Comments on: Banality: The Curse of Economic Success http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/03/banality-the-curse-of-economic-success a blog about the connected age Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:54:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: gingajoy http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/03/banality-the-curse-of-economic-success#comment-223 gingajoy Thu, 16 Mar 2006 03:54:32 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/03/banality-the-curse-of-economic-success#comment-223 i recently got into a similar debate with a friend of mine, who (even though she has not read any) decried all blogs, and actually equated them with a general moral decline, and falling of the values of "patience and perseverance" for "real" writing, and "real" relationships. (yes, i took her out--she's not normally that preachy, though). my main argument with her, and with all that "blog" rhetoric, is that the blog is merely a medium. it's the context that matters (or market, to use your term). of course, in the contexts you mention, blogs can make a difference--or networking technologies can. i have actually worked with some grass roots organizations in africa on how to harness the internet for change. i get the typical "how can the internet change anything if they don;t have food and water?" argument. valid, but, well--despite what you might believe, africa is very networked in certain contexts. i.e. the NGOS and other orgs all have access, and can share resources, information, post downloadable materials for community-based field work. (posters, worksheets, literacy materials). when ever people decry "blogs" or "television" I say, it's a bit like moaning about the printing press. i recently got into a similar debate with a friend of mine, who (even though she has not read any) decried all blogs, and actually equated them with a general moral decline, and falling of the values of “patience and perseverance” for “real” writing, and “real” relationships. (yes, i took her out–she’s not normally that preachy, though). my main argument with her, and with all that “blog” rhetoric, is that the blog is merely a medium. it’s the context that matters (or market, to use your term). of course, in the contexts you mention, blogs can make a difference–or networking technologies can. i have actually worked with some grass roots organizations in africa on how to harness the internet for change. i get the typical “how can the internet change anything if they don;t have food and water?” argument. valid, but, well–despite what you might believe, africa is very networked in certain contexts. i.e. the NGOS and other orgs all have access, and can share resources, information, post downloadable materials for community-based field work. (posters, worksheets, literacy materials).

when ever people decry “blogs” or “television” I say, it’s a bit like moaning about the printing press.

]]> By: Serge Lescouarnec http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/03/banality-the-curse-of-economic-success#comment-222 Serge Lescouarnec Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:22:13 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/03/banality-the-curse-of-economic-success#comment-222 Anne I think it is because we tend to ask how can we be more productive. Some human activities are not productive of themselves (like reading, taking a walk, watching the river flow, learning how to breathe, yoga). They do tend to improve our 'quality' of life though. When I thought of these different approaches, it made me look at the way I should offer my concierges services in a different light. Serge Biz Site: http://www.njconcierges.com Blog: http://sergetheconcierge.typepad.com Anne

I think it is because we tend to ask how can we be more productive.
Some human activities are not productive of themselves (like reading, taking a walk, watching the river flow, learning how to breathe, yoga). They do tend to improve our ‘quality’ of life though.

When I thought of these different approaches, it made me look at the way I should offer my concierges services in a different light.

Serge
Biz Site:
http://www.njconcierges.com
Blog:
http://sergetheconcierge.typepad.com

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