Using Technology

This week I've been exploring how others are using technology to promote change or to help build a better world. There are, of course, thousands of websites dedicated to various causes -- but how do they keep from getting lost in the shuffle? Some of my students have utilized Facebook to promote some of their causes, but often friends and family are the only ones that become fans or "like" their causes (and then never visit the page again). When it comes to promoting events, Facebook can be good at getting the word out, but people often post that they're attending events and never actually show up.

Blogs and podcasts are currently popular, and some have pretty strong followings. And -- believe it or not -- even Twitter can be used quite productively (for things other than finding out what some celebrity had for lunch today). Twitter is being used by social activists as a tool to keep people posted on critical events as they unfold, and to organize and mobilize people quickly.

I found a podcast series on iTunes called "Digital U: Social Media & Social Change," which explores how Facebook, Twitter and other social media can impact social change.

In exploring what types of educational materials were available online for teaching about conflict management and nonviolent change (besides iTunesU), I came across a site called LearnOutLoud.com that has a number of podcasts on a wide variety of subjects ranging from Arts & Entertainment to History to Politics to Science and everything in between. Some of the resources there are free, while others can be purchased. (If you just want the free stuff, you can click on a tab there labeled "Free Stuff.")

It was there that I found the Introduction to Nonviolence podcasts by Michael N. Nagler, which are recordings of his lectures during a semester course on nonviolent change. (Dr. Nagler wrote a book called "The Search for a Nonviolent Future" which I use for reference material for my Nonviolence class.)

A better site for accessing Dr. Nagler's class is at the Metta Center for Nonviolence which includes two of his courses, and provides the syllabus as well as some of the reading materials for each class. This site provides links to the podcasts through the UC Berkeley Webcast site, YouTube, and iTunes. Dr. Nagler also offers some additional podcasts on the topic of nonviolence through the Metta Center for Nonviolence.


Another university is also producing podcasts related to social change. Below is a link to some interesting podcasts that come out of the Stanford Center for Social Innovation:





So what are your thoughts on using social media for social change? What do you think are the most effective tools?

What Is Activism?

This topic was inspired by a discussion we have in my Nonviolence: Theory and Practice class about what activism really is. If you do a search for the definition of activism, you'll find a wide variety of answers to that question. Many of the definitions refer to activism as action that is "militant," or "aggressive," or "confrontational," something which tends to cause people to conclude that they not only are not activists, but they don't want to be! And yet, there are people who are able to make an immense impact on the world around them, by actively working to help to improve their communities or create positive change in a way that empowers people, and not necessarily in a militant way. In other words, there are as many ways to be an activist as there are people who want to create change. Simply put, activism is action that is taken to try to create change, and that can take many different forms. Sometimes it is militant and confrontational. Other times it is not. (Note: There is a difference, however, between charity and change, though sometimes the two go together. That can be thought of as the difference between giving a person a fish (charity) and feeding him for a day, and teaching them how to fish (change), which will feed them for a lifetime. Charity helps in the short term, but change is what can help in the long term.)

In exploring this question a bit further, I came across some clips from a 2008 film called "Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action." It is an award-winning film, with absolutely glowing reviews. One such review can be found at http://www.fiercelight.org/educational-review. I was so intrigued by the clips I saw that I ordered it, to see if it might be a good educational tool for stimulating discussion about activism.

The clip below is from from "Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action." This clip explores the question, "What is Activism?"

Welcome to My Blog Spot

So I am now entering into uncharted territory ... blogging. I have somewhat mixed feelings about that. There's something about things like blogging and tweeting and posting statuses on social networking sites that seems so ... egotistical. Not that I have any problem writing or talking about myself and things that interest me! It just seems a bit pretentious to think that one's goal these days is to have "followers." Guess I should check to make sure I have enough Kool-Aid on hand ...

At the same time, I think there's some value to sharing information and ideas, especially if one is trying to promote ideas that can help others in some way. Back in 1996, I created my own website, the "Odyssey of Infinite Possibilities," which was "dedicated to the development of human potential and the advancement of ideas, philosophies and actions for the betterment of society and humankind." Rather lofty goals, but admirable, I suppose. As I recall, the site had two main sections -- "Becoming Better People" and "Building a Better World", where I included extensive links to sites that I thought would help people to accomplish each of those goals. Among the keywords I used to describe the site was the phrase "pragmatic idealism," which is still how I would describe my approach to life, the universe and everything. (And yes, the answer is 42.) But over the years, I got busy, and no longer had time to maintain the site, and the free hosting services I was using disappeared or went on to pursue more lucrative business. I guess I see this blog as an opportunity to once again help promote the idea that we can indeed become better people, helping to build a better world.