Friday, October 21, 2011
Patrick Meier: Changing the World, One Map at a Time
This whole topic is completely interesting. Before having to listen to this video Patrick Meier: Changing the World, One Map at a Time for my class I had never heard about this organization. I am just completely inspired by this presentation and the Ushahidi organization. One of the points he makes is how useful social media networks truly are. Not only are they free but they are interconnect so your word spreads more quickly than it might have in previous years. Another important point Meier makes is that the humanitarian efforts of Ushahidi were not started by larger humanitarian organizations like FEMA or the United Nations. These efforts came from everyday people in a college dorm room. Which proves to me that with the technological advancements in social media, an everyday average person can help to save the world. Another important point that Meier had made was the fact that volunteers are self selected. Which important because that means they're there because they want to be, not because they have to be. Which is an extremely important to think about. It's more or less a life lesson. We all know that we are happier and more efficient when we are participation in something that wanted to do rather than something that we were forced into. This presentation was inspiring and I look forward to following Ushahidi via Twitter.
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I definitely can see the merits of such comments, especially those related to giving people the choice to do something to help others. As a teacher, I see the value of young people making the choice to help others, as opposed to being forced to do so. Hopefully, such sites will encourage more and more people to give of themselves because it is the right thing to do!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this concept before Patrick's presentation and I find it heartwarming. It really shows how much people care and that as a race we will come together to help one another.
ReplyDeleteSeems like an irony that this platform is being used by individuals not associated with the humanitarian groups you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the part about social networks being useful and quick. The reason they have caught on so much is because of the fact that people can chat and exchange information at such a convenient and fast rate. As a result, sites like Twitter are becoming the way people choose to communicate.
ReplyDelete"Another important point Meier makes is that the humanitarian efforts of Ushahidi were not started by larger humanitarian organizations like FEMA or the United Nations. These efforts came from everyday people in a college dorm room"
ReplyDeleteThis fact about Ushahidi is one of the more encouraging ones for me. Politics and funding can jumpstart vicious fights about where money should be sent. It's nice to see a global effort like this completely bypass arguments about money. It really just turned into a cause about helping people, regardless of any extraneous details.
Hi Kristin,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how thanks to new communication technological advancements an everyday average person now can help to save the world.