Research polls, trend reports and social commentators are constantly reminding us that we're a disconnected society. Technology is often blamed as a means of us keeping human connection at arms length - apparently we'd rather text, email or call rather than meet in person.  Consider likemind as an example where technology has actually fostered face to face communication and connections.  There's a great article in the New York Times about the likemind events that happen every third Friday of the month around the world.  What started as an informal get together between bloggers and strategists Piers Fawkes (of PSFK fame) and Noah Briar (of BrandTags fame), has spawned over 50 meetings in 15 countries all happening on the same day every month. The concept is simple - show up for interesting conversation before work, have a coffee and meet some like-minded people.  I'll be co-hosting the next one in Vancouver on December 5th, but you can find your city here and just show up.

This is rapidly becoming my favorite subject - I’m fascinated by the way our brains are being changed by technology.

David Weinberger writes in his thought provoking book Everything is Miscellaneous about the ways that virtuality is changing how we organize information. We’re moving from physical heuristics to systems of self-organization - this is how Ithink about the world, so therefore, that is how it is organized for me.

Whereas physical layouts (think retail stores) limit the number of connections products can have (e.g., a product should be shelved in one or two places in the store tops, in order to maximize return on limited square footage), in the virtual world, anything and everything can be linked. As the brilliant Kati Sciortino says, it’s all about the meta.

And information is now accessible, easily and cheaply. Look ups are at our finger tips. Perhaps we can finally move from educational systems of rote learning - memorization - to schools that teach us how to think.

The implications on us - as marketers, parents, educators, thinkers, citizens - are monumental. And we’re just beginning to think about what they will be.

Everything is Miscellaneous is a really intriguing read. I highly recommend it. (And thank you to J. Duncan Berry of Applied Iconology for recommending it to me!)

What happens when 100 bloggers get together and write a book for charity? You get the latest thinking on marketing in the age of conversation from the disparate voices with something to say.

I’m proud to have been a part of the conversation. Check it out - and order the book next week!

LAUNCH DAY

Monday, July 16th

FORMATS & PRICES

Hardbacks $29.99
Paperbacks $16.95
E-book $9.99

Background
Dedication

AUTHORS
Anderson Roger