We Are Not Alone. Life 2.0

I know what you’re thinking.  Not another “2.0” post.  Humor me for a moment.  I just wanted to make a brief observation that was inspired by a recent e-mail conversation I had with my friend at mindblob.  You see, in one of the emails was this attached photo along with the phrase “Alien on Earth”.  I couldn't  shake this image and phrase.  I don’t know why.

Then it hit me. Is the whole 2.0 movement simply about feeling like “we are not alone”?

Think about it.  For the first time in history, people are truly connecting, collaborating, communicating, interacting, transacting, sharing, creating and finding out about each other in ways that were not previously possible.  Sure e-mail, chat, and the Web were all pointing us to this direction, but there is something different about the emergence of the social network and the vast number of tentacles associated with it.

We are discovering each other—and we are re-discovering the brands we once felt connected with in new and meaningful ways.  We are finding out that we are not alone, there are scores of others just like us scattered throughout the globe.  We can now do more than merely correspond as pen pals.  We can meet virtually, leave each other notes, share and spread our ideas.  We can challenge and inspire each other.  We have found purpose in this evolution of life.  And we have found comfort in the idea that others like us exist.

Life 2.0 is about discovering our purpose through finding each other—and ourselves.

That’s what happens when we realize that we belong—that there is a place for any and all of us.  All of a sudden, we wake up to the reality that we are no are no longer strange visitors in a strange land.  We are no longer “Aliens on Earth”.  We are a part of something bigger than ourselves.  Something alive.  Something very human.  Something that needs us to fuel it as much as we rely upon it to advance ourselves.

That’s all.  I can’t go too deep here.  I just thought that there might be an even more simplistic way to describe the “2.0” phenomenon.  It may just be all about finding out that “we are not alone”—and making the most of all the joys, freedoms, and responsibilities that come with this realization.

Comments

[mindblob]

David,

Woaw... Once again, I'm impressed. ; )
I think we are "Aliens on Earth" until we understand what you just described in this post. It is the same feeling you get when you meet someone who seems to be in phase with you, to share many of your POV's. But this time... it happens on a world wide scale. And yes, it is a first time in human history. Once you realise that, it works like a trigger and what you get is a one way ticket to 2.0. to explore these new communication opportunities.

So, when I read in your post :
"...We are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Something alive. Something very human. Something that needs us to fuel it as much as we rely upon it to advance ourselves..."
...I link it to the day I thought about a blog name and found this definition to introduce "mindblob" :

http://mindblob.typepad.com/mindblob/2006/06/introducing_min.html

So... what could I say about your post? Well, that I d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y share this point of view!

Your Alien friend. : )

[Asi]

David,

where have you been before Feb 2006???

where to, have you channeled that visual and verbal gift of yours before you started Logic+Emotion?

It reminded me your chat with J. Jaffee about us being proud nobody(s) among nobody(s)...

Yet its (still) always important to remember the 'false-consensus-effect' Eric and I were talking about recently: http://nomansblog.typepad.com/no_mans_blog/2006/07/false_consensus.html

very best

A.

[DA]

"where have you been before Feb 2006???"

Asi,
This is a great question. The best way to look at me and my own little world before engaging the social network and after is to do this:

Before:
http://www.davidarmano.com/

After:
http://darmano.typepad.com/

My site captures key points in my life and work in a “push” format. The blog captures my developing relationships with people like you—all unfolding in real time.

I really liked your post about the little puddle. Regardless of all things “2.0” we all still live in bubbles. That’s because we are all human and this is a human trait. We can't see things from a divine perspective becuase we are here on earth. Or as the post suggests "Aliens on Earth".

But “life 2.0” does have a way of making that puddle a little deeper, and broader.

At least this has been my personal experience.

[Jessi Hempel]

I've been thinking about this a great deal recently, David. Do we lose anything by making those connections virtually instead of face-to-face? I ask it as a question, not with an agenda. We certainly gain so much simply in terms of scale and access to folks we never would have accessed previously. I also think that the Web allows for less accountability. On one end of the spectrum we have extreme examples of connection - you throw out an idea on this blog and I catch it and throw it back to you. But I would wonder whether that is the exception rather than the norm, and whether there are even more examples of fractured ideas, a million orators with no audiences. There is litte more alienating that speaking - and its virtual equivalent - and not being heard.

[David Armano]

"I've been thinking about this a great deal recently, David. Do we lose anything by making those connections virtually instead of face-to-face?"

Jessi,

You make a great point. I can only answer this my personal experience. Yes, face to face human interaction is best. There is no substitute. But my experience has been to connect with many people out there on a personal level—all possible through this blog and engaging the social network.

And the really cool thing is that it leads to face to face interactions. If you come to the presentation in NY, we will meet. I just left a dinner where I met Robert Scoble and some other bloggers. Face to face. No technology. We broke bread together—just like in the old days.

This would also have not been possible if it were not for the digital interactions that I participate on.

So, I really understand your point—it's a good one. But my personal experience has been all gain and no loss. Except for less TV. But that's a small price to pay. :)

Hope to meet you in person in NY.

[Aurora]

David,

I just started visiting your site a couple of days ago. I can't quite rememberr how I got here. You have a lot of interesting insights. Keep it up!

This post particularly makes me want to get connecting to people online. Was there ever a time when you found that intimidating? Ever screw up big time? Ever say something you wish you hadn't?

[DA]

Aurora,

Yes, Yes, and a Yes. I've made mistakes and screwed up. I had to learn "blog ediquette" the hard way. But human contact is worth the risk. As long as your motives are honorable.

[Murray]

Hi David
I seem to be reading your blog more and more, great stuff.

I too have recently been thinking about the essence of the '2.0' buzz, especially as every client is asking about it or for it.

I recently read "Lovemarks" by Kevin Roberts and he talks a lot about how brands are failing through either their arrogance or there lack of empathy. He sites some quite startling statistics on how by 2010 40% of adults will be living alone in single person households.
With that in mind the 'social' aspect of web 2.0 ventures seems to be one of their most essential features. More and more people are talking about 'brand experience' and coming to the realisation that they don't own their brand, the customers do. It's their emotional engagement with the brand through their exchanges, experiences of it and more importantly how they share those experiences that will set the stage for successful brands over the next decade.

Can't wait to read some more of your thoughts around this.

[DA]

Murray

Here are a few posts I did a while back related to what you are saying here. I'm sure there will be more. Enjoy!

http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2006/04/i_love_my_citi.html
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2006/07/brand_affinity_.html
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2006/06/brand_love.html