At The Communications Network conference last week in Boston, there many valuable and practical insights into how to build better communications planning around philanthropy and social change. But what was most valuable to me were the provocative questions and inspiring stories that so many of the speakers provided.
From Eli Pariser of Moveon.org and author of The Filter Bubble, I was reminded than an algorithm is deciding what I might like to see when I enter search terms. Based on my past behavior, it decides that if I liked one fact, I’d probably like another, effectively blocking facts and ideas that might be very different from my own. The narrowing of the American mind indeed.
From America Ferrera, I learned that good works can be done in many ways, not just in volunteering or giving money which is very important but also in the professional work one does. America, at one point, thought she should drop her passion for acting because she believed she wanted to do something to better the world and felt that acting was shallow. What she learned from a wise college professor was that her acting could change lives by showing people other possibilities as she did in the movie Real Women Have Curves. As a child she dreamed one day of glamour and diamonds. As an adult she learned that once she got the diamonds, she could also give them back in many ways.
From Van Jones, I learned that there is hope for a better world, that we must raise our voices for not just a free America but a just one. Time to rebuild the American Dream.
And from Jelly Helm, I learned that asking questions is much more powerful than answering them. We should all ask ourselves:
What do I love?
What do I see that no one else sees?
What am I going to do about it?
If we all took the time to answer them, we might be more fulfilled in our work, in our philanthropy and create a society that is both free and just.
What do you think?
