Here Comes Everybody Notes

CS points out that the invention of the printing press did not cause revolution per se; rather, in created the conditions that made it possible. Luther's theses couldn't have been disseminated rapidly enough to have the kind of effect they did, without the invention of the printing press.

"Real revolutions don't involve orderly transition from point A to B. Rather, they go from A through a long period of chaos and only then reach B." 68

"Revolution doesn't happen when society adopts new technologies-it happens when society adopts new behaviors" 160

CS asks why there is so much drivel with online posts, citing examples of someone's stream of consciousness about their day....he puts it simply "they are not talking to you." it's as if you're eavesdropping on a conversation at a nearby table at a mall foodcourt. The thing is, such chatter is being done through the same medium as professional content.

>>This distinction is true to some extent, but I do see a lot more voices trying to essential be professional in this new medium too--Twitter is especially oriented this way (many people wind up with a much broader audience than friends/acquaintances); also can see in the abundance of quality blogs (e.g. how many food/wine critics are there now via blogging).

"Conversation is king. Content is just something to talk about." Cory Doctorow

Shirky points out that part of what happens in communities with high social capital is "indirect" reciprocity. Reminds me of that point made by Prof. Putnam--he can benefit from neighborhood picnics even if he doesn't go.

MeetUp was created by Scott Heiferman specifically in response to his read of Bowling Alone.

The Internet augments real world life rather than providing an alternative to it.

Open source movement teaches us that the communal can be at least as durable as the commercial. 258

The systematic bias for continuity creates a bias for substandard results. (i.e. an organization or company's need to survive makes it opt for consistency, steady performers, and shun the risk and innovation that an open source system can tolerate. the open source system can have a lot of failures but from those attempts come the new innovation.

CONCLUDING PAGE:

The future belongs to those who take the present for granted.

Our social tools are dramatically improving our ability to share, cooperate & act together. As everyone from working biologists to angry air passengers adopts these tools it is leading to an epochal change.