On this episode of Spark: Online activism, lurking, mashups, and APIs
- Anders Colding-Jørgensen created a real Facebook group about a fictitious cause: “No to the demolition of the Stork Fountain“
- Evgeny Morozov on Slactivism and the role social media can play in political activism (full interview)
- Jim Lebans defends lurking
- Jer Thorp uses the NYT NewsWire API to control a smoke detector called the NewsAlarm
- Nora mentions some neat mashups:
- Jer Thorp explains the importance of APIs
This episode features Creative Commons music and sound effects:
- Clips from This Is Your Life Melton Berle
- “Wadidyusay?” by Zap Mama
- “eighteen pieces (soda)” by soda
- “Look to la Luna” by cdk
- “Dub Dilema” by Neurowaxx
- “Proliferate” by Chad Crouch
- “Nocturne” by Podington Bear
- “Summer” by General Fuzz
- “Talk To Me” by Bob Howard & His Orchestra (1938)
Play audio:
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[Original image by maltesen]
I'm glad that you took on the challenge of explaining APIs. I thought it was quite successful – although I think it could have used a little more time explaining exactly what a mashup is. I also liked the discussion of whether online slacktivism can actually translate into real-world action. I have blogged more thoughts about the show at http://scilib.typepad.com/science_library_pad/200…
Thanks for the great blog post, Richard. And yes, I think you're right that we could have talked about mashups more. As usual, with Spark, we ran out of time!
Great episode as always! Small correction, Housingmaps.com is not linked correctly.
Thanks. Should be fixed now.
Regarding the API section, I'm recently listening/reading Don Tapscott's "Wikinomics" that elaborates such collaborative technology in detail. He describes that API is a strategy to selectively open up your proprietary data and invite external talents to contribute and develop innovative services, that the company might otherwise not be able to come up with in limited human resources, time and financial support. Providing an API is beneficial to users and developers, but you also have to realize that how hard it is to convince the executives to give up the existing business model and release some of their profitable products and data for free. If you are interested in this topic I recommend you to read "Wikinomics".
Excellent point. I didn't know Wikinomics touched on that. I've been meaning to read it for ages. Thanks for the tip
Regarding 'group think', Cass Sunstein has a really great book, 'Infotopia' that talks about the politics of truth in contemporary digital spaces. He does a nice job of thinking through the accuracy of wikis, blogs, and so on – definitely a fun, quick read if online groupthink tweeks your interest!
Sounds intriguing. I'll check it out.
My wife and I have started a Facebook group to fight the proposed changes to Food Mail, the government-subsidized program to make fresh food more affordable in the North. We're very aware that's it's all too easy to click a link and join, that's why we're taking the next step and organizing an information day to hand out flyers etc. We're hoping to build on the momentum started by all the group members and discussions.. The group is called "Keep Food Mail Accessible to ALL Northerners!"
That's great. I heard a really interesting talk by Rahaf Harfoush recently where she walked people through all the things the Obama campaign did to tie online awareness to actual step-away-from-the-computer-and-act activities. Very smart.
Yes smart indeed.
Too many people seem to be drawn to the online world, neglecting what's real around them.
The digital alternative lifestyle I suppose. Very attractive to many many people.