What Dataportability.org Wont Fix
Humans. If you want to save the read, the answer is: humans. Systems and software and all the sluices we build in the data stream won’t change the way humans see themselves, the way they construct their own feelings, the way they form groups, alliances, arguments, disagreements and then reform new versions of the same. As we are, so shall we always be. Humans, frail, flawed, and on a crazy path towards success just the same.
Fears and Concerns
While people were reconsidering other things, I checked in on the Twitter stream at large to see them responding to the State of the Union speech. What I saw were tons of angry, disillusioned, frustrated voices. (I don’t discuss my politics, but at this point, who’s on the President’s side, really?) I saw people talking about the pending US Presidential election. I saw them talking about which candidates might do a better job, and which ones might win, given all the crazy vectors human nature will take.
One theme I see/saw during this all was the sense that other people had the power, and that we are watching others take it. I worry that people believe they don’t possess power.
Another theme I saw was accusations all around of elitism. I worry about that all the time, personally, because as the people who read my words and follow my communication see only the abstraction of me, and haven’t met me, don’t know me, they might form a different opinion. (If you’ve met me and think I’m elitist, that’s another whole thing). I do worry about what people think about me to some extent. I know it’s a fool’s errand. Dr. McKay’s book on self esteem tells me that. But it’s there.
I Believe In Humans
For any of you who feel unheard, who feel like someone else has the power, who feel that others are between you and your greatness, I want to share one of the videos I’ve watched recently. It’s from the TED conference, held yearly in Monterrey, California, and featuring some of the most interesting thinkers in the world (my opinion). Ben Dunlap is a powerful storyteller. I think he could read a cereal box to me, and I’d listen.
I’m glad projects like Dataportability.org won’t fix how social networks impact humans. I think we can figure it all out ourselves. These tools have empowered us beyond what has come before. We’ll see even better tools in the future.
With that, here’s Ben Dunlap:
Photo credit, Andre Gustavo
