I’m behind on my reading (ok, very behind).

That’s about five Wired’s behind the current edition and have stacks of books and other publications, awaiting being thumbed. I have an odd approach to managing my library, but books and magazines in stacks are those I believe I need to read to expand my knowledge — as opposed to those I buy and quickly find their way to a bookshelf — probably assuming the knowledge will miraculously seep into my brain!

Anyhow, from a ‘recent’ Wired I read the article on the impending end of privacy and found the following quote…

We are sharing because it brings benefit. We meet people, make friends and stay connected. We spread ideas. We get attention. We gather information. We gain trust through transparency. We collaborate through openness. We are learning how to use our new tools to organise movements. We cross borders. We entertain ourselves… We question authority”

This is Jeff Jarvis writing — but it sums up part of why I do what I do. Why I think that the type of blended online and real-world networks that I try to develop make sense. Why I think that it’s good to have a local focus, with international input. Why I think there is room for cross-city twinning projects and why the photography group I started thinks first about open, sharing and friendly before it talks about technology or output.

As Jeff pointed out half a billion people now actively share. It’s as if the human race was waiting for Facebook (and it’s pals) for the leap in inter-personal relationships that the telegraph and before it the horse-back messenger did for civilisation. For those who think Facebook is the end of all that is good, I think you’re mistaken. For all the wrong things there are with it, there are too many good ones to end it. It isn’t a dishwasher — it isn’t just a tool to make people’s lives easier — it’s one to enhance and develop.

Social networks are just the eventual and logical development of the camp fire camaraderie after a day’s hunting. They are also a great way of connecting people who can’t be together; the thing we’ve still to learn is – how to balance our on and off line lives. I’m not sure any of us can honestly say we’ve got that 100% right yet!