Blamestorm

by Brian Reich | 14 Mar 2010, 1:09pm

I presented at SXSW in Austin, TX this morning as a part of the technology in government Future15 series. My talk was called ‘blamestorm.’

The basic premise of the talk was this: “Technology and the internet can help drive change in the world. We can solve real problems.  Address complex issues. But its not happening. Not enough is getting done. Why not? Because most people don’t understand… and they are holding us back.”

And then I launched into my blame-fest:

- I blame the media for telling the wrong story — promoting what drives attention and delivers ratings, instead of helping people to understand and take action.

- I blame politicians for making promises — but not living up to them, and sending a message that politics is more important than public service.

- I blame government for passing laws and promoting policies that don’t do enough to help people, instead of connecting and serving the needs and interests of the community.

- I blame corporations for saying they care, but not changing (enough about) how they act — when they could serve their customers, contribute to the world, and make money.

- I blame nonnprofits for not doing enough to advance their causes - for mistaking awareness for action, and tools for answers, for being afraid to try new things, when they have the greatest potential to educate, engage, and mobilize people to action of anyone.

- I blame the people who fund projects, invest in ideas and promote new ventures for maintaining the status quo and sticking to old ways of doing things, instead of making it possible for new things to happen.

- I blame our elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools for not teaching people differently — for not adapting fast enough to changing times, and preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators and activists.

- I blame you for not using your creativity, your passion, your technology prowess, your business acumen, your experience, your insights, your vast networks, your significant influence and your bold ideas to do more, to fix the problems that exist in the world, and address the challenges that continue to challenge our society.

- I blame myself for not thinking differently and using the channels and platforms that are available to me — and emerging every day — to promote new ideas, ask tough questions, challenge assumptions, ask for help, work differently, change my behavior… and more.

You can see/download the presentation I used to guide the talk here: http://www.slideshare.net/BrianReich/sxsw-presentation-blamestorm

My hope was to come across as a little angry, cynical, frustrated, disappointed, and maybe even sort of aggressive in challenging what people are doing, and how they can do more.  I think I did.

I wanted to make people uncomfortable, have them squirm, have them feel compelled to do something they might not have been willing to do before.  Jury is out on that one, but I have a good feeling.

I wanted to set a tone, since I was up first (with a group of very talented folks speaking after me - including Julie Germany (Yes, Mr. Lessig, we can change government), Will Hampton from Round Rock, TX (how nerds can foster democracy), Bev Godwin from GSA (about whether the government should tweet), and more), that challenged people to think differently about how technology, information, media, the internet and such can be used to do incredible things.  I think I succeed, or at least hit a nerve.

Glad I made it to Austin and had the opportunity to participate.  Let the blaming continue!

TAGS : blamestorm sxsw
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