Nothing will propel that shift as much as today’s movement toward self-governance. People are beginning to take back agency. They’re taking action instead of asking for permission. They’re learning how to make collective decisions themselves.
Fueled by increasingly open data and snack-food-fueled hackathons, people are creating new Commons of shared data and new services and apps to make it useful. Smart governments are helping, instead of hindering.
If Facebook really wants to “change how people relate to their governments and social institutions,” what is its best role in this new dynamic of citizenship?
One of the most important things Facebook’s management can do is be clear about its motives and intentions. That will mean much more communication and public soul-searching. And maybe leaving some money on the table. The more you squeeze this orange, Facebook, the less trustworthy you become. Your incipient IPO just adds more pressure to this situation.
Given the arguments and opportunities described above, Facebook today is much more a Vegas Panopticon than a platform for building a profitable and civil civilization. So far, Facebook is taking us toward a WALL-E world.
Mark, given how much control you’re keeping of Facebook, even after this IPO, I’d say it’s up to you.
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