Thursday, February 18, 2010

It's Time to Act

Technology is great. I just recently signed up for a LinkedIn account, hooked it to my new Twitter account, linked my Facebook and my blog to those and I have effectively created a visible online person. I love the online community because there are no boundaries. There are no visas or passports and I am free to be a citizen of the world and not just a member in a country.

We talk about America as being the most charitable nation in the world - and I believe it. I am proud of that fact. But I don't think money and supplies build bonds between nations. Material things don't promote peace or show sympathy and affection. People do.

For the greater part of history plane tickets, travel documents, hotel costs and patriotism have done a pretty good job of isolating men into individual countries - something we are all comfortable and familiar with. Because of inconveniences, we don't allow ourselves to really get to know individuals all over the world. We've been concerned with only our neighbors and communities because that is what's convenient.

I say it's time we got past the inconveniences - technology has made it possible. For years, governments have been the only institutions capable of communicating on a large scale and coordinating efforts to send soldiers over seas to wage war. Let's coordinate a greater effort. I am going to set a personal goal, and invite all of my readers to set the same goal.

Before the end of February I am going to extend a digital hand of friendship to someone overseas and who is preferably caught in the middle of the war we are waging. Maybe you say my individual efforts to promote friendship and brotherhood on a global scale won't make a difference. Maybe it won't to you - but it will to me. Who knows? Maybe if more people tried to befriend the world, it WOULD make a difference.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting thoughts dude. I wonder how big of an impact this could have, it sure seems the potential is there. I think the key is going to be getting enough people to try it out.

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  2. Just a word of caution - linkedin is usually a network people use just for employment and job searching. I think most people would warn you against connecting your personal accounts to your linkedin network because so many people's points of view are different it's very possible, in fact probable your personal life will affect your employability, just in case. I think potential employers would rather find out your personal beliefs after they've hired you, instead of factoring them into their decision.

    But I think reaching out is a great idea - let us know how it goes!

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