Tech publication CNET recently covered the politically-inspired walkout of Google employees, quoting from Brian Solis’ thoughts on the subject.
If you had one hour with Mark Zuckerberg, what would you ask? Here’s what I learned about the state and future of Facebook, data, politics and bad actors
onstine In the wake of Cambridge Analytica, data misappropriation, #deletefacebook, calls for regulation and pending testimony to U.S. Congress, Facebook announced a series of initiatives to restrict data access and also a renewed selfie awareness to focus efforts on protecting people on the platform. What’s more notable however is that Mark Zuckerberg also hosted a last-minute, rare town hall with media and analysts to explain these efforts and also take tough questions for the better part of an hour. Let’s…
Silicon Valley Uncovered: The evolution of tech, media and its impact on society
In 2010, my dear friend Hermione Way invited me as the first-ever guest on her then new show, “Silicon Valley Uncovered” for TheNextWeb. It aired on January 18th, 2011. I share this with you because the conversation, while several years old now, is strangely better suited for today and the modern times in which we live and work. I’m not even sure how I stumbled across this interview. To be honest, I’m taken aback by how prescient and philosophical this conversation…
The technology behind psychographic marketing can be used for good, evil or…advertising
This year, I was given the opportunity to present in Dubai at OMD Predicts, an event that explores the future of media, consumerism and brand. To be honest, it was my first time stepping out of the Dubai airport. In the past, Dubai was only a stop over en route to other countries. Needless to say, I was excited. Following my presentation, I met with Austyn Allison from Campaign Middle East in the lobby of the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi…
The Age of Transparency in Digital Politics
Guest post by Minter Dial @mdial on social, transparency and politics using the recent French Presidential election between Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande as a case study The paths of social media and politics would seem to be inextricably linked. Politics has proven, in many countries, to be a great way to “democratize” social media, or the other way around. During the Arab Spring, social media helped inspire a change in regime. In the US, social media clearly contributed to…
A Social Democracy: The White House learns to listen
We are now entering an era of sociopolitical influence, a framework for governments that influences and is influenced by its constituencies through real life interaction and now, new media. Some may say that this isn’t anything new. Certain governments over the years embraced the aspects of digital community in Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Many also believe that President Obama is the first “Social Media” President. I, however, am a far more pragmatic optimist. While many governments and also President…
How World Leaders use Social Media: Why the @WhiteHouse doesn’t follow @BarackObama & other idiosyncrasies
Guest post by Matthias Lüfkens, Associate Director of Media, World Economic Forum – Follow him on Twitter Twitter is redefining the way we communicate – and that includes our world leaders: 15 of the G20 governments use it. But the question is who follows who, who doesn’t follow who, and do world leaders even realize the diplomatic significance of their tweets and Twitter friendships? Barack Obama was the first to use the micro-blogging service to communicate with his electorate in…
Will You Lead, Follow, Ignore? The Choice is Yours
Yes, while it’s a bit dramatic, its design is intentional. This is a rare moment in history where, if we take “social” media out of the discussion and we stop looking at Twitter and Facebook for just a moment, we can focus on what’s truly important. Right here, right now, what makes this time so special, is you… This is about empowerment. This is about not just having a voice or the ability to express it, but to connect people…
Barack Obama, The Social Web, and the Future of User-Generated Government
What follows is the unedited version of my latest post for TechCrunch, “Is Obama Ready To Be a Two-Way President. Barack Obama’s flickr stream Where there’s victory, there’s also opportunity… America voted while the entire world watched and listened. Whether you supported Obama or McCain, we equally shared the hope for positive change and a new beginning towards a brighter future. This Presidential election was the first in 50 years, in which there was no incumbent President or Vice President…
