Comments on: Empowering Actual Communities With Social Media

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:48:44 +0000

Wow. Thanks for the point, Michael. I'll dive in and check it out soon. Much appreciated.

By: DJ Waldow

DJ Waldow — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:57:32 +0000

Jason: Yeah, wasn't trying to pimp BSF by listing my title. Was just letting you (subtly) know about my new gig. Would LOVE to talk more about *how* you are using Blue Sky Factory. Let me know when you have time.

Oh yeah...thanks (http://idek.net/KmL). In case you missed it on Twitter.

DJ Waldow
@djwaldow

By: Michael Wood-Lewis

Michael Wood-Lewis — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:32:58 +0000

Glad to find your post, Jason. You might be interested in Front Porch Forum. More than 40% of Vermont's largest city subscribes to this network of 130 online neighborhood forums, resulting in tens of thousands of postings among clearly identified nearby neighbors... from debating local politics to finding lost cats, from recommending a roofer to reporting car break-ins and lots and lots more. Nothing else achieves this level of participation with this kind of civil and constructive involvment. http://frontporchforum.com

By: Internet Marketing, Strategy & Technology Links – July 21, 2009 « Sazbean

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:18:18 +0000

[...] Empowering Actual Communities With Social Media (Social Media Explorer) [...]

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:44:16 +0000

The reality, Jason, is my reaction to your examples. In your above blog post, you cite seven people and/or agencies yet only one is not respective of a president/governor/mayor, and that is Mike Boehmer. I agree with your portrayal of Mike, but you brought up everyone else and that is what I'm referring to.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:07:50 +0000

If you think top-down means heads of state, you're not getting the true picture of reality. Department heads run government. Heads of state just push conceptual policy. Which also explains your banking reference.

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:48:57 +0000

Focusing on your last sentence about possibilities and top-down buy-in, Jason, that's not necessarily true either. Many heads of state – from President Obama to Governor Patrick as you alluded – are using aspects of social media in their endeavors, but that doesn't suggest their appointees have it or know what it is.

It's easy to correlate possibilities with leadership – but there's a reason why Wells Fargo has more blogs than Bank of America and I'll hazard a guess it has less to do with the bank CEO.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:38:05 +0000

That's why I said “make it unlikely.” Not “impossible.” Your point about using the relevant tools is spot on, but it IS the prevailing attitudes, not infrastructure or policies at play. If it were, then those who are doing it and doing well wouldn't be. Anything is possible if you have top-down buy in and direction.

Thanks for the push back, though.

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:46:33 +0000

In your final paragraph on the notion of #gov20, you write: “Social media tools make it possible. It’s only prevailing attitudes that make it unlikely.”

If only it was that simple, Jason. Attitudes do not prevent the use of social tools, but a mixture of outdated infrastructure and policies are bigger issues at play. Also, despite the pseudo-importance of this or that tool, if it bears no relevance for the agency's mission, there is no point in using it. It's great the CIA is recruiting with Facebook; but that doesn't imply other agencies should use Facebook for human resources as every agency is different.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:39:57 +0000

Agreed, Master Kipp. Thanks again for chiming in!

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:39:29 +0000

Just keep up the good work, Mike. You're doing a hell of a job and I love the fact you're not caught up in low numbers meaning it's not worth it. Every person counts and you guys know that better than any of us.