Include:
- Osocio @ Osocio, nominated by SocialButterfly
- Beth Kanter @ Beth’s Blog, nominated by SocialButterfly
- Beth Dunn @ Small Dots, nominated by Beth Kanter
- Len Edgerly @ LenEdgerly.com, nominated by Beth Dunn
- Stacey Monk @ Epic Change, nominated by the Twitter-verse
- Jason Dick @ A Small Change, nominated by Stacey Monk
- Roger Carr @ Everyday Giving, nominated by Jason Dick
- Andre Blackman @ Pulse & Signal, nominated by SocialButterfly
- Laura Stockman @ 25 Days to Make a Difference, nominated by Roger Carr
- …and Karama Neal @ So What Can I Do?, nominated by the Carnival of Change
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This continuous weekly series highlights different blogs and their respective bloggers in the blogosphere neighborhood. Following the great Mr. Rogers, who tells us to ‘Get to know your neighbor,’ this series introduces us to our blogger neighbors, making for a more unified, collaborative voice for the social sector. Like to nominate someone or be featured yourself? Contact me @ socialbutterfly4change@gmail.com.
What’s Your Anthem?
What’s your personal, social marketing, social change, change the world for the better, non-profit motivating, ignite the passion in people, representative of the times, light the fires anthem/song? or artist?
Here is my playlist so far…though I’m terribly behind in the music scene. =)
- John Lennon – Imagine
- Bob Dylan – Blowin’ in the Wind
- Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come
- What’s Goin’ On – (depending on your generation) Marvin Gaye or Justin Timberlake/Black Eyed Peas
- Sly & The Family Stone – Everyday People
- Respect – Aretha Franklin
- Celine Dion – Call the Man
- Brandon Heath – I’m Not Who I Was
- R Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly
- Finger Eleven – One Thing
- Shania Twain – She’s Not Just a Pretty Face
- India Arie’s version of – The Heart of the Matter
- India Arie – Video
- India Arie – I am not My Hair
- Akon – Sorry, Blame it on Me
- Alicia Keys – Superwoman
- Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror
- Michael Jackson – Heal the World
- John Mayer – Waiting on the World to Change
- Tim McGraw – Live Like You Were Dying
- Five for Fighting – 100 Years
I’m sure I left a ton out, so feel free to post your own in the comments. =)
***Update***
David Archuleta just sang the third verse of John Lennon’s Imagine on American Idol tonight.
Web 3.0: In Response to an ‘Official’
This is a response-post to a different blog titled, “Web 3.0: An Official Definition.’
This post is not to criticize any points, but to bring up a point for discussion. According to Calacanis.com, the official Web 3.0 definition is as such:
My concern is with the term ‘gifted individuals.’ Web 2.0 is technology that has given a voice to many individuals, who previously, were left unheard. I think that our forefathers, John Milton and John Stuart Mills would be beaming at the bursting free marketplace of ideas. Indeed, some believe that the web allows us a real chance at really discussing issues and revealing new truths. I wonder what Milton and Mills would think of technology designed to hand that freedom over to select ‘gifted individuals.’ This post is not to argue against the technology. I am all about it. Instead, this post is to ask a question on how that technology will be used, especially when dangerous gray areas lead away from information of many, to the information of the select few.
In the post, the author also states:
I think the author makes some great points, and I understand his general idea. However, I am cautious to say that the new Web 3.0 technology is only for experts and gifted individuals….and will be saving us from any mobs. With this technology, who will decide what is talent, and what is expertise? Where will the power be left? For myself, I welcome the new technology, yet at the same time, I like being able to read the spectrum of opinions and decide for myself where the truth lies.
My view on this other blog’s post was also formed when I saw that he censored the comments towards his post. Though I understand his point of wanting constructive dialogue, I’m glad he could outline his expertise on what a free discussion should entail. =)
December 19, 2007 at 5:25 pm 1 comment