go fly a kite.

If you care to find me, look to the western sky. As someone
told me lately everyone deserves a chance to fly...a kite.

passion, not posts.

Facebook and Twitter are going to save the world. Or so some may say. In the recent history social media has been heralded as the savior of the masses, giving a voice to the causes of the disenfranchised. Perhaps that is a bit too strong of a statement, but when you hear about the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and the like it is clear that many see social media as the catalyst to change.

I disagree.

Revolutions and upheavals have been occurring for centuries. Social media doesn't create revolutions, it is impassioned individuals with a will to fight. I read an article the Economist did a few months ago, "How Luther Went Viral" and I think it speaks well to the nature of communication in revolution.

Exhibit A, the Reformation. When Martin Luther and co. wanted to get their message out they turned to printing pamphlets and writing songs. The result: well many of us are still living in the wake of that today, it impacted faith and understanding in massive ways. To quote the article:

Modern society tends to regard itself as somehow better than previous ones, and technological advance reinforces that sense of superiority. But history teaches us that there is nothing new under the sun. Robert Darnton, an historian at Harvard University, who has studied information-sharing networks in pre-revolutionary France, argues that “the marvels of communication technology in the present have produced a false consciousness about the past—even a sense that communication has no history, or had nothing of importance to consider before the days of television and the internet.” Social media are not unprecedented: rather, they are the continuation of a long tradition. Modern digital networks may be able to do it more quickly, but even 500 years ago the sharing of media could play a supporting role in precipitating a revolution. Today’s social-media systems do not just connect us to each other: they also link us to the past.

I like social media. It connects us, it has given voice to individuals, and it is fun! But, to prop it up too high would be a disservice to ourselves and the past. (For the record, I do think social media is impacting our society in significant ways.)

Social media might not be the driving force of change in the world, but it also isn't a non-factor. So keep posting, tweeting, pinning, but don't just communicate for the sake of communication. If that be the case we will just turn in to a society that sits around delighting to hear about every new idea and happening, to no end or purpose. Instead find your passion, then use whatever means you can to light it up!

scary stuff.

love.