Blogging angst

Lisa "M" at Rhetoric of Me has commented–I think accurately–on the anxiety in the nonprofit sector about embracing blogging and other new Internet-based communication strategies. Indeed, it seems to me that if you fire a shot in any direction in cyberspace you’re going to hit a mess of control issues. Our institutions were set up for stability, not for change. But all around is change, a lot of it facilitated by the free flowing communication channels of the Net.

I’m here to say, "You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!"  I think the changes of the 21st century are just gaining momentum. That’s why I keep pointing to the global picture. To get some insight about what’s happening (not necessarily an antidote to anxiety) I suggest reading a book by Kevin Kelly entitled, Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems and the Economic World. The book was published several years ago and was way ahead of its time. Kelly describes why a world of constant change and turbulence is emerging. Everyone is going to have to work on their own adaptive skills, but I think the book at least prepares you for the likelihood that around the bend in the river is more white water.

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