In what way I am an Edgeryder

The Edgeryders team asked me to answer two questions:

In what way are you an Edgeryder?

An explorer ― of beauty, consciousness, empowerment, structures of technology and open governance ― I intertwine a creative spirit with a passion for human progress. An experienced web communicator, project manager and analyst, I excel at managing complex flows of information and believe in the power of collective intelligence. My sense of observation helps me to assess internal and external needs of businesses and governments.

For several years, I’ve been passionate about open government. It has mostly meant observing other countries develop initiatives while being utterly disappointed for not putting my shoulder to the wheel, since Quebec is not yet an open government.

For five years, I have created projects that promote transparency, participation and citizen engagement. In 2007, I presented Zonegrippeaviaire to the government of Quebec. This project aimed to engage the public to prepare for a pandemic, with plans and strategies designed to involve citizens directly. This year, I collaborated with Government in the Lab (Massachusetts, USA) to propose open government strategies of organizational transformation. In December 2010, we designed the Open Government and Francophonie project, similar to the Open Government Partnership, but adapted to OIF Francophone countries. I was able to influence the government of Quebec to include an open government component in an analysis of the potential of Web 2.0.

Une exploratrice ― de beauté, conscience, empowerment, structures de la technologie et de gouvernance ouverte ― j'enchevêtre un esprit créatif avec une passion pour le progrès humain. Communicatrice web et gestionnaire de projet expérimentée, j'excelle dans la gestion de complexes flux d'information et je crois en la puissance de l'intelligence collective. Mon sens de l'observation m'aide à évaluer les besoins internes et externes d'entreprises et de gouvernements.

Depuis plusieurs années, je me passionne le gouvernement ouvert. Cela a surtout consisté à observer d’autres pays développer des initiatives tout en étant totalement désappointée de ne pouvoir mettre la main à la pâte puisque le Québec n’est pas encore un gouvernement ouvert.

Depuis cinq ans, je travaille à la conception de projets favorisant la transparence, la participation et l'engagement des citoyens. En 2007, j'ai présenté Zonegrippeaviaire au gouvernement du Québec. Ce projet visait à faire participer le public à se préparer à une pandémie, par des plans et stratégies visant à impliquer directement les citoyens. Au cours de la dernière année, j'ai collaboré avec Government in the Lab (Massachussetts, États-Unis) à l'élaboration de stratégies de transformation organisationnelle de gouvernement ouvert. Nous avons conçu en décembre 2010 le projet Gouvernement ouvert et Francophonie, semblable à l'Open Government Partnership, mais adapté aux pays de l'OIF. J'ai réussi à influencer le gouvernement du Québec à inclure un volet de gouvernement ouvert dans une analyse du potentiel du Web 2.0.

Why do you want to be part of the community?

That each one of us has the opportunity to attain the highest vision of who she/he is: shouldn't it be the goal of every State? Every flower in the fields tries to grow as straight and as high as possible, to hatch all the splendor of his beautiful petals. It's the same for human beings. We have within us a force (empowerment) that drives us to transcendence. Each person is unique and wonderful. The Edgeryders recognize the potential of each, try to identify problems and seek collective solutions to eliminate barriers to development.

An orphan of open government, until this new type of governance is adopted by Quebec, I'm so passionate about this and I believe so much in its potential for society that I do not want to wait a second longer to participate.

To be a "global citizen" has a special connotation for me: I know that we are all connected to each other, not only through social media. This connection also exists in the immaterial world: we are a localized part of a unified field of consciousness. Therefore, whether one is located here or there, it does not really matter. Solutions that will be imagined and created by the Edgeryders will have a positive impact on improving systems, policies and structures, and ultimately on the quality of life of countless of communities of citizens.

I like how the Edgeryders show optimism, pay attention to solutions, and seek collaboration to determine the "right" priorities for development. I wish us good luck!

Que chacun ait la possibilité d'atteindre la plus haute vision de qui il est: voilà quel devrait être l'objectif de chaque État. Chaque fleur dans les champs cherche à pousser le plus droit et le plus haut possible, à éclore de toute la splendeur de ses magnifiques pétales. C'est la même chose pour les humains. Nous avons en nous une force (empowerment) qui nous pousse au dépassement. Chaque personne est merveilleuse et unique. Les Edgeryders reconnaissent le potentiel de chacun, tentent d'identifier les problématiques, et recherchent des solutions collectives qui élimineront les entraves au développement.

Orpheline de gouvernement ouvert, en attendant que ce nouveau type de gouvernance soit adopté par le Québec, j'ai tellement de passion pour ce sujet et je crois tellement en son potentiel pour la société que je ne veux pas attendre une seconde de plus pour participer.

Être un «citoyen du monde» prend une connotation particulière pour moi: je sais que nous sommes tous reliés les uns aux autres, pas seulement par le biais des médias sociaux. Cette connexion existe également dans l'immatériel. Nous sommes des espaces localisés d'un champ de conscience unifiée. Par conséquent, que l'on soit situé ici ou ailleurs, cela n'a pas réellement d'importance. Les solutions qui seront imaginées et créées par les Edgeryders auront un impact positif sur l'amélioration des systèmes, politiques et structures, et ultimement, sur la qualité de vie d'innombrables communautés de citoyens.

J'aime la façon dont les Edgeryders démontrent de l'optimisme, portent attention aux solutions, et recherchent la collaboration permettant de déterminer les «bonnes» priorités et axes de développement. Je nous souhaite bon succès!

After Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, etc.. Phase 3 of awakening of consciousness

It took five weeks to Tunisian citizens to bring down Ben Ali. It all started on November 17, 2010, when a young greengrocer in Sidi Bouziz, in the center of the country, tried to commit suicide by burning himself to death. On January 15, 2011, Ben Ali's reign became something of the past, after Riyadh confirmed that the Ben Ali couple had landed in Saudi Arabia.

Radio-Canada reported on January 27, about the events in Yemen:

Thursday, thousands of protesters took the streets in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdallah Saleh, who has been in power for the past 32 years.
Inspired by the "Jasmine revolution" of Tunisia and by the recent events in Egypt, demonstrators called for a political reform, chanting anti-government slogans.
"No renewal of the mandate, no to the inheritance of power", "Time for a change is now", could be heard from opposition leaders and young demonstrators. [Translation, Radio-Canada, Yemen: des milliers de manifestants dans la rue, January 27, 2011]

"Time for a change is now."

We are entering Phase 3 of the awakening of consciousness. Citizens from around the world could bring down abusive governments, one by one. In this case, governments should move quickly to embrace the Open Government philosophy, otherwise, people could restore order and decide to fix themselves the situation by implementing an Open Government.

Yesterday, in my post about the Pope and social media, I explained the awakening mechanism of collective consciousness.

STEP 1 - Understanding that communication has been transmuted

Social media are tools where people can express themselves. The action of expression, of saying something, the action of manifesting something leads to the expression of freedom.

PHASE 2 - Understanding that everything is connected to everything

Social media can help us realize that we are all connected, that we are part of a whole. Just as the material world is connected, the invisible world is also connected at a quantum level. This subtle world is connected by a field of consciousness. What is invisible has received little attention so far, in a materialistic culture where reality is defined by science. Now science is beginning to integrate the intangible (see this article 'At last Scientists are Discovering the Soul').

STEP 3 - Discovering the power of the citizen, the unified field

Up to now, what prevented us to live a connected life is not the opposition of science and skepticism. The problem is that this subtle level of our basic nature - what is invisible about us - has only been explored one person at a time. It has not yet been revealed in a very organized manner.

But times have changed. We can observe that the Open Government philosophy leads to a higher level of collective consciousness.

For a new worldview to emerge, understanding the nature the unified field - the collective consciousness - should be consistent.

I am convinced that the Open Government philosophy can also give rise to an organization of collective consciousness. Government leaders simply have to understand what is happening. The time has come for government leaders to understand the mechanisms of the mind in order to put them at work. Because these mechanisms can have a significant impact on improving quality of life, and dramatically reduce administrative costs.

John Moore, in his post entitled "An Open Government Directive Scorecard, Year One", imagined a scorecard to evaluate government action, using the following breakdown:
• Goal Setting: 30%
• Clear Strategies and Measurements of Success: 20%
• Leadership Education and Approaches: 20%
• Personnel Communication, Training, Retention: 20%
• Use of technology: 10%

Among these five elements, John Moore sees "Personnel Communication, Training, Retention" as being the weakest. He graded the U.S. government with 75% (C).

What John Moore wrote to explain this low grade:

"Many people are excited about open government but many people are also frustrated by lack of personal growth and advancement, progress and processes locked in red tape, and a feeling that they can do more for open government by working outside of government. These are not simply my perceptions but are the reality of dozens of conversations I have had in the last three months."

Which is to say... there are gaps in empowerment... Development is blocking at Phase 3 of consciousness.

I do not speak the same jargon that John Moore uses (as a matter of fact, I'm radically different from the rest of the Open Government sphere), because I see everything through the curtain of consciousness. But I believe that my analysis is similar to John's. My analysis provides tools and arguments to government leaders, that can be helpful to them to improve their performance.

What can be achieved through consciousness:
• Collective consciousness is a sort of Internet connection between all human beings.
• Nature is organized and intelligent.
• The higher states of consciousness are real.
• Direct healing is possible, that is to say, self-healing.
• Separate minds can be in communication.
• Everything happens for a reason.
• Collective prayers (thoughts) can be answered.
• Dreams, desires and intentions (thoughts) can come true.
• A critical mass of people who desire peace can end war and establish an era of peace.
• A critical mass of people who want to improve on problematic global issues can bring lasting solution.

A culture of consciousness is possible. In fact, science of getting lined up to such a culture, even if it is based, ironically enough, on the premise that consciousness has no validity except as an emergent property of matter. One can foresee that the next culture of consciousness will be based on connections, which will overthrow the entire scientific prejudice against the subtle body, invisible realities, and the primacy of collective consciousness in general.

Consciousness is a field of infinite possibilities. Citizens are becoming aware of their pure potential. Potential has no beginning and no end. It exists as potential. When governments will finally realize that, the time for real change will come.

In the meantime, John Moore is leading the way by showing government leaders the right attitude to adopt.

LETTER TO DUPS*: Level 6 of consciousness on EAv

Last month, there was a mass exodus of users on Empire Avenue. We ALL felt a deep loss of meaning. Spamming was an issue.

Does the Empire Avenue team listen to loud voices that rise from EAv users? Is this team capable of adjusting it's action plan? I'm wondering...

This week, Empire Avenue launched a new messaging device, introducing mass communications (to shareholders).

A month ago, I asked Empire Avenue for mass communication tools, but geared towards facilitating community networking. I personally don't care about any 'Buy me' message. Everyone wants that on Empire Avenue! What is the point of mass communicating this? Or 'Have a good week-end' message. Well thanks. But I don't have time to read this on a daily basis. Receiving dozens of this kind of messages weekly: in a very short period of time, you end up being annoyed. (My opinion) The new mass communication device reinforces the exodus' message coming from EAv users that left last month. (My prediction) It is the best way to lose more players.

Empire Avenue is not just a game. It is also a powerful networking tool. People are not all alike. Society is composed of a variety of people. Diversity. Some people eventually get tired of the superficial. Quest for meaning in life: it also exists on Empire Avenue.

What could develop individual empowerment and strengthen links? What would add challenge to players?

What happens once a player reaches the top? Women who get there, I noticed they get bored after a month! Maybe that is because women don't think like men. How many women are there in the Empire Avenue team? Women see things differently. It's a proven reality. So this probably affects how women play the game and their perception of Empire Avenue.

'I think my disappointment comes from the slow realization that the way it works right now is to continually upgrade... which means continually spending actual money', Allie Wojtaszek told me.

Human beings can experience seven different levels of consciousness. Wall Street gaming (on Empire Avenue) corresponds to a Level 2 of consciousness.

Level 2 (the reactive mode) >>> Your achievement in life is based on success, power, authority, prestige and other rewards of the ego. This is the mode that creates our identity. Beyond mere survival, everyone seeks to meet the needs of the I, me and mine. You want to succeed and you realize yourself by competing with others.

Most big Empire Avenue eavers are creators, which corresponds to a Level 5 of consciousness.

Level 5 (the creative mode) >>> Your achievement in life is based on inspiration, the development of artistic or scientific creativity, and passion of discovery. You keep inventing new goals, new concepts, and to discover new facts. This creativity seems to spring from nowhere - the unknown simply generates new thoughts. It is the inspiration. You are amazed by the beauty and complexity of life.

Top eavers are creators. Click on the following links to read their biography. Allie Wojtaszek @allie (e)ALLIE; Chris Latko @clatko (e)CLATKO; Adriel Hampton @adrielhampton (e)ADRIEL; Lance Taylor @lancetay (e)RANGER; Lyne Robichaud @Lyne_Robichaud (e)PAPIER. William Pitcher (e)RZR is a talented photographer.

Yesterday, Cindy Smith @reigny (e)REIGN posted this article on Facebook about 'Survival of the kindest' (Level 6 of consciousness)

'In a wide range of studies, social scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.' Science is moving closer to spirituality. Scientists now say that 'empathy is in our genes'.

Level 6 (the visionary mode) >>> Your achievement in life is based on compassion, dedication to others and the universal love.

'Studies show that bonding and making social connections can make for a healthier, more meaningful life.'

The Empire Avenue team should be aware of this reality, and incorporate it in its developing plan. It's OK to continue to improve a Level 2 of consciousness. But there should also be brainstorms and actions geared towards development of a Level 6 of consciousness on Empire Avenue. Because human beings from all over the world are networking via Empire Avenue. And because were are not all standing at Level 2.

Ex-Top People Shares (No.1) on Empire Avenue left a month ago to focus on fundraising. Allie Wojtaszek @allie (e)ALLIE volunteers for fundraising. Chris Latko @clatko (e)CLATKO has more than 240,000 Twitter followers. That's a Level 6 of consciousness! More Level 6: Adriel Hampton @adrielhampton (e)ADRIEL disseminates gov2.0 information worldwide with @Gov20Radio and his sophisticated systems of multiple digital identities. William Pitcher (e)RZR is a pro in fundraising campaigns. And whenever I open my mouth, I keep talking about empowerment, collective intelligence and collective consciousness.

Follow global trends! Gov2.0 now has a Global Citizenship track.

A Level 6 of consciousness means: SOLIDARITY, ONENESS, SAMENESS, UNIFICATION, FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, KINDNESS, TEAMWORK. DEEPER LINKS. MEANINGFUL NETWORKING. FUNDRAISING. FINDING GLOBAL SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS.

* Dups is the kickname for Duleepa Wijayawardhana, CEO of Empire Avenue and social media expert