chrisbrogan.com

Covering social media business strategy and personal power

  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Rockstars
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
3

Books to Buy- Here Comes Everybody - Clay Shirky

March 20, 2008

I was fortunate to catch a little bit of Clay Shirky’s talk at the Harvard Berkman Center a few weeks back, but it took me a few more weeks to grab a copy of his book, Here Comes Everybody, and read it. I’m really glad that I did. It turns out that it’s PACKED with all kinds of interesting points about how organizations can use community tools like social media software to build stronger communities of practice, interest, and more.

Essentially, the book talks about how the tools of the web (and even something as simple as Walkie Talkies) enable people to organize without formality. If that sounds hot to you, don’t listen to me, pick up your own copy of the book. Because that idea, actually, relates to the point. You are empowered. You are enabled. This new web is about giving YOU the tools, so that you can decide what to do.

The book is refreshingly NOT all cumbaya and “this will all work out fine.” Shirky does a great job of pointing out what our newfound freedoms cost us. He talks candidly about failures in the idea, such as “cooperation as infrastructure.” But even this should prove useful to your thoughts and plans and schemes.

I recommend Shirky’s book, and if he’s speaking near you, check him out. I promise that it will be informative, and that he’s a friendly enough guy.

Check it out here: Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations

Uncategorized
bookreview, books, clayshirky, herecomeseverybody, socialmedia, socialnetworks

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to receive future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Comments
Comment by Jim Lenahan on March 22, 2008 @ 8:29 am

Hey Chris … I was thinking about picking up this book. How does it compare with “The Wisdom of Crowds”?

Comment by Justin Thorp on March 23, 2008 @ 12:35 am

I have been really enjoying this book! I’d recommend it. Seems like it’s a natural progression… Cluetrain, Naked Conversations, and this book.

Comment by chrisbrogan on March 23, 2008 @ 8:46 am

@Jim - I really love it. It’s focused differently than “Wisdom of Crowds” insofar as Surwiecki (sp?) was talking about this like a theory, whereas Clay is pointing out use cases and examples that are forward-thinking and replicable.

If I could only buy ONE of the two books, that’d be a tough choice, but I think because I like practical things, I’d go with Shirky.

Leave a comment

(required)

(required)


FriendFeed had this many likes and comments: hide
View this post on FriendFeed
Liked by
  • Charles Tanton

Add a comment on FriendFeed




Logged in as [logout]

Get the blog sent to your inbox. Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

  • About Chris
    Chris Brogan advises businesses, organizations and individuals on how to use social media and social networks to build relationships and deliver value.

    I work with:

    CrossTechMedialogo

  • Recent Posts
    • 25 Ways Social Media Prepares You for the Downturn
    • Picnics
    • The ADD of Ads
    • Let Twitter Build Your Social Media Project
    • Pixelated - The Online Conference About PLAY
  • FREE eBook
    free ebook
    Trust Economies (w/Julien Smith)

  • Blog Archives
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006
    • August 2006
    • July 2006
    • June 2006
    • May 2006
    • April 2006
    • March 2006
    • February 2006
    • January 2006
    • December 2005
    • October 2005
    • September 2005
    • August 2005
    • July 2005
    • June 2005
    • May 2005
    • April 2005
    • March 2005
    • February 2005
    • January 2005
    • December 2004
    • November 2004
    • October 2004
    • September 2004
    • August 2004
    • July 2004
    • June 2004
    • May 2004
    • April 2004
    • March 2004
  • Contact Chris
    • blog at chrisbrogan.com
    • +1 978-885-1551
    • AIM: cbrogandotcom
  • Find me on LinkedIn
  • Search
  • Tag Cloud
    advertising Announcement Article blogging blogs books branding business chrisbrogan community conference conferences customerservice email event events friendfeed google howto linkedin marketing media nms personalbranding podcamp podcasting pr Promotion rss search self-improvement socialmedia socialmedia100 socialnetworking socialnetworks SocialSoftware software Strategy technology twitter Uncategorized video videoblog writing youtube
  •  
  • Lijit Search
  • Upcoming.org Events
    More of chrisbrogan's events
  • new marketing summit
  • save $200
  • freshbookslogo

Powered by Wordpress | Based on WP Premium theme by WP Remix. Customized by SnowyDay Design.
All contents Creative Commons licensed. chrisbrogan.com. Click here for rights info.