People connecting beats everything else
Stewart Brand notes from a Long Now presentation by a Bush Whitehouse insider.
Meanwhile in the world the US has a severe “credibility deficit,” especially with the people in other nations. He said that his organization, The Rendon Group, has done detailed research on how the United States is perceived in Islamic countries. The universal message from Muslims was, “You look at us but you do not see us.” As for whether they felt positive or negative about the US, three groups emerged. Those who had some direct or even indirect contact with American people felt largely positive about the US. Those with more distant contact thought of the US only in terms of its corporations, such as McDonald’s, and had a more negative view. Those with no contact at all thought of the US strictly in terms of its government, and had the most negative view of all.
“This is the key,” Rendon said. “The strength and credibiliity of the American people must be reflected in our government.”
What we’re doing with person to person media is connecting. Real connections, people in conversation. Between individuals, between individuals representing organizations, between individuals across the globe. In a way that our mass media system never was able to - and wasn’t designed for by no means.
Interesting taxonomy he outlines. No connection=The view as the state. Somewhat of a connection=The corporations. Those with a deep connection=Individuals.
Could it really be that simple?
July 19th, 2006 at 12:22 am
I think it just may be that simple — at least on the surface.
Those of us who have had the opportunity to make individual connections, know that there is more to a country than its government, but at the same time it is frustrating to watch governments act different from their people. The US is a fine example.
Corporations are really hyper-national in my opinion.