The Commons.

How much do you do for them?

How much does anyone do these days to preserve and expand the Commons?

I tell you what: one man is definitely improving our collective resources. He’s Howard Rheingold: prolific writer, passionate speaker, virtual community expert, and all around colorful fella.

Have you ever felt smothered by a system bottling up the best of you? Do you ever wonder why you stare at a glowing screen or let others dictate what gets your attention?

Howard does. This best-selling author and TED Talk speaker has been thinking about the evolution of information for decades. He can see the crossroads of isolated patterns when you and I see nothing at all.

But he’s humble and mindful. He’s deeply aware of how much he knows … and how much he doesn’t know. One thing’s for sure, though:

The problem with the Commons is that they can be enclosed. – Howard Rheingold

[Tweet that]

I also agree whole-heartedly with this statement:

The more I share, the more that comes back to me. – Howard Rheingold

Howard’s credentials are impressive, but it’s his uncommon perspective and unexpected experience that you’ll really dig. Find out what happens when Smart and Simple Matters meets Smart Mobs and Net Smart. You’re in for a whole lotta smart!

You’re about to Learn …

* Why we need to preserve the Commons (and what happens if we don’t).

* How to think about what you want to think about.

* When intentional actions turn into unintentional actions.

* Why you should thank the U.S. Department of Defense (it’s not what you think).

* If you’re in control of where your attention goes.

* How curating makes you more conscious about consumption.

* Why you – and everyone else – benefits when you curate publicly.

* Why Howard and I rebel against conformity and specialization.

Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode:

* Websites:

* Howard’s Bio

* DML Central

* SimpleREV

* David Bollier (for The Commons)

* Michel Bauwens (P2P Foundation)

* On the Commons

* Resources:

* Rheingold University

* The Refuge of Simplicity

* Pomodoro Technique

* Homago Geekouts

* Doug Engelbart’s Impact

* Books:

* The Virtual Community

* Smart Mobs

* Videos:

* Howard Rheingold interviews Robin Good

* Howard on Social Media

* Twitter

Topics

* [03:06] Howard’s seeds of awesomeness

* [10:25] The depths of infotention

* [17:59] Making decisions when you’re online

* [23:11] The benefits of curation

* [27:00] Repairing the Commons

* [37:32] The origins of our modern media

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