Caught in immobility

Comment to Marc Garriga, in one of my Edgeryders mission reports:

It would be the ideal thing to do, to collaborate with authorities who demonstrate willingness to act (ie ‘explicit support’ regarding open government), where there would be no need to push them in the back, or to send them a staggering number of letters to convince them of making the slightest move.

Time passes and nothing happens. Whole years go by. While others around you explore and bloom, you look in the mirror and there is nothing there to see. At some point, you realize that it could probably go on like this for decades: trapped in a kind of protected floating bubble, isolated from information and innovation, in part because of the language barrier. Citizens do not even know what they are missing, because they are kept in the dark. The society of silence extends to traditional media, who talk about everything except what is important.

Sometimes, some citizens get angry and try to protest. 200.000 of them, even 300.000 sign petitions. But petitions are ignored. People know that their actions were in vain. Therefore, they get less and less likely to protest at the next opportunity. Officials continue to do as they are pleased.

I found nothing better to do than run away, in order to continue to do things that I love and hang on to my dreams. Otherwise, I'd be dead inside. At home, that I observe from my distant observatory, everything remains frozen in near immobility. This inaction is recognized and condemned by all. Not a week goes by without a significant take to lament the matter publicly.

What is it we need? We need some form of cataclysm - to act as an adrenaline rush. Because simple rationality seems powerless to provoke the people, to the point that officials could accept such a vague concept as change. While change is synonymous with evolution, with its tendency to move slowly, what is desired by many, including myself, is speed.

"The bond of trust between politicians and citizens is completely broken, and they want change," said MP Bernard Landry. “Citizens want politicians to cease to be "in [their] bubble." (ref)

We need fresh air. We need to change stagnant water. The attraction for individualism is strong, while the solution - you totally understood it Marc - is inexorably toward its opposite, solidarity. However, collective identity has become faulty: it fails to win the greatest number and, therefore, it is unable to unite us in action.

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