Web 2.0 and the Connection Factor

When looking at Web 2.0, the interactive nature of it all can be a little overwhelming. There are so many aspects of it from the ease you can acquire a blog or website to our ability to talk to people across long distances; it can be hard to know where to start just to join the conversation. The real excitement though is in the ability to have the conversation, connect and share information with so many people, because before the advent of Web 2.0 many conversations were limited by the few connections we could make without it. Web 2.0 can allow voices that once weren't heard because of limited access. Previously getting the word out about an issue, locally or globally, was more about having access to money. Money allowed you a voice in print and television media. Now with Web 2.0 all you need is an internet connection, or even just a cellphone, and you too can be heard.

The broadening of the global conversation give women the opportunity and the power to bring attention to issues facing us which were completely unheard of before. We don't have to wait for an expose to be written by a large news group or a charity to run an ad on television asking for support. Now these issues can be explained in our own words and voices. From our ability to have a voice online, we can interact using social media to make change. Movements can be made on Twitter. A hand of support can be extended through a blog. Web 2.0 can solve the problem of bringing attention to a vital problem or need without having to wait for exposure or find the money to create exposure.

In my own life Web 2.0 has allowed me to do just that. I have helped put on an event to raise money for a charity supporting women's issues in the global community. Without the connective tissue Web 2.0 allowed me to create by connecting to other groups, other people, to get the word out I don't think the event would have been as successful. With so little needed to access a global community network, the pay off can be amazing. Web 2.0 boils down to one person being able to make a difference from anywhere.