Archive for April, 2008

Information Galaxy

What has Wonderwebby been wondering about? My mind has been wondering and wandering the milky way of social media. I’ve been thinking about information aggregators and the determined yet haphazard way I hop between information, clickety click, lickity split. Dip in, dip out, weaving a thread of conversation through my web hopping antics. Email and RSS, Feedreaders, wikis, blogs, Twhirl and Instant Messaging, Friendfeeds and Flocks, Facebook, podcasts, videos, virtual worlds and social networks. I’ve been thinking that we are somehow missing the mark in creating a seamless interface of interactive, personal, flexible, conversational streaming information.

glowing orbs
Photo by the Paper Boat

It’s a new information paradigm. We want access to information and networks that are alive. We create interfaces that aggregate all of our feeds. It’s noisy. At times we need to turn the noise off and create filters. And then these filters could have some kind of fuzzy logic. Imagine you are typing something and your feeds of information start to filter through recent discussions, postings and people related to your content. Then as you explore - you create a virtual golden thread of navigation, a kind of timeline of interaction that you can swing along, planting stars amongst your very own information galaxy. Perhaps using your avatar in a Tron-like experience. Okay, now my mind really is wandering. And reading Feed yesterday didn’t help tame my imagination. But I do wonder what a better user experience might be like, in the context of an information galaxy with stars that sparkle and shine – and many others to find.

Helping Orphans

A 26 year old friend who had been running a business for five years while raising money for worthwhile causes around the world, found herself bankrupt after her business plans went awry. What did she do? She decided to volunteer in Uganda to assist at Watoto Baby Bullrushes home, to nurture children abandoned due to AIDS or other hardships – who are then placed in caring homes. She recently received some money to help with her own living expenses and immediately purchased 100 exercise books for school children who had none.

felicity holding a baby

I’m glad to know people like Felicity. And I’m glad I can read about her adventures and comment on photos through her blog and Facebook.

Soul Writer

I caught a glimpse of Mel Brooks talking on Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope. I loved what he had to say about authentic expression and writing from your soul.

ANDREW DENTON: … you made a very interesting comment once where, just almost in brackets, you said, ‘fame the enemy’. What does having a huge hit like that do to your work, do to your career?

MEL BROOKS: First of all two things. One, unconsciously you get lazy, you feel, well, it’s like you’ve climbed somewhere and you’ve hit a plateau. So you say well, I’ll sit down, I’m famous so I don’t have to worry about it, which is very bad for creative people. Creative people should always be striving, they should always be hungry, they should be looking for the next place to go. And secondly, the terrible thing is that the audience, it stops you from experimenting because the audience gets jaded, they want a hit, they want a big success, and so you don’t want to experiment because you say, well, I’ll disappoint the audience, they may not like it, I better do something that I think is more commercial. And nobody knows, no creative writer knows what is commercial and what isn’t. You just write from your heart, you write from the deepest, creative urges in you, and you write from your soul, and you just either get lucky or not.

When we use social media and engage in social networks we are more aware of our potential “audience” than ever before. Do you stick with a formula, based on what you suppose people might like to read? I like the notion of writing from your soul, being authentic in what we say and seeking a pure, fun kind of creative ethic. Do you?

a coloured glass ball
Photo by Okavanga Delta

Powerful Writing

You may have heard that in order to lead, you need to serve. In my experience, words only have power when they serve us in their readability and intent. If words brag and parade in order to make their point, they lose all their power. I’m sharing some questions I ask myself when I want to write “more than just another blog post about nothing.”


writer’s block?

Is my message simple? Sometimes the simplest message can be more powerful than a lengthy and elaborate blog post. Don’t be afraid to state the obvious. Powerful writing delivers a message.

Am I speaking with authority? Write about things you feel comfortable with, topics you know about, things that inspire you and discuss with your friends so that your style is natural. Powerful writing speaks with authority.

What is my message? It’s one of the reasons I use the search engine un-friendly two word headings. If I can’t sum it up in two words, I probably don’t have a clear message. Powerful writing communicates clearly and simply.

Am I willing to be bold? Never say no to a writing adventure. Speak with authority, but take a risk. Step outside of your comfort zone. Try a different writing style. Respond to a meme (like this one) or volunteer to contribute to a book ;) Powerful writing takes a risk and hopes to dream.

Does it make any difference (or So What)? Is it something my children would be proud of? I always wonder what would happen if they stumbled across my blog archives in years to come. Sentimental as it might seem, it tends to be a good gauge of quality writing for me. Powerful writing makes a difference or has a purpose.

There you have it. Powerful writing delivers a message, speaks with authority, communicates simply, takes a risk and makes a difference.

This post is in response to a writing challenge by Joanna Young from Confident Writing who asks “What does powerful writing mean to you?” You can respond by writing a post, writing a guest post or sending her a one line summary via email or Twitter.

Lovin’ Technology

I never would have imagined I would end up working in IT. I studied design, media and animation, not computer science! My final year of high school was spent studying drama, art, languages and the token compulsory science subject. IT was never recommended to me by teachers or family as a career choice.

i see the light
Photo by okovanga delta

And here I am, working for IBM. Guess what? I love technology. I’m amazed to see how technology is improving the way we communicate. New media mashes up the medium. Virtual worlds are bringing a new dimension to traditional online interaction. I’m impressed with the way social media helps people to connect with each other, share knowledge and ideas. Purposeful innovation using technology is a wonderful thing. There is so much potential for emerging technologies to improve the way we live, communicate, do business and help one another. Web2.0 has made the difference for me.

Who would have thought working in IT could be so creative?


2010 WonderThemes

View Jasmin Tragas's profile on LinkedIn
About Wonderwebby - by Jasmin Tragas - creative and digital media allsorts - mother - imagining new ways to make a difference
Twitter: wonderwebby
Disclaimer: the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent my employer’s positions, strategies or opinions.

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