Everyone21 and/or Jim

The power of now. It’s exciting, amazing 2 move around the world virtually at the speed of light, 2 attend or effectively taking part at events of many different kind, from sport events to movie premiere to news conference or political defining moments or whatever, without the awkwardness of moving, the awkwardness of a physical presence. Media have broadened our perception since many years by now, but they have been offering all but an interactive experience –in technical terms, reminiscence of my former job, they have been offering us the “couch-potato experience”: to be clear, I’ve nothing against this, there are many times I like 2 be a couch-potato, and sometimes I’m relieved not to have 2 be anything more. To be honest, there has been social interactivity even at that time; we could share our impressions and feelings with relatives, neighbours, colleagues, friends, people within our closer group or club, we could write letters or connect to a chat room; and, again, these are activities we shouldn’t of course give up now.
Then social networks arrived, ties blew up across the web and more, and the game changed. Because now we can live the moment, we can make the moment, both at a Ustream webcast, at a YouTube gathering and at events with a much wider participation. A self-integrated multimedia platform nowadays can provide this kind of ‘power’ virtually 2 anyone, since consideration, feedbacks, realization of our pursuits rely only upon our ideas, passion and skills, and step by step we build our identity across the network, that becomes a passport 2 take the stage.
I think this is a great technological achievement, that is getting organized, and a remarkable social change, because it offers new wonderful opportunities 4 growing on each other experience and identity, 4 learning and teaching each other, 4 simply sharing and pursuing our passions. And I think that, like anything new, this change requires 2 mix together pioneering and preparation, speaking and listening, and a responsible approach. The speed of now can be dazzling, and thereof misleading. Excitement can easily turn into euphoria, engagement into frustration, if we don’t take the steering-wheel of our personal trip along this experience, if we don’t evaluate that results can follow defining moments at a speed anytime different, depending even merely on context, if we don’t consider that the awkwardness of real is its delightful completion.
By the way, this week my attention has been dominated by two events: the World Cup and the Spill. The on-going investigation in Congress, together with the efforts 2 fix and refund, keep drawing my eyes and fingers on the keyboard. I’d like 2 do more, I’d like more -something could be already more- had been done before 2 prevent this nightmare.
The World Cup had an amazing opening. Soccer can be emotionally intense even without many scores. Paraguay and Italy male national teams tied, as USA and England did. FIFA care 4 France had not a positive influence. The Germany steam train, as it has been lovingly nicknamed, hasn’t yet found a clear opponent until now… We’re asked 2 be defender and challenger at the same time, as any Champion has ever 2 be, but in the World Cup it’s a very demanding, intriguing role 2 play. USMNT has scored one of the best start as a newcomer in this discipline, among the ones I mentioned at least. There is still a long way ahead up…

Yours,
Massimiliano

p.s. darting 2 the stadium 4 completion… q = m x v (only 4 fans)