http://tech.mn

Exhibit A: Tehran, Iran.  That’s happening-like now.  In many instances, faster, more original, and arguably more objective than our traditional media sources.

Interesting analysis from Forbes on the matter . Oh, and this just in from the Times 1 minute ago.

Notice the real time Twitter results.  I don’t think I’ve yet to appreciate the potential impact here.

Exhibit B: Gaza

Call from UN expert for international sanctions.  No short matter.

Again, a real time, albiet (currently) smaller, revolution in the making.  I have to believe that “free” modern communications technology is exacerbating these  “causes”.  I could be wrong?

Curiosity asks:  “Is there any reason why we shouldn’t preserve the integrity of our global digital communications at all costs?”

If we really need to ask, here’s one of the engineers behind this whole web thing saying it how it is.  It’s time, once again, to re-address this topic and ensure that we are fulfilling our commitment to the principles of  “Net Neutrality” & ultimately reaffirm our  moral obligation to a free digital press.  I’d encourage you, my visitor, to do you’re own independent research and form your own conclusions.

“You can’t be neutral on a moving train.” – Howard Zinn

“Net Neutrality” is also a commercial threat as much as a social one.   “Net Neutrality”, to this point in time, is a financially motivated scheme at the convergence of the “internet” & “commerce”.   If you’re thinking a few steps ahead, do digital business,  and are into risk management, one project that I participate in is making a local push for greater awareness, appreciation, and policy action on a local level as it pertains to “Net Nuetrality”, defined as:

“A principle proposed for user access networks participating in the Internet that advocates no restrictions on content, sites, or platforms, on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, and on the modes of communication allowed, as well as communication that is not unreasonably degraded by other traffic.” – via Wikipedia

Keywords: local. Contact me if you’d be open/interested in connecting around this space, the ball is already rolling.

Best,

Jeff

• Entrepreneurialism  is exciting.  The mind must be comfortable with the gray, nebulous, abstract, and unknown.   Keeping your  eyes wide open at all times gets tiring but can be practiced, conditioned, and perfected (so I hear).

• Collaboration is king.  An entrepreneur must strategically draw from the energy, skills,  ideas, and time of those with similar objectives.    Nothing original here, but supremely challenging and thus rewarding.

• Lovecats are where it’s at.  As we all learned in kindergarten, there are those that share and those that don’t.  Associate with lovecats, add value everywhere, lead by example, and deliver on action – not words.

• Details rule.  Every message, every note, every word of every conversation has capacity and potential.  Say less, mean more.

• Prompt and clear communication is an art.  Respond to everyone, quickly, even if to postpone the dialogue to a more convenient time.   If you’re overextended, make it clear up front so you don’t damage your personal brand by blowing people off.

• Very few understand you, what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it.  Get closer with those that get it, moral support is critical.

• Be relevant with those that are relevant to you.   Develop & maintain deep relationships with good people that parallel your ambitions.

• Selling out is harder than it seems but mandatory.

• Everyone can sprint; a balanced mind and body is essential to sustainability.

• Although one can increase the probability of success, it ultimately remains uncertain.  One thing that can be achieved with certainty is value through learning experiences.

Surely I’m not the only one to notice the increase in commercial orgs promoted on google maps. I’m very curious to learn if this is an add-on/upgrade as part of an ad campaign on behalf of the respective org -or- if Google has taken the liberty to self-select what appears on these maps.

1. http://www.searchtempest.com

Ever use craigslist? My guess is everyone has surfed craigslist at one point in time or another – for one reason or another – and I’ve been seeking a comprehensive a craigslist search tool forever. Part of the appeal of craigslist is the obvious simplistic approach; they don’t seem to be to eager to change things even if it means more functionality. Due to craigslist’s philosophy and TOS, there aren’t a lot of legit 3rd party tools out there that actually integrate well with the service. Searchtempest.com seems to have figured it out and has created a (beta) app that allows users to search multiple locations at once. Solid.

2. http://www.Hankshelper.com

From the same creator comes Hankshelper.com. Hankshelper is focused on the car search space and they compile results from craigslist, ebay motors, autotrader, cars.com, automotive.com, and carsdirect in a simple format. It’s the definition of an aggregate tool that will save people time and hassle.  Also clearly in beta but fully functional.

How can 6,000 words from such a smart man leave me feeling so stupid?

Personally, I agree with many of the points he makes surrounding the “collateral consequences” of “naked transparency”.  These trade-off’s are nothing new.  If his push is toward election/fund raising reform then he could have shaved off about 3,000 words and actually made a stronger case in the process.

But, what’s the objective? Be controversial? Debate? PR/Press? Unclear…

My issue is with the sheer volume of content he applies to (unsuccessfully) support the title of his piece.   Of course I kept reading, thinking that somewhere along the line he was going to tie it all together…unfortunately not.  There is a complete disconnect between the title and the supporting argument.   What a disappointing display from someone I highly regard.

Lawrence Lessig defending his senseless article

• net neutrality
• censorship
• free (online) speech
• DMCA
• bandwidth throttling

If so, I’d like to connect with a few other people around aforementioned topics for a project I’m developing.

Thanks!

nonprofits2.0 from change.org – a blog/dialogue centered around the convergence of non-profits and web 2.0.  Tips, tricks, resources, data, etc.

Social Media & Non-profit case study

Socialactions.com – a massive resource for contributing, leveraged for micro-causes.

Razoo.com – a micro-donations tool

GiveMN.org – a localized (Minnesota) platform for connecting, contributing, and initiating change.

10 Twitter tips for non-profits from change.org

Youtube’s non-profit program – a unique non-profit channel with a load of benefits for distributing AV content

If anyone has any other relevant links/resources, please leave a comment as this list will be updated regularly

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“…the privilege (not the right) of delivering anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who actually want to get them. It recognizes the new power of the best consumers to ignore marketing. It realizes that treating people with respect is the best way to earn their attention.”

The phrase was originated by Seth Godin nearly a decade ago; ironically, Godin is the keynote speaker arranged for the MIMA Summit on Oct 5th.

I understand  “permission” can be a gray area – open to interpretation and relative to individualistic preferences – but, isn’t it better to be safe when dealing with such delicate commodities as people’s time and attention?

MIMA has pushed it’s permission limits and abused its right to email me for three specific reasons – surely I am not alone!

1) I have received no less than 6 email messages from MIMA within the last 30 days (July 31-today) and I’m willing to bet that I would have received at least one more before the end of August (had I not unsubscribed today), since they’re marketing me every 4 days on average.  I’m not even registered for the Summit;  I wonder if registrants are getting an inordinate amount of communications/updates as well -or- maybe it’s just repeated attempts to coerce the uncommitted (read: sell).

Remarkability speaks for itself, I don’t need a boilerplate reminder every week for two months in advance.

2) WHY HAVE THE SUBJECT LINES FOR THE LAST THREE EMAILS BEEN IN CAPS?  CAN GODIN CONVINCE MIMA TO STOP YELLING!?!?

3) Please be human.  If you seek the need to invade my brainspace so frequently, at least show me that there’s a real-live person behind it all by returning my email should I respond (favorably) to one of your solicitations. Otherwise you’re reminiscent of egocentric, one-way, old media communications.

4) (I know I said three) but while we’re at it, what’s with the sheer volume of hyperlinks.  15 hyperlinks in one email? Sorry.

I wonder if MIMA is losing any other “permission/attention assets” with their aggressive and seemingly senseless marketing tactics?