Go here to nominate the net for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Here's a little background on the Internet for Peace (I4P) campaign, which produced the video. BJ Fogg, who I know from volunteering at his Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford and its Peace Dot campaign, sent it to me.
BJ is pioneer in persuasive technology, which is the scientific exploration of how computing products change what people believe and do. The video and Peace Dot is a manifestation of BJ's and others' view that the Internet is itself a persuasive technology, one that's actively building antecedents to peace through global connection and sharing.
Below is the manifesto that accompanies the video.
We have finally realized that the Internet is much more than a network of computers. It is an endless web of people. Men and women from every corner of the globe are connecting to one another, thanks to the biggest social interface ever known to humanity. Digital culture has laid the foundations for a new kind of society. And this society is advancing dialogue, debate and consensus through communication. Because democracy has always flourished where there is openness, acceptance, discussion and participation. And contact with others has always been the most effective antidote against hatred and conflict. That's why the Internet is a tool for peace. That's why anyone who uses it can sow the seeds of non-violence. And that's why the next Nobel Peace Prize should go to the Net. A Nobel for each and every one of us.
Like the manifesto, I share the belief that digital culture has laid the foundation for a new kind of society, though I would add that it's entirely up to us what we build on that foundation. Neither peace nor a new society is a given just because we have the net. A shareable world will require commitment, tireless work, and patience with no guarantee of success. These are conditions experienced citizens expect, but that coddled consumers with short attention spans would find annoying. I should know being a recovering consumer myself!
If you share this vision, please do nominate the Internet for a Nobel Peace Prize. And then consider planting a garden with your neighbors, teaching your children to share, democratizing your business, volunteering for your favorite cause on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, and otherwise modeling the citizenship required to create a shareable world.
