Godin and Shirky Videos

In order to create change, one must go against the status quo. The videos by Godin and Shirky both revolve around the power of the internet to create change via connection and mass communication. It seems common sense to realize how the internet can bring people together. However, in the videos the speakers analyze the great extent to which the internet is revolutionizing the way we invoke change.

Shirky discusses the power of individuals making change. He believes that the revolutionary internet makes it possible for just one person to create a movement. In his speech, Shirky articulates the enormous benefits of social networking sites. Because of social networking sites, news can be reported by the public. According to Shirky, this form of public media behooves society because there is no editing of information by politicians or news stations. He uses the example of the mass communication of an earthquake in China as it was happening via facebook and twitter. Thanks to the internet, angry Government officials were unable to cover the quake or deny not-up-to-code buildings. Shirky also refers to Americans being able to publicly disagree with Obama without being quieted. Shirky explains how the internet gives everyone a megaphone, allowing them to share their ideas with anyone who stumbles across their tweets or url's.

Unlike Shirky, Godin focuses on people coming together on the web with common interests to create movements. Godin's speech is all about interest groups now having easier access to finding members to help start a movement. By forming these factions, Godin believes it will spark a domino effect to motivate other groups. This is how Godin says changes are made. Examples he gives are the Red Hat Society and mascots. These "tribes," as Godin puts it, can find each other on the internet. Tribes can talk in forums or make websites about their interests. Godin says the point is to go against the status quo. So while Godin argues it is necessary to form groups to incite a change, Shirky believes you only need the sharing of information between individuals to start a movement.