APRIL 3, 2009

Best Of March On Undercurrents

I try to read the Undercurrents blog every day, and I am starting to learn the “voices” of the different bloggers on our team.  For instance, Patrick was our most prolific blog writer this month, and I was engaged by his technique of incorporating conversations with Peter, his coworker, into his entries.  I liked their discussion about Girl Scout cookies, and whether it was right for a particular enterprising cookie seller to use the internet to increase her sales.  They also talked about Twitter and how its all-consuming power over people (most recently jurors in a trial setting) can be destructive. 

I recognized Gayle’s sage approach when she talked about how companies can use social media in crisis situations.  She had good advice about knowing the landscape, becoming engaged with the community before a crisis, and being transparent and engaged.  Social media doesn’t work unless it is a two-way street.

Monica’s green conscience came through in her post on thinking “ecologically.”  It made me aware that there is a lot more to saving our environment than just recycling.  We have to understand the genesis of the products we use, and it helps to have sites like “Good Guide” to show us the way.

Janice’s interest in philanthropy and politics came through in her post on the benefits of volunteering when you are unemployed.

Corey’s insight into what is new on the horizon was evident in his post about ongoing innovation on the web.  I hope he’s right that it could help lead us out of the current recession.  His blog tied in nicely with Michelle’s entry about using her Smartphone for shopping, and how technology is making it easier for us to have instant access to product information.  I remember her previous post about using the internet to prepare for her wedding, and it’s apparent Michelle is a savvy user of the internet as a personal resource.

Reading all of these different perspectives makes me more in tune with perceptions outside of my own world view.  That’s why the blogosphere is so powerful, and why every day I check out Undercurrents I am enlightened by its insights.