Marcus Cake

I read an article in March 2006 titled What is wrong with the world today? . I remembered the article, but did not comment on it at the time. It struck a cord with the online community and a lot of people read it. The key assertion is that apathy of the individual is the reason why people do not act and allow unsatisfactory situations in the world to persist. After a year, I remembered the article and thought I would offer an additional perspective and, hopefully, highlight an emerging opportunity for individuals to apply their interests and make a contribution. Apathy is often attributed to individuals. However, I do not believe that apathy is a core part of being human. Apathy may be a symptom, but humans are not infected with the disease. Most individuals are ever willing to get involved and make a difference.

The problem with the world today is that there is not a convenient and effective means to aggregate and distribute the unique contribution of each individual. This unique contribution is likely to reflect their interests, hobbies and passions. The collective may be able to overcome the public relations resources of government and large corporations. Individuals can not overcome the sophisticated “public relations” which operate in the world today. Without an effective and convenient means to contribute, each individual quite rightly assesses any contribution to be futile. They do not make their unique contribution because it is highly unlikely to result in an outcome. There are higher priorities closer to home.

The internet offers a new means to overcome the potential futility of contribution. The rise of online industry, social and political networks will provide all individuals with the opportunity to channel their unique contribution into a more powerful and influential collective. These online networks will have multiple purposes. One network may determine the “truth” about a particular issue with quality research. A second network may develop a solution to the real problem. A third network may be effective in implementing the solution by convincing the relevant stakeholders to adopt new approaches. We will be surprised at the phenomenon that will reshape the world over the next twenty years.