We r connected!

"We are rising up in an understanding of our world, one that is connected," (Roche, 2010).

A few months ago, I purchased an iPhone, and just recently, I attempted to update it using my computer, only to have my iPhone crash completely. My iPhone has become an integral part of my daily life, connecting me to my "global community" around the clock. Whether I'm shopping, grabbing coffee, or commuting to work, I rely on my G3 iPhone to Google inquiries, check my Twitter and Facebook feeds, and text my friends. Losing it felt like losing a piece of myself.

As I listened to Senator Roche discuss the development of a global conscience and the need to foster a culture of peace, I couldn't help but reflect on how the internet has facilitated our connectivity to the global community. Web 2.0, the second generation of web development, has transformed the internet into what it is today, offering various literacies that enable users to collaborate, create, and engage with knowledge. From blogs to vlogs, podcasts to social networking, I belong to a myriad of online communities. Could these online communities play a role in promoting peace and cultivating a global conscience?

One powerful Web 2.0 tool that has shrunk the world is YouTube. This platform allows individuals to collaborate and share ideas through video content. Personally, I learned to play the violin through my YouTube network, connecting with experts, watching instructional videos, and posing questions. But YouTube's potential extends far beyond individual learning—it can unite millions of strangers worldwide in unique ways. 

Take, for instance, the annual global pillow fight event, publicized on YouTube by artists Richard Maddalena and Kate Buckley. People from diverse corners of the globe come together, armed with fluffy pillows, to relive childhood moments and share in laughter and camaraderie.

Moreover, there are social activist platforms like Earth Hour, which mobilize individuals to take collective action for a better world. Originating in 2007 as a protest against climate change, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement, with millions participating in over 128 countries. Through initiatives like these, people can gather around different media to collaborate, discuss, and engage in meaningful causes.

Even my Grade One class in rural Rocky Mountain House has embraced Web 2.0 literacies to connect with peers globally. Through Skype sessions, wordles, podcasts, wikis, and blogs, they've begun to grasp their place in the world and develop relationships and responsibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. Senator Roche's call to "reach out" resonates deeply, reminding us of our obligation and opportunity to make a difference. How do you reach out?