1963

Taken at the MLK Memorial in Washington DC. This is not to be missed.

Probably not. But just the same, this is a really interesting infographic about the positive and negative effects Google might be having on us as individuals. 

What I find most interesting is how becoming dependent on Google might displace our deep understanding of concepts. I wonder how being emotionaly connected to an experience might offset where and how we access memories. 

I'm not very familiar with the topic of memory, but I can say, I like NOT having to remember details which allows me to focus my thinking power on the bigger picture - which I often revisit in my thoughts/memory. 

How this relates to social interaction and community engagement:

So since we are not getting stupider because of Google search, I'd argue that Google tools makes it possible for community members, like me, to be more productive and able to focus on the bigger picture. Now that Google can support/hold/maintain the integrity of task completion (Google Calendar, Tasks, Docs, etc) - memory and energy can be used to get stuff done. We just need to remember to use these tools...

Props to David Crowley for sharing this on Google+.

Research and Design by: Online Colleges Site

I just met Marc and Tara, the E-Tour team from Leave No Trace, LNT.org who shared a framework for thinking about how our actions impact each other and the environment. 

Streaming by Ustream

One ingredient that is missing the actionable call to action. This farm stand at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market has done the best job I've seen person. They have the typical sign but added a large QR code people can scan on the spot.

Next question: Why Like? I'll come back to this latter.

Situation: Most people are NOT social butterflies and don't like, and even hate, networking. 

Resolution: Engineer conversations by wearing your interests, passions, values, and skills.

I've got a thing for nametags. Back in 2007, I wore one every day, all day long, everywhere I went, as a part of my Nametag Project.

Today my friend Doug tweeted me a link to a video called Nametag Etiquette on bnet.com. In this video, Syndi Seid, the Etiquette Coach makes some suggestions about making a nametag legible. 

In the video she also instructs her viewers to create name tags in spoken order: "first name, last night, and affilation" she says, adding "it is not necessary to provide any further information."  

I strongly disagree.

A plain nametag is like a tie - most of them are alike. If it just your name name and company, whoppe-do. Instead, you should make your nametag work for you, like Scott Ginsberg who wears one everyday and also wears a huge nametag at conferences, attracting quite a bit of attention as you can see in this video: 

My friend Robbie Samuels, makes nametags work for him by using not one, but three. Robbie uses one for his name and affliation, one that says "I'm looking for" and the third stating: "I'm good at." Imagine all the conversations his three nametags would spark. Sometime Robbie even writes his twitter handle on affiliation on his arms.

Vermont Public Radio covered an experiment I did at a high school in Vermont. Here, I asked students to write their first name and in lieu their last name, a word that described what they felt the world needs most - mine for example was: Joseph Love. Next they were tasked with reintroducing themselves to their peers and explaining their of new last name. The students reported that they learned more about each other in the 30 minutes we spent together than they had up to that point all year. 

Here are my three tips on how to make a nametag work for you:

1. Use three nametags or write on your arms like Robbie
2. Replace your last name on your nametag with a value, interest, or skill
3. Wear a giant nametag like Scott

Place is space before awareness and intention. 
Bring awareness to space, add intention, and you have place. 

Bring others to place and you have community.

Meridian Park Drum Circle, Washington DC, 9.11.2011