Truth, Will & Relevance
Regular blogging has taken a back seat for the past while as I finish book. I know I suggested I’d be self-publishing something months ago, but every time I get it into the shape I want it, the impression I get from ‘the whole’ inspires vast improvements — not just being picky about things, but substantial improvements in coherence, credibility, etc.
What began as basically a blog-to-book collection of posts has morphed into something that reads like a somewhat carefully plotted argument, or proposal — though it didn’t come together arbitrarily; I have a lot of old outlines in my head. It’s the book I tried writing a few years ago (before I started a blog) but kept getting hung. The intervening practice and real-world points of reference have been just what the doctor ordered. It was also a matter of being right too soon, I think. Most people (myself included, most of the time) only want to hear what we’re already starting to think but haven’t quite managed to articulate.
Anyway, it’s called Truth, Will & Relevance. It’s about how we think about the profound challenges and opportunities in our world, which continue to surprise, energize, and inspire me with awe every single day. From crazy stock market crashes to crazy elections, riots against hard economic realities, to massive oil spills and tension between industrialism versus whatever-we-call-what-comes-next, there’s a lot to think about — a lot I’ve already thought about — and a lot of opportunity to radically reshape the way we think and talk about these things.
That’s what I love. That’s what I’ve done… In the mean time I don’t have a lot of spare words to blog with. For now here are a few more things I’m getting out to do:
PodCamp London 2010
Is tomorrow! (Saturday, May 8)
I’m on the organizing team — though my contribution is embarrassingly meagre compared to what Bill Deys, Titus Ferguson, Kevin Van Lierop, and John Leschinski have done. (They’re probably working on it right now while I’m sitting here writing about it.) Regardless, I’m tremendously proud and looking forward to a great day. The schedule is almost full of diverse, interesting sessions, and the Convergence Centre at UWO’s Research Park looks like an awesome venue (and I look forward to more cool things happening there).
That’s all I really need to say for now. If you don’t know, now you know. The plan is to stream the sessions, so if you’re curious check PodCampLondon.com for the link on Saturday. You can follow on Twitter via #pclo10 (there will be a lot of volume on that).
GenNext Timeraiser
Is Thursday, May 13.
The folks at the United Way are doing a lot of creative things to get younger demographics involved in philanthropy. Timeraiser is an especially interesting one. The idea is that instead of pledging money, people pledge time — perhaps an even more valuable form of capital. The good thing (I think) about framing it like this is that when we donate time as volunteers, we aren’t just giving, we’re getting something back as well — not just as reciprocity, but largely by way of the social capital we create in our communities.
To pull it off, GenNext has partnered with Pillar Non-Profit Network, London Community Foundation, and the London Arts Council, in order to coordinate an art auction that will be the focal point and driving force of Thursday’s event.
I’m usually too reticent about volunteering — as I am about nearly everything — so things like this are a great nudge to get more engaged. More details here.
ChangeCamp London
Is coming together — though I’m not sure how much I can say at this point. We have a date and a few possible venues. If you have suggestions or want to contribute in any way, contact me and I’ll let the other organizers know. Some background is available via london.changecamp.ca and my post about it is here in case you missed it.
The idea is to “re-imagine government and citizenship in the age of participation.” That includes citizen engagement, open data, encouraging government to use open standards and open source software — and just having a more open mindset in general — while we as citizens need to assume more responsibility and initiative.
Note that ChangeCamp London is just one aspect of a lot of great, related projects that are gathering steam in the city. Open data is on the radar, thanks largely to the guys at rTraction and their EatSure project.
We’ll hear about other things happening in the near future as well… For now I have to say it really feels great to be a part of all of this with people who are actually making things happen.
