Societal change.
When societies gather they often do so because of a big idea. When we look back through history societies have appeared or disappeared (and been reformed) when a big change has happened. The change isn’t often catastrophic and may take a generation or two, but in historical terms that’s still seismic. As an example, the industrial revolution fundamentally changed society, for ever, over the course of just a few decades.
In those times the loudest voices are not always the ones to listen too, popularity, particularly of ideas, might not be a good guide.
I was reading CK’s Blog tonight which highlights this in her post : Actually, great minds (don’t) think alike. Her point is that:
… the voices that have started movements, led scientific breakthroughs and developed technological advancements were small at first. But they sure had big ideas that gathered momentum.
I think that’s right, and as she goes on to say, that means that some of the quiet voices of today are talking about the things that we will see tomorrow and are being dismissed and distrusted by those around us. Perhaps some of these are embedded in our predictions for 2009.
The noisy told us that the failure of a bank in the UK (Northern Rock) and the difficulties of sub-prime mortgage lenders were a temporary issue, the quieter voices went unheard, for a while.
Mother Theresa achieved much yet never forced her views on others.
The learning here is that we need to be careful not to dismiss those who say things quietly to small audiences. Increasingly, authority on the societal web is being given to those whose following is large, who strive to build a larger band of those who seek out their content for it’s wisdom, because the wisdom of crowds helps ensure that it has quality too. It is a good measure, but a harder one is to find the quiet voice of authority and recognise it for it’s value.
Societies honour those whose quiet, unassuming work over time brings benefit to others, how will we do that in the Societal Web, for do it we surely must.
Twitter this… Click here >>
