It only seems natural that online social networking would be utilized by everyone, and this trend has made its way into the world of Social Good. Websites, emails, and other methods of getting in touch with fellow do-gooders has become a new avenue to get people to get together to do whatever it is that they enjoy doing.
One such network, Razoo, hosts a social networking site for those who want to come together to share what's going on in the world. It is really great that we have the capability to connect so easily with each other. Although, I have to admit when I first heard about all of this I was a little confused. When I think of social change, and getting people together to make a difference, the internet doesn't really come to mind. I always think of those types of efforts being more face to face and actually going out and doing something. I know that a site like Razoo can make giving and updating others about efforts is a great tool, but something about it seems to easy. I think that such a lofty goal as "social change" needs to be a little more out there where the public can see it. Let's face it, when a person is online they are going to their favorite sites and looking for what they are interested in and if we aren't looking for something, chances are they will be harder to stumble upon.
Another site trying to promote some of these same concepts is Fatdoor. Some of their ideas include a network for neighborhoods to help out the elderly, or sending money to a local grocery store for a homeless person. Personally, I have a hard time with these ideas. Are we so out of touch with our neighbors that we need to actually look them up from the comfort of our own homes? And why can't we just give the homeless person a couple of dollars? I mean really people, not everything needs to be on the internet. We need to be concerned about the three dimensional people too. It's wonderful that we can bring people together, but when you live on the same block, just go outside...
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Taking the "Social" out of "Social Good"
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2 comments:
While I agree that there is something to be said about going out on your own and doing some social "good" I think you're missing some of the key aspects that creators of social good social networking sites are trying to capture and utilize.
1. Getting people who previously didn't know each other together all around the fact that they both want to for ex. rake leaves for people
2. Legitimizing donations: when you hand a homeless person some money you hope that they are using it to buy food or clothing or something needed when unfortunately frequently that money goes to drugs or other unsavory things. When you use one of these sites and partner up with others to as you mentioned donate money to a grocery store for those same homeless people not only does it legitimize where your money is going but for the charities that dole out these goods it also looks better than you just showing up with some random food.
I agree with your assessment that we seem to be a little out of touch with reality if we need to donate online money that we can give in person, just down the road. I think you raise a very valid point, and I agree, why doesn't giving cash down the street suffice? Are they trying to get a tax deduction? Or, do they want greater vulnerability with regard to getting their credit card information and their identity stolen? I think that initiating a cash transaction with the guy down the street is just as helpful, and certainly better for my own conscious. I don't need, necessarily, a digital record of everything that I do.
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