In many ways I am a control freak. I don’t think that most people see this side of me. I try to suppress it as much as possible. I really think the reason I don’t like roller coasters is because I am not driving, therefore not in control. I have been doing some reading that is challenging me to address this tendancy. One book is Joseph Jaffe’s “Join the Conversation”. As more and more people (consumers) use the internet and become more and more technically savvy they are becoming prosumers. Most of them capable of producing media and content that simply was not possible a few years ago. Prosumers are not satisfied to have content pushed their direction with no mechanism for them to interact with that content. Its a two way street now days. This presents issues for inner control freaks like myself. These prosumers can say and show anything online. What if it doesn’t mesh with my thinking? What if I vehemently disagree with what they post? They could even post something that conflicts with the theology I subscribe to.
Where do we…or do we draw a line? Maybe we all need to join the online conversation. It may not always be the most pleasant experience but it can definitely help us all stay in dialogue and maybe even build bridges from one generation to another.