Helping in the Digital Age
When the worst happens, people often show their best. From Katrina, to the tsunami to the Haitian earthquake, we see how quickly people from around the world can come together to help as best they can. Over the years, our ability to act upon our inclination to help has been greatly enhance by the communication made possible in the digital age.
Though it seems macabre, being able to see what is happening on the ground in a disaster provides us with a real sense of the need, a motivation we may otherwise lack. From reports on the official news sites, and blogs to tweets and Facebook updates, our ability to stay informed about the realities on the ground are made possible, and made available on line or on mobile, by the tremendous advances in digital technology. This “connect-ability” helps us understand the importance of our personal involvement to assist those in great need.
But, by its very nature, the connection we have is two-way and allows us to act upon our inclination to help. Virtually any digital contact point provides us with ways to help.
Email allows disaster relief agencies such as the Red Cross to keep subscribers informed about the most recent developments and needs. We can easily donate funds, or find opportunities to volunteer.
Mobile communications make it easy for mass amounts of people to donate quickly. As with so many good intentions, the longer it takes us to act upon them, the less likely we are to act at all. Over 700,000 donations of $10 each were provided to the Red Cross in two days, and continues! As I tell my kids almost every day, “little things lead to big things.” $10 became $7 million in two days.
Twitter provides quick snippets which we can easily pursue. This has been a great way for aid agencies, media and individuals to get the word out, inform and ask for assistance.
Facebook has numerous pages developed by relief agencies to help keep fans informed of what is happening. This covers not only the problems on the ground, but what is being done to help people (using the donations provided by contributors from around the world).
Blogs personalize the reality. Help us see it from and individual perspective and give us an emotional connection not possible in the world of mass media of just over a decade ago.
Every day, we work with this great communication tool to help our clients grow their business, and that is important. It is through the growing commercial use of the technology that it can be financially supported and be ready to facility our desire to help others when disasters strike. Now, when used to help others, is when the real value of the digital age becomes apparent.
