the road ahead

I have been reading a very interesting book, Viral Loop by Adam L. Penenberg. It reminded me of the importance of trust when it comes to the internet.

Here is what I mean: All who socialize on the internet have a public self and a digital self. Interestingly the difference in relationships in our physical and virtual relationships is very small.

As a digital friend, you are known in a much larger network than in your physical relationships. Think about it–if you Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or participate in some other online social network, your digital relationships are much larger than the number of real-world friendships. As we connect online, we establish relationships of trust with a broader number of people, many of whom we have never met in person.

Why do so many participate in these online communities? As I learned from Viral Loop, “social networking makes us happy. Engaging with friends helps us live longer and better lives.” The author quotes a study that found that people with large networks of friends lived longer than those with fewer friends. But here is the big difference: The physical distance between the friends did not matter. A social network of trusting friends helped people live longer! So whether by phone, letter, or internet, a community of trusting friends makes us happy!

As you Facebook or Twitter, you are part of a virtual community of trust. What do you think about that? I would love to hear your comments.

In 2006 Second Life was hailed as the new virtual experience in social networking. Perhaps you were like me and gave it a try. I established my avatar and began my journey in Second Life. I would fly to church and to stores from island to island. (If you don’t know what I mean by “flying,” then you really should check out Second Life.) But most of the time I felt as if I were all alone in a virtual ghost town!

I read a very interesting article that talked about Second Life’s decline. The lessons learned from Second Life can help us understand what works and what does NOT work in the virtual world. I am not really up for recreating a physical world in the virtual. It so predictable.

I don’t think this represents the future of social networking. But of course that is just my opinion. I would say it looks like Second Life is about dead! What do you think?

The 21st century challenges publisher’s to consider a number of issues regarding the making of books for future generations. At NavPress we are thinking seriously about the impact of images and story on the making of books!  I stumbled onto a post that reminded me that visual books are nothing new! Books in medieval times where visually designed! In fact images and text fit together nicely and books where a treasure of image art and textual art!

Could those days be coming back? What kind of books will be made in the future? Will they be a combination of images and text? These are questions I am considering these days. New days are before us!

Have you been on a trip recently? Perhaps like most of us you picked up a few items to bring home. My wife and I have collected all kinds of things from our trips over the years. We have postcards, refrigerator magnets, art, and carved figurines from various places we have visited. These items remind us of places and experiences we have enjoyed together.

Recently I viewed a talk by Seth Godin. (I have attached a link if you would like to view it. It is worth the time!) Godin talks about a book being a souvenir. I had never considered a book to be a souvenir, but after viewing the talk, it makes sense!

As I think about my time with books, they really are reminders of the experiences I have had on my reading journeys. Now as I look at the books in my library, it’s fun to reflect on the many places I have explored in history, business, and spirituality. And my books are the written souvenirs I have collected.

Your books tell the story of your reading journey. What do they say?