The Great Coordination

“ …communication is the foundation of society, business and government. When you scale up communications, you change the world….As ever more people get connected, we see an acceleration in the way the Internet is used to coordinate action and render services from human input. We are witnessing the rise of a social nervous system. „ - Joshua Michelle-Ross being quoted by Tim O’Reilly

My question is do you think what’s happening on the Web right now, with communications, is as powerful a force as Citi, CDOs, and all the other superbugs?

I mean, think about it. It’s not only SXSW the Web has going for it. It’s also Instructables, AirBnB, and guides bringing key people to unspoiled rivers.

Adidas hasn’t forgetten what cool is - or could be - and we’re starting to hack education. You can play music on the iPhone or make it through videos on YouTube. Meanwhile, people are getting together to pick up trash for an entire country.

The novelty is everywhere and goes on and on. Will the Web ever quit? Pressure from the downturn only seems to make the activity stronger.

Maybe in spite of The Great Disruption something’s happening right now that we’re not entirely aware of, call it a Great Coordination. Which one will be stronger in five years? I’m betting on The Great Coordination by a whisker.

It’s not pregiven. So, don’t stop doing what you’re doing. But if we start to become aware, as Tim says, of “moving from “sensing” to “reacting,” from “cognition” to “coordination” and group action,” we might just reseed our economy and establish a culture to match.

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Taylor Davidson 12 months ago 1 point
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Is the opportunity to coordinate communication or to communicate coordination?

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brooksjordan 12 months ago 1 point
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Great question . . .

Thinking about the Obama campaign where one went with the other . . .

I'm a big fan of letting people "do" as a way of communicating what can be done. But, there are a few thousand thoughtful leaders who would add a lot by talking about the possibility.

What do you think?

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