Google’s blog posted an article on the ‘Davos question’, which is: “What one thing do you think that countries, companies or individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008?”
Every year, many of the world’s top leaders from politics, business and the global community — including some of our own — attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss how to make the world a better place. This year, we wanted to give people around the world the chance to join them, and help them, by submitting their own answers to “the Davos Question” according to google’s post.
The principle is that everyone of us should post a short youtube clip to contribute in the improvement of the world (after we think about it during the christmas period). [see also the TechNewsSource post on the subject]
The wisdom of crowds
The Davos question is surely an initiative that shows its trust to the people. It takes advantage of the social web and gives the opportunity to everyone to contribute to the commons. It applies the concept of collective intelligence in its full extent, since it invites a group of diverse, independent individuals to collectively make a decision/suggestion. After all democracy and free markets are based on this ideal.
Some suggestions are already on the run:
- Scobleizer has a suggestion
- Compasion in politics has a post too.
Criticism
Although the Davos initiative honestly makes me very glad, I can’t stop being also a bit skeptical. The reasons are numerous:
- is there really one answer to such a question? Where should we begin? Environment, corruption, wealth, war. The questions sounds a little bit naive.
- will really world’s top leaders listen to the online community?
- My skeptical, conspiracy-prone alter ego, suggests that it is just a way to make the crowd feel like they actually contribute to this discourse.
I really don’t know what to expect. My optimistic side surely finds the Davos question on youtube really great. My pessimistic side is a bit more critical (a view also seen by a mashable post: Davos Question: PR move or security measure?). But anyway I will observe the development of the online (and offline) discussion - and also participate in it - and keep you posted.
But honestly now, how do you find this proposal of an open, online, Davos question?
