Sunday, September 20, 2009

What it means to be a citizen . . .

I recently shared a commentary on my Facebook profile regarding an observation when seeing the movie 'Taking Woodstock' - I had found the word of mouth sharing of the event fascinating given the timeframe: the lack of Internet, email, Twitter, no social networking tools of any kind. Yet the sheer numbers and passion of the people who gathered for Woodstock was a sight to behold.

I had asked the question "why is it so hard in today's world to garner that same type of mobilization and passion?" We have as many passionate people today as back then and God knows there are a ton of heart wrenching causes. A friend of mine answered that questions in a few simple words:

"It's because we no longer have a sense of community." and she is right.

This piece I saw in the Sept 21 issue of Time hit a nerve, while the focus of the article speaks towards consumerism it would seem that this particular action of consumerism has brought people together. When the Time poll concluded that 68% of Americans "think they do not live up to their responsibilities as citizens" - I had to wonder, what does that mean?

Perhaps we are not passionate about our responsibilities or is it we are afraid to speak out for fear we won't be perceived well or not "politically correct". I'm not sure what that means anymore and maybe that's part of the problem, what is bringing us together? What is galvanizing us? What is keeping us from being stronger?

I recently saw Gallagher on his "Stuck in the 60's" tour http://www.gallaghersmash.com/ at 63 he is as witty and bright as ever and exercising freedom of speech to a brand new generation. So in the words of the "smartest man alive" : Freedom of speech includes volume.

That's right my bald headed friend: Crank it up, and let's get responsible in style!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Saturday, September 19, 2009

HOW TO: Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Talk Like a Pirate Day is today - Sept 19, 2009 - learn how to talk Pirate.
So Yo-Ho matey, aye!

Cap'n Mike signing off

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The National Parks: America's Best Idea | PBS

I love the tag line ". . . as Americans we're not only connected to this land, we're connected by it." How simple an idea is that?

I know where I'll be on Sept 27 at 8pm EST - where will you be?

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Be Careful what you Tweet

I was playing with this Google auto search feature - how many of us Google our name?  I swear it's not vanity, the results may surprise you.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Where%20can%20I%20see%20michaelsola's%20official%20website 

So some of the results I expected, but then I started seeing some listings that looked, well - odd.  Thanks to the searching and API tools that have integrated Twitter posts into organizations web sites my name was showing up in some odd places.  

While I try and I'll say that again - TRY to be mindful of what I always say, I don't always think where it will end up. 

 
A few weeks back I did a post related to the obstacles I had using my insurance companies searching tools to find a Physical Therapist - after the first 4 attempts of dialing disconnected numbers I had my doubts of finding anybody in the Reston VA area.  Simply using the word Reston with NO hashtag or anything related to a web site or follower got me listed in a Reston web site.  

So regardless of where you contribute your thoughts or comments keep in mind, the online world is more integrated than you think.  

Specialization without integration is fragmentation - Peter Forbes

Posted via email from Michael's posterous

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

FernyBlog.net » Ellen DeGeneres: New judge of American Idol!

So - Ellen D, next judge on American Idol - you go girl! I've always like Ellen going way back. Should be a whole new twist!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous