I confess to having 1000+ items in my Google Reader feed right now. It’s been like that for awhile, and not surprising given how much time I’m spending on Twitter lately.  And to be honest I’ll never actually get to them all.  Which is too bad, because there’s some amazing content on the web these days.

So I was really happy when Google introduced ’sort by magic’ as an option for presenting the items in my feed.

Of course it’s not actually ‘magic’, but based on an algorithm calculated from the articles I ’star’ and ’share’. According to Google, this sorting will get better the more I use it. Based on my experience with it so far, it’s pretty good. (I’ve ended up starring many of the posts I’ve read in the last few days.)

I’ve written about Google Reader before. If you don’t have an account, I’d encourage you to set one up. Then once you have an account, whenever you come across a blog you like, you can go to Google Reader, type the name of the blog into the *add subscription* box, and – PRESTO – you’re subscribed. It’s easier than RSS.

Then as the number of items in your feed increases, you can select ’sort by magic’ and see what comes to the top. Guaranteed, you’ll see some pretty interesting stuff.

Curious to know what you think and welcome your comments.

This tweet popped up in my Twitter stream today from Joe Thornley, CEO of Thornley Fallis ( @thornley):

I’m going to be at the #SNCR Research Symposium http://bit.ly/KNy38 in Boston next week. Let me know if you’re attending.

Earlier this month, Joe was posting updates to Twitter and his blog from the Managing Social Media Conference using the #CdnInst Twitter hashtag. Searching on that hashtag today, the following popped up from Jason Stobbe (who goes by @ZackLi):

ZackLi “Managing Social Media” Conference archive complete! http://bit.ly/2INWQX #CdnInst

I also noticed Eden Spodek tweeting about PodCamp Montreal in September and using the #pcmtl hashtag. I thought she was at the conference in Montreal. It turns out she was in Toronto but following the livestream. She tweeted me the link, and I watched a great presentation by Kim Vallee on her top tips for bloggers.

So what’s my point?

With concerns over budget and our carbon footprint, it’s getting harder to travel to conferences. That’s not likely to change in the short term. But through the magic of Twitter, you can find out about them and get a good sense of what’s going on by following the hashtags.

How does it work?

Everyone at the conference, or in Joe’s case anyone who is planning to attend, and tweets about it, includes the hashtag with their post.  #SNCR is the hashtag for Society for New Communication Research. I’m not able to go, but given my interest in the topic, I’ll be following his and others tweets with interest.

Photo credit: Doug Haslam took this photo of Sarah Wurrey of Media Bullseye at SNCR 2007

I’m a passionate supporter and patron of the arts. For years I’ve supported our local symphony and opera company as a subscriber. I’ve also attended many dance and voice recitals, live theatre, photography and art exhibits.

Arts and culture greatly enriches our society, supports critical thinking, provides us with social opportunities and like sports, keeps young people active and engaged.

It’s also a powerful economic force – creating jobs and supporting other sectors. A BC government report on the socioeconomic impact of the arts found that:

• every dollar the province invests in the BC Arts Council returns up to $1.36 in tax revenue, and that

• for every three jobs in the arts, one additional job is created in another sector.

In BC, the amount spent on arts and culture is relatively small – an estimated one-twentieth of one percent of the total provincial budget. Others have described it as the lowest per capita of any province in the country.

Yet this funding goes a tremendous way:

• Arts organizations use it as “seed money” to leverage federal funding, foundation grants, and private donations.

• This funding also helps to ensure access to arts and culture continues to be available and remains affordable.

Many jurisdictions are reeling as a result of the current economic crisis.  Yet I was shocked to learn that BC is the only province to cut investment in the arts – all other provinces, along with the Federal and US governments, have at least maintained, and in many cases increased, funding as a stimulus measure.

And the latest budget update shows funding for the arts in BC will be cut by 85% next year.

However, it’s not too late to urge the government to reconsider this move and restore some stability to British Columbia’s vital arts and culture community.

If you believe, as I do, that we all benefit when government invests in arts and culture, please join me in helping to keep this issue front and centre.

Share your views with community leaders, contact your MLA, and seek out opportunities to speak to local media.

Photo credit: restoncharlie

Blog Action Day 2009:

Each year Blog Action Day chooses a compelling issue and encourages bloggers worldwide to write on that topic. Their goal is to help focus everyone’s attention on that issue.

This year’s issue is Climate Change.

I’ve chosen to profile ten popular and notable environmental sites that you may want to check out:

350.org

350.org is an international grassroots movement focussing on the number 350 – as in parts per million. That’s the level scientists have set as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, they’re harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. Find out what they’ve got underway.

Green Tweets

Mashable has compiled a list of 75+ environmentalists to follow on Twitter, via Cameron Chapman.  In addition,  Twitter’s #EcoMonday hashtag — the environmental equivalent of #FollowFriday, in which Twitter users suggest “green” tweeters to follow and share green news and info — has grown into a regular trending topic every Monday.

Climate Debate Daily

Climate Debate Daily collects news and stories from both sides of the global warming debate – juxtaposed – plus a host of other useful resources, links and information.

Skeptical Science

A blog by former Australian physicist John Cook, devoted to debunking the arguments of globalwarming skeptics.

DeSmog Blog

DeSmogBlog exists to clear the PR pollution that is clouding the science on climate change – to shine the light on techniques and tactics that reflect badly on the PR industry and are, ultimately, bad for the planet. It’s led by Jim Hoggan, founder of the Vancouver PR firm, James Hoggan and Associates.  He’s also recently released Climate Cover-up: the Crusade to Deny Global Warming:

EcoGeek: Technology for the Environment

This news site, founded by Hank Green, explores the symbiosis between nature and technology.

Worldchanging: Change your Thinking

Worldchanging.com is a nonprofit media organization headquartered in Seattle, WA, that comprises a global network of independent journalists, designers and thinkers. They cover the world’s most innovative solutions to the planet’s problems, and inspire readers with ideas for building a bright green future.

Inhabitat

Inhabitat.com is a blog devoted to the future of design. It tracks innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Find out, for example, about eco-friendly batteries that derive energy from naturally occurring bacteria in soil. If the product takes off, these batteries could provide power for people in Africa who lack access to electricity.

Time Lapse Videos of Massive Changes on Earth

From Wired.com, here are a few time lapse videos, compiled from images posted on NASA’s Earth Observatory, of some of the most impressive conquests of man over environment.

Grist

Grist serves up environmental news and commentary tongue-in-cheek.  Run by a nonprofit group based in Seattle, they take their work seriously, but not themselves. Their clever writing and wit makes for an interesting read.

So there you have it. Climate change is a very pressing issue and each one of these sites helps draw attention to it and shape discussion in a positive way. I hope I’ve inspired you to check some of these out. Let me know what you think.

What did you think of Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s surprise appearance at the recent National Arts Centre Fundraiser Gala?

While I disagree with his politics, I think it was a brilliant more. Made all the more so by the fact that it wasn’t the idea of his handlers, but the brainchild of his wife Laureen.

Here’s the YouTube clip if you haven’t seen it:

So what worked:

Two things worked in his favour. First, he sang a Beatles song that we all know the words to. Second, he was accompanied by well known classical musician Yo-Yo Ma.

Was he taking a risk:

I think so. Definitely.

Everyone in the audience would surely have remembered his disparaging remarks about arts galas during the last election campaign. The Harper government has also slashed $45 million to arts and culture programs.

He risked coming across as a hypocrite.

Would it have worked for Jack Layton or Michael Ignatieff? All three of Canada’s political leaders have trouble resonating with the Canadian public. However, I don’t think either could have pulled it off as well.

The result:

Many pundits have speculated on just how much impact that had. I think Andrew Potter,  who writes a weekly public affairs column for MacLeans Magazine , nailed it when he said that the frame of Harper’s brand has been stretched and expanded in a very positive way. “All he had to do was expand his frame just enough to open it up to people who had never given him a look before, and there is no question that he did that,” said Potter.

What’s the key takeaway:

For every successful public relations event that goes off smoothly, invariably much work went on behind the scenes to make it so.

In this case, it was Laureen Harper who initially pitched the idea to Yo-Yo Ma. She then got the National Arts Centre onside. Then came choosing a song that was in her husband’s vocal range that she knew he could sing, and a suitable band. And they had to fit in a rehearsal.

When things go smoothly, the PR professional (or in this case his wife Laureen) is often working quietly in the background to make sure that is so. It may look spontaneous, but it’s usually not.

Local and global community organizer Joe Solomon’s message to Victoria BC’s Social Media Club:

Use your online connections to address big real-life offline issues.

He titled his presentation, Movement Building in a Connected Age. You can view a clip of it here, courtesy of fellow Victoria blogger, Mat Wright.

During Joe’s presentation, he shared numerous examples of people coming together across boundaries, to use the web for social change. A true community organizer and facilitator, he encouraged members of the audience to share local successes as well.

Here are three examples of global movements that Joe shared with us:

NetSquared

Net Squared works by mobilizing individuals and communities, providing web based tools, and awarding financial support to leverage social action. The result? Local chapters in 50+ cities around the globe, and hundreds of social action projects.

Joe talked about how easy it was to start up the Vancouver chapter, largely because of the support from the global  NetSquared group – something he also emphasized was “critical to success”.

Every movement has a champion, and NetSquared’s is Amy Sample Ward. Based in London, Amy’s title is Global Community Builder. She blogs at Nonprofit Tech. Follow her on Twitter at @amyrsward.

350 [dot] org

On Oct 24, 2009, hundreds of organizations around the world will host events to focus attention on the need for a global climate movement. Scientists say that if we want to avoid runaway climate change, CO2 levels in the atmosphere should not go above 350 parts per million – yet we’re already at 385.92 and climbing.  Thus the urgency.

To help build the hype and focus conversation on the web around this topic, bloggers are also invited to blog about climate change on October 15 – Blog Action Day ‘09 – I’ll be doing that and invite you to as well.

Change Camp

ChangeCamp brings together citizens, policy-makers, technologists, design-thinkers, change agents and members of the media face-to-face to answer one question: “How do we re-imagine government and citizenship in the age of participation?”

Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver have hosted Change Camps. Two more are slated this fall: Edmonton (October 17/09) and Halifax (December 5/09).

What about Victoria?  Joe asked me that question when several of us met at a tweetup the morning following his presentation (I know – we’re keen!) And yes, there’s definitely interest in doing one here, so you may hear more on that front.

Joe’s key message: The issues of our time need movements – Join a Movement or Start a Movement.

Panel Discussion:

We ended our session with a panel discussion on how local nonprofits are using social media to advance their cause:

• Lori Elder – Volunteer Victoria
• Deb Morse – Organic Islands Festival
• Mat Wright – Johnson Street Bridge [dot] org and Vibrant Victoria
• Janis La Couvee – Twestival Local

Photos:

One of the event organizers Janis La Couvee (@lacouvee) and Joe Solomon (@engageJoe)

Panel members:

Janis La Couvee, Mat Wright (@matvic) , Joe Solomon, Deb Morse, Lori Elder (@volvicbc)

Next meeting of Social Media Club:

Christopher Trotier is coming from Vancouver to speak on “Social Bookmarking Concepts” and “Digg”.

• Tuesday October 27, 2009,
• Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre, 638 Fisgard Street

Our vision:

Inspired by fellow Canadian Amanda Rose’s success with Global Twestival last February,  and encouraged by local “connector extraordinaire” Janis La Couvee, we decided to see what we could do for Twestival Local.

Victoria’s Twitter community selected Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society as our charity to support, and we set our target at $5,000.

Could we do it? Afterall, we only had six weeks.

Here’s what happened:

Thanks to an awesome local Twestival team, generous sponsors, local businesses and entrepreneurs, entertainers, and many others willing to pitch in and lend a hand, we caught the attention of local media and staged a very successful event. And organizing online saved time and created efficiencies.

To those of you who came, drank, danced, tweeted, bought raffle tickets and bid on the silent auction items, thank you!! Don’t know what the final tally will be as donations are still coming in, but at this point, we’re awfully close to meeting our target!

A “twitterific” time was had by all:

(here’s a selection but follow these links for more photos and  info)

Photo info added to this post – Sept 17, 2009:

1. Jodie Gastel, Cris Vleck, and Melanie Norris
2. Easy: Vikki Flawith, John Spooner, and Marvelous Trudeau
3. Dean Polvi, Annie Sylvan, Ahon Chow, Oliver Mitchell, Elaine Richter, and Arif Mitchell
4. Ellen Henry and Andrew Plank
5. Dancers
6. Margaret Hanson, Jim Nathan and mysterious man
7. Our live tweet wall
8. Pillows donated by Melanie Norris of @freshleafdesign
9. Power to Be: Andy LaFort, Marly Essery, Jason Lasky, Marnie Essery, and Megan Millar
10. Annie Sylvan and Elaine Richter

While most of us are still catching our breath after a very successful Twestival Local, the next big social media event for Victoria is just around the corner.

And what an event it promises to be!!

Self-described conversation starter, local & global community organizer, and change catalyst Joe Solomon is our featured guest at our next Social Media Club.

Joe strives to help non profits, organizations and communities leverage social media and web tools to better address local and global challenges.

You can get a sense of what Joe is about here.

Joe’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring:

• Mat Wright, JohnsonStreetBridge.org and VibrantVictoria.com
• Tim Cormode, Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society
• Michael Dingle, Landeca, formerly executive vice-president of Blast Radius global internet solutions company
• Lori Elder, Volunteer Victoria
• Janis La Couvée, Twestival Victoria coordinator

I think non profit groups in particular will come away with some useful ideas and strategies around using the web to effect social change.

I’ll be covering the event so you can come back here later for highlights and some photos.

Event details:

Where? Ambrosia Catering and Event Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria

When? 6:45 – 9:00 pm, Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Cost? $3 – $5 for donation to a local food bank

Want the back chat on this event?

Janis La Couvee is the driving force behind bringing Joe to Victoria, and timing is everything. Joe was booked to lead a four-day Web of Change conference on Cortez Island Sept 23 – 27. Janis connected with him on Twitter, they chatted back and forth, et voila!

Please help spread the word about this event, and we hope to see you on Tuesday!

Photo credit: Tris Hussey

With less than a week to go, Victoria’s Twestival team is working very hard to ensure our inaugural Twestival event is a great success!

Over 250 cities around the world are hosting events to promote local charities. Victoria’s Twitter community selected Power to Be – a local organization that provides outdoor education programs for disadvantaged youth.

Power to Be provides:

• people living with a disability year-round access to activities such as kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, gardening and camping;
• multi-day sea-kayaking trips to remote parts of British Columbia for young cancer patient survivors; and
• four year preventive education programs geared to at-risk youth.

Under the very capable direction of founder and visionary Tom Cormode,  Power to Be has assisted over 3,400 participants and won several regional and national awards. Over the years they have had to turn many kids away, and Tom believes our support through Twestival will mean more youth can access the program.

All proof we’re supporting a very worthy cause.

All of the Victoria Twestival proceeds will go towards Power to Be.

One important point – although much of the organizing for Twestival has occurred through Twitter, you don’t have to be on Twitter to attend. It’ll be a largely social event with top notch local entertainment and lots of opportunities to network and chat with interesting people.  But if you’re at all curious, you’ll have lots of opportunity to find out about Twitter, blogging and social media in general.

Here’s a short video put together by Chris Vleck of Strategic Insanity, to help promote the event:

We’re also very grateful to local business that have stepped up as sponsors: Scott Garman, Rod Phillips of Liquor Plus, and Scott McDonald of Rocky Mountain Soap.

Event Details:

When: Friday September 12, 2009

Where: Ambrosia Conference and Events Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria

Time: 7:00 – 11:00 pm

Cost: $20.00 – purchase them online in advance to avoid lining up at the door!

Tell your friends, and hope to see you there!

I’ll admit to occasionally talking on my cell phone when driving. I’ve also checked my messages while waiting for the light to change.

However, I’ve not yet sent a text message while driving.

It is on the increase though – enough that we should be concerned.

A British study found that texting impairs drivers more than drinking:

Motorists who send text messages while driving are “significantly more impaired” than those who drive drunk, even at the minimum legal limit for alcohol, according to the study.

The study also suggested that 19 percent of motorists said they texted while driving.

The study came on the heels of reports that texting was to blame when a commuter train slammed head-on into a freight train in Los Angeles killing 25 people.

In my home province of British Columbia, the provincial government announced recently that it plans to ban texting while driving.

Wales police and school officials are so concerned they’ve produced a documentary – it’s very graphic and compelling – so graphic that YouTube is now prohibiting anyone from embedding it in their post – however you can follow the link below to the original trailer:

The film that will stop you from texting and driving

The bottom line – most people can’t text while walking down the street – why would you do it while driving?!?