Powering The Edges- Social Change in the Connected Age

POWERING THE EDGES
an interactive conversation with Allison Fine
author of Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age

Jointly presented by:
PlaNetwork
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
and The Symbolic Systems Program at Stanford

Momentum outlines a new, open way of working, what Allison calls in her book "working side-to-side" that allows citizens and volunteers to participate in meaningful ways like never before. "To succeed," Allison writes, "we don't have to get bigger, just smarter, more agile, and more open. We need not become techies to do this, just more connected."

For the first part of the evening Allison will talk about some of the key themes in her book:

* Move power to the edges. Power is shifting away from institutions towards individuals in this new Connected Age. Fine shows how, civic leaders put the power for public sanitation into the hands of beachgoers by removing every trash can from a filthy New England beach, which led to pristine conditions that last;

* Replace top-down with a more democratic, side-to-side style. Fine tells how, when a broadcast giant planned to air an attack documentary, a swarm of bloggers sparked 150,000 calls to advertisers. Its stock fell; the screed never aired.

For the second part of the evening the audience will engage in small group conversation around the themes raised by Allison's talk:

1. What are the roles of institutions and organizations in the Connected Age and for social change?
2. How can we build trust across networks?
3. How can we sustain social change efforts?

We will close with a conversation with the whole room and leave time for networking.