This is an absolutely brilliant presentation given by Clay Shirky (author of the new smash hit on organizing Without organizations called “Here Comes Everybody“) on the topic of “Where do they find the time”. You hear this phrase, usually in response to some report of silly activity or massively time consuming hobby. We Clay knows and soon you will too. It turns out that even a fraction of the time we devote to passive entertainment (e.g. Television) can, when applied to productive activity, equate to massive collaborative projects (e.g. Wikipedia).
I will let Clay explain. Do not miss this.
The transcript is here.
Incidentally, he mentions a Brazilian professor who has set up WikiCrimes, a wiki google maps mash-up that allows users to plot crimes on a Google map with descriptions and other information. I wanted to do exactly the same thing back in 1998, when I lived in Clapham in London. I even went so far as to register a domain and researched how one requested crime data from police. In those days it was simply too hard to do it alone. I would have needed serious developers. There were no web mash-ups and the Semantic Web was mostly theory.
Other ideas I had at the time, like a civil volunteers to take care of neighbourhood old people were also impractical because of technology limitations and legal threats. I think I may just have to crack open that old Someday maybe list and see what might be more doable now in the Web 2.0 era.
Gin, Television, and Social Surplus - Here Comes Everybody
A fantastic map website Radical Cartography has some real gems:
From the artist’s website:
“My illustration Simple Living is an idea inspired by the medias constant cover of completely meaningless things.
My thought was: Since doing nothing but wearing designer bags and small ugly dogs apparently is enough to get you on a magazine cover, maybe it is worth a try for people who actually deserves and needs attention.
When we’re presented with the same images in the media over and over again, we might start to believe that they’re important.
As I was reading the book ”Not on our watch” by Don Cheadle and John Prendergast this summer, I felt horrified by the fact that even with the genocide and other ongoing atrocities in Darfur, Paris Hilton was the one getting all the attention. Is it possible that show business have outruled common sense?
If you can’t beat them, join them. This is why I have chosen to mix the cruel reality with showbiz elements in my drawing.
When you look at ways to help Darfur on the website: www.savedarfur.org, amongst other things it says: Raise awareness. Raise funds. So that is what I am trying to do.
100% of the profits from the Simple Living t-shirt and poster are donated to Divest for Darfur
“Divestment offers a powerful way to exert economic pressure on the Sudanese government to cooperate with international peacekeeping efforts. Your gift will help fund the Divest for Darfur campaign and other crucial awareness and advocacy programs that play a critical role in building the political and economic pressure needed to end the crisis in Darfur.”
Little or no blogging for the next few days folks. I am reposing in Denmark on a “Leadership Secrets of Hamlet” conference. Later in the week I plan to reform the Danish opposition parties, but only after I have set up a dual monarchy to rule the Kingdoms of Kosovo and Christiania.
Oh damn it, I am lying! Its just that I really want to be like Lance Winslow, who rivals Chuck Norris for hardness and accomplishment. Make sure you read his about me to the end.
I am wondering if this Winslow is THE fabulous Winslow boy too??
PS. I am in Copenhagen. You can get me on my UK number if you are around.
e’Lollipop [IMDB], one of South Africa’s most famous and successful films, has been re-released on DVD in advance of a sequel, e’Lollipop 2: Tsepo’s Story .
From the film website:
“First released in 1976, this extraordinary motion picture story of two South African children and their dog, Sugarball, touched the hearts of audiences around the world.
Despite the fear, hatred and brutality that plagued South Africa in the mid-1970’s, e’Lollipop told a story of friendship and commitment that transcended racial boundaries.
After nearly being banned in South Africa under Apartheid, it went on to become a cult classic. Shot in Southern Africa, Lesotho and New York, e’Lollipop was seen in over 40 countries and starred local and international talent including the late Ken Gampu, Oscar and Golden Globe Award Winner José Ferrer, and Golden Globe Nominee Karen Valentine.”
It really is a beautiful story. Also from the site:
(Continued)
Via Kevin Kelly’s ct2
It is available as a 24 x 26 poster ($30).
