Here's a neat resource on colour - the cultural symbolism is interesting and the links in the article make for quite a comprehensive study on colour. [link via Headshift Moments ... via Matt Webb].

Astrological association for me - Orange or Purple for Saggitarians - these are in fact my favourite colours.

Makes me want to re-visit Spiral Dynamics - Colours of Perception and Change.

4:23:11 PM    comment []  trackback []

[link via Mahesh]

The Indian Government is feeling the heat of technology.  Recently, censorship of yahoogroups on the internet, ISP's have already started cracking down on IM and VOIP.  Now clamp down on the first-ever flashmob in the country ...... here's a first-hand account of the experience.

And the world is noticing - Clay Shirky picks up on the flashmob incident and Mitch Ratcliffe offers some thoughts : incident : 

"Here is an interesting example of two phenomena: 1.) the flash mob fad circled the globe in weeks and is dying at an equally breakneck pace, suggesting that social change, while it is accelerated, is still a process of accretion which may or may not lead to sudden large-scale changes, and; 2.) the conflict of culture and context with social action. According to the organizer of the first Indian flash mob:  "One of the major inherent disadvantages this project has is that it's called a flash mob," he said, emphasising mob . "That dreaded mob word makes the police and other agencies stand up and notice this project. While it feels good to bring smiles to so many people's faces and it feels good to see the growing popularity of this concept, we were not hoping for that kind of attention from the legal authorities." 

Mitch talks of conflict of culture and context with social action.   While he has hit the nail on the head, i do feel its a lot to do with the politics of control.  There is the acknowledgement by the government, of the power of technology - look at the astounding growth in mobile phone subscribers every month - the Cellular Operators Association of India regularly provides monthly statistics - 14.5 million new subscribers from July - August 2003, another 16.5 million between August-September 2003.  And growth is not restricted to metros at all !  

And an underlying fear of the consequences of technology.  The social changes it can bring to the very way society and groups communicate and grow.  And perhaps the loss of control on free speech and expression, as a result of new and perhaps disruptive means of communication.  

The government, for its own purposes would like to suppress this change - how else can they sustain their vote-bank of illiterate masses, how else can they ensure control. 

My fear is what next .... when blogging reaches critical mass, when bloggers start using blogs for social and political action will bloggers voicing their opinions as a group, also be 'banned' from doing so?   What steps will the ones in power take to muzzle this movement ? 

Only just came across this very interesting post at Radio Free Blogistan on weblog strategies for non-profits, where there is a suggestion that weblogs and syndication can promote social change. 

4:00:56 PM    comment []  trackback []

               [via Selective Amnesia]

12:52:40 PM    comment []  trackback []