VasGk | Κοινωνικό Νερό

I thought to look back and read my last 2009 post . I remembered that I set some goals for 2010. So how did I do so far? Well: I did write more Blog Posts (this is my 50th for 2010 , in comparison to 32 for 2009 ), a trend that I want to continue in 2011. I also did a bit of academic work, researching and presenting to the 6th International Political Marketing conference on the topic of "Blogger Outreach Strategies" You can read: " Blogs & political campaigns, what do bloggers want? " & " Political Marketing - Managing Negative Blog Posts ". I also worked on a number of social media campaigns for brands and corporations, let me say one thing here: do it In-House! There are so many bad examples of social media relations that forget the fact that corporate social media should be personal, honest and real. Which brings me to my 2009 P.S.... I didn't publish my second book in 2010, and I will not try to excuse myself on this. I should have ...

Hey everybody, It has been long since my last Blog post; but I have been keeping active in my social media responsibilities… Hope to tweet even more now that I will have my new blackberry! As you might have noticed, I currently work at the The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna. I am at the PPIS (this stands for Press and Public Information Section) in developing a social media strategy for the Organization and using a multimedia approach to get the OSCE message out, create awareness and further expand the communication strategy. Check out the official facebook page of the OSCE , follow OSCE updates on twitter and be sure to watch our videos on the OSCE YouTube channel! Will try to Blog even more! But keep up with me on twitter!

Keeping with current events, I want to share with you a speech that President-elect Barack Obama gave at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, DC.

I've been rather busy of late, but I did manage to read some articles on how social media have promoted democracy, and how people are more involved with politics, elections, campaigns ... and with one another... due to web 2.0 tools. I also had a read about democracy (and direct democracy ) and social media . I believe that the Internet has given an opportunity to all people to be more involved, share their views and take action ...oh and donate money... So, people are more engaged and their views are out there for politicians to take them into consideration. But wait... just because I Blog and use facebook and social groups or use twitter to write what I'm doing does not make me an active citizen in my community in real life. Sure, it makes me an active member, but, in an online constituency, sharing my views with like minded people. Participatory democracy needs people to be involved, and YES you can be involved through social media. You will also need to act in real lif...

I came across this very interesting article in the New York Times I believe that given the "change theme" of the new Presidency, President Barack Obama should keep on emailing directly to the people that sign up for email updates from change.gov or whitehouse.org It is the power of direct communications that can provide the Obama Presidency a straightforward link to concerned citizens, and create a no-clutter, media bias free, message delivered directly to a huge base already gathered from the campaign. Security issues need to be addressed, but the opportunity of the President being able to speak to the people should not be missed. People got used to being so engaged with politics during the election, they expect to be so during the tenure of the new administration.

Internet communications make a difference in changing government and shaping new policies.  You see, President-elect Barack Obama isn't the only one that believes in the power of the people, or how direct communications between citizens and politicians play a big role.   President G. W. Bush at the Mercantile Exchange in 
Chicago, Illinois on March 6 2001  is quoted:  See, I believe in the power of the people. I truly do. I do. I believe that when you email a congressman or a senator, it makes a difference. It makes a difference. And so that's why I'm traveling the country. And that's why I came here. I'd like for you to contact your congressman, and contact your senator, and tell them to come on the side of the people, when it comes to what to do with your money. Listen to this quote:

Just a quick note on why the U.S. citizens vote on a Tuesday. Curtsey of whytuesday.org In 1845, before Florida, California, and Texas were states or slavery had been abolished, Congress needed to pick a time for Americans to vote. We were an agrarian society. We traveled by horse and buggy. Farmers needed a day to get to the county seat, a day to vote, and a day to get back, without interfering with the three days of worship. So that left Tuesday and Wednesday, but Wednesday was market day. So, Tuesday it was. In 1875 Congress extended the Tuesday date for national House elections and in 1914 for federal Senate elections. Today, we are an urban society, and we all know how hard it is to commute to our jobs, take care of the children, and get our work done, let alone stand on lines to vote. Indeed, Census data over the last decade clearly indicates that the inconvenience of voting is the primary reason Americans are not participating in our elections. If we can move Columbus Day, Pres...

I came across one of the new websites from Google labs, "In Quotes" . Although the site can become a huge quote bank, it has started by compering quotes from politicians in the U.S. UK, Canada and India. The spin feature (pun intended) selects random quotes from the candidates on a specific issue. Issues, so far, range from abortion to the war in Iraq and from human rights to nuclear proliferation. The sites offers people raw information, and frames news and opinion subjects, in specific 3 or 4 line answers. In doing so, visitors can compare and contrast, while reading quotes from statements made in news sites, press conferences, TV interviews, speeches and the Internet. Now YouTube includes speech recognition in searches for spoken content . A good move from Google (one of the few companies that didn't felt the credit crunch) P.S. 10 days to Election day.

I haven't commented on the Nader campaign so far, well, I didn't see anything interesting... but wait... Ralf Nader will share his mother Hummus recipe if you contribute any amount of money but it has to have at least one three in it. So what the Nader/Gonzalez campaign is saying is: contribute to the campaign, we will email you Nader's mom hummus recipe, and then please vote for us on election day. It is a rather interesting way to entice voters to donate to your campaign, but I must say, when I first saw it, I found it really funny. Would be very interesting to see how much money will be donated because of the Hummus... Ralph's Mom will be proud!

The Republicans Abroad in Greece, invited the Democrats Abroad , Hard Rock Cafe provided the venue … and it was ON. The debate was played again and the crowd cheered for the President to be. United States Ambassador to Greece, Daniel V. Speckhard was there as well. I really enjoyed the whole atmosphere, it was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new people interested in the U.S. Elections. Debate wise, I want to say that the first debate didn’t really lived up to hype. Both candidates were well prepared, in a controlled setting. My opinion: No one won the 1st debate, Obama didn’t make the difference, McCain needed to do better. Looking forward to the town hall type debate. Thank you to Katerina and Ioanna for the coffee and brownies!

The Republican attack machine at it again. I must say I have really enjoyed the exchanges of negative ads between the two campaigns. One distinct difference though, and one that you wouldn’t expect, the ads from the McCain campaign are better! exposing Obama in attacking his strong points (fame, popularity, celebrity status). The McCain campaign compared Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears , in response the Obama campaign compared McCain to President George W. Bush . The McCain campaign attacked Obama’s values, the Obama campaign attacked the President. A daring move from the McCain camp, that worked! Now everyone is talking how the elections would be a referendum on Obama, and if he is fit to become President, while McCain is ready to be President!

Again, it seems that Hillary and Chelsea Clinton really need the money... on a recent email update they ask people to attend Mother's day celebration in NYC, depending on the amount you pay, a photo op awaits you... Check it out...

Βασίλειος Γκινόπουλος «Το λεξικό του Ρουσφετιού και της Κομπίνας» Εκδόσεις Παπαζήση Η κοινωνική ανοχή στη διαπλοκή και την διαφθορά, φέρνει στο προσκήνιο λέξεις και φράσεις με νοήματα που είναι είτε λυπηρά, είτε αστεία. Οι χρόνιες παθογένειες του κρατικού και επιχειρηματικού μας συστήματος καταλήγουν σε ρουσφέτια και κομπίνες. Η Λερναία Ύδρα του λεξικού του Ρουσφετιού και της Κομπίνας έχει 270 λέξεις και εκφράσεις που χαρακτηρίζουν έναν ιδιαίτερο τρόπο σκέψης και επικοινωνίας στη Ελλάδα. Καθημερινώς ακούμε, διαβάζουμε και χρησιμοποιούμε λέξεις και εκφράσεις που προσδιορίζουν ένα χαρακτηριστικό του σημερινού Νεοέλληνα. Την ανάγκη του να ¨κάνει την καλή¨, να βρει μια ¨επιδότηση¨ και να τα ¨αρπάξει¨. Το βιβλίο αυτό αποκαλύπτει και παρουσιάζει. Αναδεικνύει ένα μέρος της σύγχρονης Ελλάδας, μίας χώρας που συχνά παρομοιάζεται με άλλες χώρες, υποσαχάριας Αφρικής… Το λεξικό του Ρουσφετιού και της Κομπίνας, με εύθυμο και συνάμα γλαφυρό τρόπο αναδεικνύει και παρουσιάζει ένα μέρος της σύγχρονης...