by msweeks
Sydney-based IBSG Director, heading up the IBSG public sector team in Asia Pacific for Cisco. Co-author of the Connected Republic 2.0 More about msweeks
Tipping point?
In the constant battle to determine whether all of this online stuff is "fad" or "future", two more bits of evidence. In a provincial parliament in Malaysia last week, the Speaker was dragged from the chamber by irate opposition members anxious to effectively stage a coup, of sorts. Normally, we'd hear little and know even less about this democratic ding-dong. But what happened? Several people Twittered the event as it happened, pictures were uploaded and the blogs fired up. No hiding place. Terrific.
The second piece is the Royal Commission just abot to kick off in the state of Victoria here in Australia looking at the recent appalling bush fires and what we have learned from them. Commission proceedings are being streamed on the Internet, libraries across the State will be setting up feeds for members of the public to watch and comment and there is a website where people can register to get regular updates 'pushed' out to them on the reconstruction process.
http://www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au/
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25444414-5018723,00.html
http://vbrc.net.au/live1/ (this it the live streaming site)
So, the question arises...have we now reached the stage (maybe well past the stage?) where we can unequivocally agree that we are entered on a new phase of massively more open and transparent public policy and government generally? Or are these kinds of examples simply more detonations in the continuing struggle to infect a stubbornly closed, secretive and maniupulative public sphere with a few outbreaks of sunlight? Are we there yet, or is this going to be the classive never-ending journey?
Comments
Martin - Intersting question. If "there" is habitual, passionate openness by the majority globally, wherever that's in the public and national interest, I'd say we'll be "here" for some time.
I tend to believe people WANT sunlight though, and that country-specific detonations as you describe them (eg Malaysia dragging, Oz streaming ...or the current furore around UK MPs' expenses) all help to lift the blinds a bit more - if that opporunity can be seen amidst the distracting side issues and emotions that detonations generate too.
Malcolm Gladwell's view on Tipping Points isn't universally supported I know, but to my mind contains important truths here ie: 1) Law of the few (eg a charismatic, articulate leader to hit the spot that tips interest from "what and why" to "yes and HOW")...2) Stickiness (eg content of message that hits a unifying, compelling, timely spot, that focuses energies) ...3) Effective translation to suit the right context (clear simple message, made personal..).
posted over 2 years ago