Collaboration is a word that's bandied about (does anyone say bandied about any more, or is it just me?) allot these days. We have new ways of connecting and working together that are helping us achieve things that would never have been possible only a few years ago. Take the NYT Global Mosaic project that launches tomorrow for example. This inspiring idea offers us yet another new way to explore how alike we are, and helps us appreciate how different we can be! There are numerous global collaborative projects blossoming each day seeking to bring us together ... but The Hive is one that particularly caught my eye.
I'm intrigued by it, because it explored the idea of more abstract participation. What does it mean if our involvement is more incidental? What if we're able to help to achieve a greater good in some way, but only having to pay cursory attention to our contribution, if at all?
The Hive enables it's participants to be a present, active part of the project with little thought to their involvement. The technology around their necks receives a remote instruction, and takes a picture.
I don't think projects like this will lead one day to mindless participation, I strongly believe it's leading to a time when we can be more deeply connected in an issue.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on this issue.
