Thanksgiving is a time for reflection.
Like many of us, I often think about what I don’t have. What I’d like to do. What I need to achieve a certain goal.
While it’s good for motivation, it’s important to remember what you have. Remembering what really matters in life helps me stay grounded. Continue reading
A large part of my time growing up was spent inside cars.
American cars.
My dad has owned an AMC Eagle Wagon, a 1979 Chevy K1500 Blazer, and a ’92 Ford F150.
My mom has driven an ’83 Ford Escort Wagon, an ’87 Plymouth Voyager, and 90-something Escort sedan. Continue reading
A few weeks ago I wrote about Aaron Strout moving from Boston to Auston (or #bostontoaustin, as Bryan Person tagged on Twitter).
In that post, I compared Boston’s social media scene to a sports team, with superstars, utility players, and rookies. One thing I didn’t do was tell you where I see myself within with these descriptions.
I’m no rookie.
I’ve been involved in social applications on the internet since before the term social media was created. From my beginning participating in, then moderating, and finally running auto-enthusiast forum communities, to creating DesignBoston over two years ago, to SM4SC, maneuvering social media isn’t new to me.
Nor am I a grizzled veteran.
Sure, I’ve been involved in social media in one form or another for years. But by no means do I consider myself a veteran in this field. Every day, I’m excited by new developments in this field. New applications. New forms of communication. We’re still in the infant stage of this industry, and I’m ready to be a part of this for years to come.
I’m not a superstar, either.
Both of my blogs get decent traffic, but not enough to brag about. I don’t have a huge following on Twitter. I’ve only recently started doing public speaking. I know my stuff, but I’m by no means a star.
I’m a utility player.
I have experience, but also the enthusiasm of a rookie. I’m confident about my skills, and I’m willing to share what I know with those that don’t. When a big name player leaves our ranks, I do what I can to bring myself up and help fill the void.
What about you? Where do you see yourself in the social media lineup?
Have you noticed?
I have.
Walking down the street, there’s a lightness in people’s steps. They’re smiling more than they were a week ago.
America’s high.
High on hope. High on change.
On that note, I’d like to share something. My friend and coworker Danielle sent me photos from a rally for Barack Obama that exemplify the hope that we’re all feeling right now.
Last night, history happened. America, in an overwhelming gesture of support, voted in Barack Obama as our next President.
One of the things that struck me as most amazing about his victory was to the degree to which it proved to be our victory.
It’s been a long time since a candidate united people the way Obama has. And the way he united people — using the tools of social media — is just as amazing.
Over nearly 22 months, the Obama campaign has used technology — Email, SMS, Facebook, Twitter — to build a database of millions of ordinary Americans… Americans that were excited and willing to help make a difference.
And are still excited and willing to help.
This morning, Christopher Penn tweeted something that got me thinking (Not a terribly rare thing: this financial guru spouts wisdom on the regular):
I thought about what this could mean for our country… to have millions of people working to make America a better place. I envisioned something similar to what our grandparents did 75 years ago to get through the worst economic crisis in the nation’s history — but in the Digital Age.
And so I gave it a name: the Digital New Deal.
Think about it: what if — like FDR controlling road and bridge construction projects from the White House — President Obama could guide a volunteer work force.
An army of helping hands.
Using the connections that he’s already established, (I honestly get more text messages from him than I do from some of my friends) he could mobilize a disaster-recovery team, a clean-up-the-parks team, a let’s-make-this-a-better-country team… all as quickly as he can send a text or an email or a tweet.
I don’t know about you, but I’m proud and excited for what lays ahead for this country like never before.
But it’s going to take work. Long, hard work.
Are you ready to get to work?
I have way too many thoughts flowing through my head right now. All I can say is, Congratulations, Mr. President-Elect. Continue reading
