Social sharing is caring. Or is it?

Social media feels to me like it's allowed us all to become 'cultural curators'. We siphon the best websites to visit, articles and books to read, games to play, destinations to travel to, places to be at etc etc, and some people out there are actually interested in our opinions and recommendations.

So yes there is a 'sharing is caring' component.

But there is also a 'look at me' component, with the rush to share things first.

I wonder if there has ever been a psychoanalysis of the type of person to use social media. Are they more likely to be really 'social' or an introvert? Are they more likely to enjoy a conversation, or just like to sit quietly? Are they more likely to talk or listen.

So many questions, so many answers.

Einstein's view on Zionism.

"Einstein was moved by the idea that the jewish people would be reunited with the conditions of its old glory and creativity, and establish a kind of cultural and spiritual center in Palestine, but with the condition that Zionism must understand its duty to come to terms with its arab environment, and must not enter the land of Israel in a kind of colonial, assertive mood." Source: Albert Einstein, How I see the world (part 5 of 6).


"If we dont find a way of honest cooperation and dealings with the arabs, then we have not learnt anything during our 2000 years of suffering, and deserve any fate that will hit us" Einstein.

Natural signs

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better" Einstein.

Male creativity.

Why is there a general belief that boys are less creative than girls, and men are less 'in tune with their emotional side' when throughout history males have been successful artists, poets, storytellers, musicians, playwrights, designers, architects? And have written and designed pieces that have touched our heart and emotions?

I think society and the media has exaggerated this lack of creativity and emotion on the part of men. They have drawn their conclusions from the poor male role models in the world today, and from many institutions which remain archaic and highly male oriented, and from the mostly male dominated corporate world which, at it's worst, is unequal and untransparent, and encourages a 'might is right' attitude.

So men begin to act the way they are stereotyped to be acting. And the situation is passed from father to son.

Males need a back-to-basics revolution. Men need to be encouraged to be their best. And guys need to spend more time with their families and children and have time to themselves. And positive male role models need to be reinforced.

Jowad Husseiny [Husseini], Anna Grace [Vester]. Creative Commons. Portraits of the Vester and Whiting families and other members of the American Colony in Jerusalem between 1905-1913.

Nobility, virtue and goodness.

‎"I was only sent to perfect noble ways," said the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). His referring to "noble ways" (or noble character) is a recognition that there is nobility, virtue, and good in people, customs, cultures, & societies. Islam comes to build upon and fulfill human, social, & spiritual potential, not to negate & destroy. [Imam Ahmad - Musnad]

Connecting with people

When is the last time you were intrigued? surprised? delighted? Read this little story below. It's a nice one.

"For me, it was a wonderful experience I had the other week at a friend's going-away party. It was at a neighborhood bar where bike racks protected locked bikes outside and patio lights warmed the atmosphere as the sun set and the smiles came out.

When the time came to close out my tab, the bartender quickly produced a receipt and returned my card. I noticed a line I'd never seen before on a receipt. The tip line read: "A little love..."

Not only did this positively disrupt my thought process, but it sort of solidified my emotional connection to the evening and to the bar. I'd had a great time! Why not share that love with others? And so I left a bigger tip than I might have if these three little words had not been printed as a reminder of the waitstaff and my experience.

Everyone says "It's the little things." If something so simple can have such a positive impact on a customer's experience, then why do so many merchants fail to take advantage of it?"

-Shopper culture

-Contributed by Erin Middleton

-Published on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

________________

I think this story is lovely. Because it brings out the human behind each transaction we make. But how many of us, and how many corporations are unable to harness the true power of our emotions and our humanity? 


We connect with people and brands better when we know them, know their story, and realise how we affect their life.

How evil triumphs.

“All that is required for the triumph of evil, is for good men to remain silent.”

Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri.

A refreshed consumer-product relationship

People have grown up immersed in consumer culture - they 'get' it. But as savvy, streetwise consumers, they are bored, if not downright distrustful of the conventional consumer-producer relationship, and now look for brands and products that are more authentic, more human, and quite simply more mature.

Source: trendwatching sept 2010.