Create Our World

“The media overall has become social, and the social has become media.” -Steve Rubel

New friends from the utilization of Social Networking.

Narcissists!

About 5 months ago, I moved towards coming to peace with the current Social Networking craze around the world and it was not easy.

Up until that point, I was not sold on this new form of communication.  I am old fashioned.  I like talking to my friends in person.  I refused to join Facebook for awhile, then I joined…quietly and guiltily.  I had a Facebook page and a hundred friends or so… but No way! was I going to be a “friend” to someone whom I had never met.  I did not “Poke” people, refused to “update my status,” and rarely commented on anything I saw.  I did not want anyone to know I used this… this… vile, voyueristic killer of relationships.  Twitter and blogging were not even a question.  They were only for narcissists!

I was and still am really concerned about the impact that Social Networking has on an individual’s relationships and his ability to experience the world.  

To Understand is Powerful.

I made a short video, subtly poking fun at Facebook and would try to convince people not to join.  But I was losing.  I then begrudgedly accepted this new form of communication and I decided to do some research.  I wanted to get to know more about social networks.  I read, Thomas Friedman’s “The World is Flat,” and Jim Jarvis’ “What Would Google Do?,” and I also started reading a couple blogs, Chris Guillebeau’s, “The Art of Non-Conformity” and Seth Godin’s Blog.

Well, I went from a “hater” to being excited about this new form of media.  Here’s what changed my tune:

*Using the Internet, if you have a remarkable and potent IDEA, this IDEA can reach millions for a very low cost.

*No longer do the Rich & Powerful have total control over Information & Ideas!

You do not have to pitch your story to any TV Executives, sell recording execs on your music, or pester the New York Times to have your story published.   All you need is access to a computer and the Internet.  Anyone can share their Idea with the World!

This idea excites me.  

That said though, my concern has not dissipated, my strategy has changed though.  Instead of abstaining or just dipping my toe in, I have decided to plunge in head first.  I realized to really understand and utilize this new form of media, I must embrace it.  

Hence, Create Our World was born!!!  

With CreateOurWorld.net humming, my Fan page on Facebook, tweets, my YouTube videos, Couchsurfing.org, and my photographs on Flickr; I have fully plunged.  Here is what I have learned so far:

1.  Social Networks can ENHANCE your REAL LIFE Relationships.  

***Through Facebook and Couchsurfing especially, I have met MANY people whom, pre-Social Network days, I would not have met.  I can enter a town and through a quick search on Couchsurfing meet up with an interesting person almost anywhere in America or meet up with a friend on Facebook or a friend of a friend.  

2.  Social Networks can be a Magnet & a Filter for Like-Minded People.

***The Internet is my Filter and my Magnet!!! While traveling I still get to meet people from all different walks of Life whom teach me all sorts of interesting concepts.  But, I can use the Internet to connect with others whom believe in the Goodness of People.  I have met some people through the Internet, whom I have yet to meet in real life, but whom have given me support and ideas that can contribute to my project and my Life.

3.  Balance is Key.

***There is always a comment to respond to, a photograph or video to upload, a message to send, and an inspirational tweet that comes to mind.  There is always something going on and it can be consuming.  I must balance my offline Life with my online Life.  My online relationships should ENHANCE and not CONSUME my Life.  

***

We met through the Ann Arbor Couchsurfing Group

The ability of Social Networks to connect and befriend new people is winning me over.  

But, what are your thoughts and experience?  Please share your wisdom.

Create Our World.

Ben.

“Social Networking that matters is helping people achieve their goals.  Doing it reliably and repeatability, so that over time people have an interest in helping you achieve your goals” – Seth Godin

Trip to Richmond:  POSTPONED!!!

I have been hacking up some green goo, so I am heading to Richmond tommorrow.  Today, I am eating some strawberries, sipping some echinachea tea, and reading more about websites.

A future goal of the Create Our World project is to create a CONVENIENT way for people whom I meet to CONTACT each other, INTERACT, COLLABORATE, and ROCK THE WORLD, without my influence or need to introduce them.  

SO, I have thought about creating my own internet “social network”; like a Facebook or MySpace.  But the theme of the site would be “Creating Our World”, no “poking” or putting up semi-nude photos of yourself, but people sharing ideas and projects about how to better our world.

“Create Our World…book” or “Createourworld…space” or something similar.

Of course, I thought this was a pretty novel idea…well, it has been done.  Here are the top three that I found:

1.  Change.org

A site that pairs individuals with non-profit organizations.

2.  Think MTV

This is a bit more sassy looking, using the dough and cultural pull of MTV.  Pop culture crammed with causes.

3.  Fight with Tools

A community created by the rock band, THE FLOBOTS, which has the feel of facebook with more interesting graphics.

***

OR, if you into forging your own path, you can easily CREATE YOUR OWN SOCIAL NETWORK!!!

Ning is the most user friendly and pretty looking.  I set up a site in less than five minutes for FREE  And it looks like my own version of Facebook.

But there are countless other’s, SocialGo, Elgg, WackWall, it goes on… 

***

This idea came from the question,

“How can I help people, whom want to contact other “World Creators,” do that EASILY?”

Create our world,

ben.

“Anyone can own a broadcast power now. We are going to have more and more choices. TV will no longer be one-size-fits-all.”  Jeff Jarvis, author of “What Would Google Do?” and the blog, Buzzmachine.com