A Challenge for the New Year

I’m listening to Spark on CBC. Nora Young just wrapped an interview with Seth Godin. The main topic of discussion was Godin’s new e-book What Matters Now , and his forthcoming book-book Linchpin: Are you Indispensable?

What Matters Now is an interesting call to action (or at least call to thought). In the interview, Godin explains his motive in giving information away through his blog and other free e-publishing projects. If you haven’t heard the interview, it’s well worth a listen.

At the end of the talk, Nora Young asked Godin for a “homework” assignment for listeners. I was surprised when this leading thinker on Web 2.0 responded that he would ask everyone to send a thank-you note to a coworker – a real note, not an e-mail. On consideration it makes a lot of sense. E-mail is ephemeral, almost meaningless. An actual card or letter requires effort and planning, and carries more intrinsic meaning. A simple gesture that helps to build relationships between colleagues. I like this idea.

If you could assign SLAW readers a homework task for 2010, what would it be?

Comments

  1. Hi Wendy,

    Thanks for linking to Nora’s program. I am listening to the interesting interview now.

    By the way, the author of the book “What Matters Now” is Seth Godin,
    http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2010/01/spark-97-january-3-5-2010/

  2. I think you mean Seth Godin, not Clay Shirky. Both good guys mind you.
    -mike

  3. Corrections made – thanks Michael and Kempton!

  4. What a great thought! My homework assignment for everyone would be to post a comment on someone’s blog. When you read a post that you enjoy and appreciate, why not leave a note of appreciation, explaining why you liked it and why it is meaningful? And you get bonus points for using a real name, not posting anonymously, since that makes the comment more meaningful to the blogger.

    Happy New Year!
    Connie

  5. Connie, I always try to use my real name.
    And it looks like I just met that challenge over at Volokh.

  6. Well done, Omar! I’m thinking of all those people who quietly read along, a little shy of posting anything on the web. Posting a comment is a good first step.