Technology fails … yet connects me globally … and encourages me to blog! Several days ago, I was a participant in a wonderful webinar about facilitation. I didn’t know who else was participating. Thirty minutes into the session, the Internet capabilities failed and we were disconnected. However, through some technological fluke, I remained in a three-way conversation with two participants; one in Melbourne, Australia and one in Cleveland, Ohio – and I in Calgary Alberta Canada. We had an enjoyable and informative chat for five minutes – Where are you? Who are you? What do you do? How do you facilitate? - until we were also disconnected.
How does this experience link with the topic of my blog: facilitation? For months, friends and colleagues have encouraged me to blog. I have hesitated for several reasons. Firstly, why would anyone want to read my ideas and thoughts? Secondly, in my role as a facilitator, I am an objective member of a group of people; helping them to hold productive conversations, asking them what they think, and rarely expressing my ideas about the topic they are discussing. Blogging seems like I would set myself up as the expert; sending ideas out without asking anyone about them. Lastly, in my work as a facilitator, I am normally with groups of individuals in face-to-face settings. A blog seems too impersonal; too isolated; a far cry from watching facial expressions, hearing voice intonations, and observing body language.
How did the webinar techno-flop give me the final push into the world of blogging? Through the webinar, (albeit by a failure!), I unexpectedly conversed with two individuals I did not know. This serendipitous event was fun! It made me think that maybe I could find unexpected conversations through the technology of blogging. As well, I and the two others in the conversation were genuinely interested in what each other had to say. Maybe people will want to read what I write and will respond. After all, I love reading blogs! Maybe sending my blog out into the world wide web will allow me to do what I love - facilitate productive and meaningful conversations –through a different type of medium.
I hope by writing a weekly blog about facilitation, others will comment and we will create a conversation. So, here are my weekly Blog Conversation Questions: What is your most memorable techno-failure that turned out to be a success? What did you learn from it?
Hope to hear from you!
Love it Barb, your honest, clear reflections now shared world-wide, yeah!!
ReplyDeleteMy techno failure - email and website down at the same time. Loved not being in touch with the cyberworld because it made me think about how and who I'm really connecting with, why I'm using technology, and IF it's the way to go.