How Technology Can Promote Social Change

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

Marcia K. Sharp’s article (“A Technological Revolution for the Greater Good,” May 26) raises many points about the promise of online technology, but let us raise some additional thoughts.

First, the focus on large investments in large platforms is more exclusive and confining than it is helpful. The Internet is fertile ground, in fact, for small investments in small efforts, particularly by creative individuals who have a vision to spiral their innovations into big things. This is how Moveon.org, Meetup.com, and even eBay started. Rather than spend all our time and resources focusing on big platforms, we should be sure to seed small, agile efforts that can be sustained and scaled as usage builds.

Second, the key ingredient for social change using online media is using and leveraging networks of people. As Scott Heiferman, co-founder and CEO of Meetup.com, is fond of saying, “If this thing turns into online direct mail, count me out.”

The Internet isn’t revolutionary because it makes transactions more efficient; its groundbreaking value is that it generates new social connections that can cross geographic, economic, philosophical, and organizational barriers. More people can participate in less expensive ways, and social networks can grow and collide, creating flatter, more decentralized, less tightly controlled communities. That’s the real excitement of this revolution — not applications and gadgetry, but people who can easily and inexpensively connect to one another for learning about, engaging in, and changing the world.

Finally, in order for philanthropy (donors and institutions of giving) to succeed in this world, we will need to understand and embrace the value of sharing, connecting, and communicating.

The world of the 21st century is less proprietary; holding information under a tight wrap is increasingly ineffective as a way to maintain or gain power or position. The world of instant messages is one that young people are intuitively drawn to. Transparency is in; secrets are out. Access is in; elitism is out.

Jill Blair
Executive Director
Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement
Berkeley, Calif.

Allison Fine
CEO
E-Volve Foundation
Philadelphia