Some thinking about effecting real change via social media

Just some off the cuff comments from Congress.org, part of Congressional Quarterly/Roll Call.

The theme focuses on what's real:

Craig Newmark is out to save the world using the Internet. The Craigslist founder
believes social networks can help people work together and create
change, whether it is tea parties organizing rallies or the Obama
campaign recruiting voters.

And while he might not be the right guy for the job - "I'm not smart
enough and I'm surely too lazy," he told Congress.org - he plans to
"talk everyone else into saving the world." Online tools like Facebook
and Twitter are the key arsenal in his strategy.

The self-professed nerd doesn't consider himself an activist, but he
does feel a responsibility to the millions of Craigslist users for whom
he provides customer service.

"Customer service, if you do it in good conscience, is public
service," he said, adding, "Once you make enough money... it's more fun to
change things."