Still Hungry, Still Foolish

We are living amidst a global revolution.

We have access. We are being heard. We are making a difference. 

 And it’s sparking new behaviors. 

It’s not only inspiring – it’s empowering.

 As I read Time’s piece, it reminded me of a common misconception around social media – that it in of itself is the revolution. 

Technology is a facilitator of human behavior, not a creator.

Time’s Kurt Anderson put it perfectly:

 “In the Middle East and North Africa, in Spain and Greece and New York, social media and smart phones did not replace face-to-face social bonds and confrontation but helped enable and turbocharge them, allowing protesters to mobilize more nimbly and communicate with one another and the wider world more effectively than ever before.”

So as we wrap up 2011, I can’t help but fixate on technology’s role on facilitating motivation and what that means for 2012.

A study by the Guardian and The London School of Economics concluded that these protesters are motivated by anger about poverty, unemployment and inequality as well as overaggressive policing.

In 2012, I hope we can redesign the relationship between cities and people. 

By that, I mean re-build systems to motivate and inspire action from a place of community, collaboration and innovation, rather than anger and displeasure.

And maybe, just maybe, Time’s 2012 Person of the Year will be “The Citizen.”

New York Times columnist Nick Bilton wrote an interesting piece questioning why passengers need to power down their electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

Bilton writes:

New technologies are often greeted with fear and that is certainly true of a disruptive technology like cellphones. Yet rules that are decades old persist without evidence to support the idea that someone reading an e-book or playing a video game during takeoff or landing is jeopardizing safety. 

In his argument, Bilton cites several studies that confirm there is no interference caused by these devices.  

Even Alec Baldwin was booted off his flight for playing Words With Friends before takeoff! 

So before your next flight, consider signing this White House petition to use our devices in airplane mode while we take off. 

(Photo credit: Joe Bertino @jjbert) 

Whether walking down Bedford or Bleecker, I’ve been observing an extreme number of people with their iPhones in-hand versus hidden inside their jean pockets.

Originally, Steve Jobs and the Apple team designed the iPod (both the Mini and Nano) to rest within the inside pocket. Smart, I agree. But lately, I can’t help but to think the iPhone is deliberately being designed to sit in the palm versus the pocket. And I don’t feel like this is by accident.

Let’s be honest guys, it’s extremely uncomfortable to walk the streets with a bulging iPhone in your pants. Not only is it not comfortable, but also totally awkward. It even stains your jeans (see above). More and more people carry their phones in-hand, even if they aren’t engaging with them. While this is great for Apple, I see an interesting innovation challenge. 

Which fashion brand will to step up to the plate and design for change?

There’s an interesting opportunity for a brand targeting hip technology nerds to design a better pair of jeans, made for the iPhone. 

If your brand is truly innovating from the inside-out, why isn’t your R&D team all over this cultural white space?

Jobs designed the shuffle for your jeans. Now it’s your turn to design the jeans for the iPhone.