A Paradigm Shift For Radical Communities
I believe the next trend of the internet movement will leap beyond expanding software capabilities, with a more steady, aggressive focus on the people-driven communities we build around them. My intuition tells me that internet community participation is still somewhat niche, but standing on the sideline and peering over the fence, is more common. It feels “safe” on the sideline; you can watch, but you don’t feel comfortable joining in.
The shift will occur when it will feels safer to participate, rather than just stare in awe.
This will happen with trust.
Online participation is still geared towards younger generations, which is because we grew up on it. It’s comfortable, even too comfortable at times. This is not to say that there are not older, influential innovators participating online (there are), but the majority of the radical open outcry on the web is from younger voices. These are voices with reason and merit, but the outlets aren’t necessarily pointed in the correct direction to encourage change. This is because it is easy to state your vision, but harder to execute.
The shift will occur when these younger voices emerge as leaders, rather than just bandwidth noise.
This will happen with recognition.
My thesis is that the communities we build around our businesses will become more valuable and influential than the business itself. More importantly, my near-term hope is that the internet will mirror the ideal real-world, where niche, radical innovation can be spread and acted upon, and respect is given as it is received. Even more importantly, my long-term hope is that the ideal internet world will then reflect back on the real-word. Eventually, the gap will close, and people will act online as they do in the real-world. There will be no difference. It will hurt at first, but we will adapt.
The shift will occur through organized leadership, participation and a push from those with a voice to make it happen.
This will happen with time.
My ultimate prediction, and hope, is that we will be connected universally, all of us, as educators and innovators. Open, equal education with vast online resources for anyone that wants it, encouraged by governments and world leaders. Those that participate give back what they take, and vice versa. A place that does not mirror the real-world, but is the real-world.
The shift will occur when you start a community, without fear that your ideas will be neglected.
This will happen with curiosity, irreverence, imagination and a sense of humor.
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