Category Archives: Uncategorized

October 9, 2010 · 9:21 pm

Pepsi Refresh Grant

My library is preparing to submit for a Pepsi Refresh grant. As I was lingering on their site, I am struck by something HUGE. The 21st Century Skills needed for someone in today’s society are clearly present when applying for one of these grants. To apply, and likely win, you need to know how to write some sentences online, create and upload digital photos, navigate the web, and create and edit video. Many people in this country do not have the financial wherewithal to purchase all of the necessary hardware and software to create such media messages. Moreover, citizens do not know how to create or express themselves in this manner.

In reality, the Pepsi Refresh Grant, which I do not fault, silences millions of economically and educational disadvantaged Americans. Peoples voices have been taken away. They have been silenced. They have been left out of the conversation. They have been forgotten.

Messenger Public Library will submit the grant so that people can have access to means to express their voice, and the training and skills to do so.

Democratizing Information and Speak

I continue to read, ponder, and research the role technology and society has played in the democratization of information. I am trying to understand if there is a difference between the democratization of knowledge and the democratization of information. What is certain is that communication technology has changed the communication and information models. What once was a many to one model has shifted to a one to many model.

I am also thinking about the success of YOUmedia. YOUmedia is about so much more than books, writing and print, but they are still a part. Other forms of information creation, beyond the printed word (and even including the printed word), were so complex that the layperson could not create or share them. If they could not create than they could not communication. Their voice was rendered mute. Technology has changed that. Just like everyone is note a gifted painter (me for example) the same would hold true for a reader or writer. Everyone does not have the gift of writing, or reading for that matter. But everyone does have a voice. They may share that voice through other means. And herein lies the power of social and communication technologies. The masses of silent citizens are suddenly given a voice. A voice to…

All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die. (Auden)

There is currently a campaign by Laurie Halse Anderson taking place on twitter #speakloudly about the attempted ban of her book Speak. What has happened as a result, is thousands of people rising up to let their voices be heard. They are rising up to share their story and how their story has been affected by Speak.

The Information Activist is Getting Married

I know that I have not been posting much lately. Besides the typical work, school, Chicago Deskset stuff, I’m getting married. I am T minus 35 days, and I am so excited. So I would like to take a moment to introduce to the world my lovely Fiancee.

Erika Fuhrman Molaro and I have known each for five years. We met through friends, or the Living Room, or volleyball at Willow Creek Community Church. She always gave me the best hugs!!! She brightens up my day. She was fun to talk to and be around. We shared a common faith and world outlook.

Erika makes me want to be a better person. She has strengths that I don’t have. She is far kinder than I am. She cares for those less fortunate and downtrodden. I can go on forever about how much she means to me, but I will leave you with a few pictures and a video I made for her.