Great feature from The Economist Christmas edition that illustrates perfectly how "social" is a combination of behaviour, content and technology...in this case the early printing press.

A brilliant video with Terry Gilliam showing how constraint can inspire great creativity.

In this Ted X presentation Alan Moore argues that a combination of social, economic and organisation problems facing society mean that we need to revaluate the way we live and work.

In other words we face a design problem in the way that our societies and organisations are structured.

I think part of the challenge is that we need to evolve a new vocabulary, based on the principles of mutuality, that will enable us as individuals and organisations to better engage with the forces shaping our society.

Firms that encourage customers to talk to each other, to form affinity groups and hobby tribes, will breed smarter and more loyal customers while creating smarter products and services.

For me this post by Kevin Kelly captures how Apple - often labelled the least "social" of brands - realised the value of User Groups to build its customer base.

An excellent demonstration of the value that community brings to brands.

The birth of a new profession?