Record Turn Out For Speaker Simon Collister, Expert On How New Media And
Social Networks Are Impacting Democracy, Politics And Public Policy
Simon Collister grew up in Ramsey and has held leadership roles in digital
and social media in world-leading public relations firms including his
current employer Weber Shandwick and in the past Edelman UK.
"The participatory web is rapidly overcoming barriers which made full
participatory democracy, as opposed to the representative democracy we have
currently, more viable as a political system," said Simon. "Technology
itself is not capable of reconnecting politics with people. People feel
politically disenfranchised because the political systems in most Western
democracies are specifically designed to keep most people removed from
processes of empowerment.
"If politicians and political parties want to reconnect with people then
they need to change the way they do things. Doing the same old thing using
new technology will not politically re-enfranchise people."
The event was sponsored by Ramsey-based Charterhouse Group International,
the leading provider of remuneration solutions to the global staffing
industry.
The Isle of Man Social Media Club, with the motto, 'If you get it, share
it' aims to expand media literacy, share lessons learnt, encourage adoption
of industry standards and promote ethical online practices.
"Simon covered a lot of things I'd heard of before, but didn't really
understand until now," said Sharon Kissack of Ambitions Recruitment who
attended Super Third Thursday. "My interest has been piqued and now I'm
keen to learn more about social media."
The Isle of Man Social Media Club (SMC) meets on the third Thursday of each
month for an informal discussion on the developments in the world of social
media. On occasion they hold Super ThirdThursday meetings, more structured
events usually involving a guest speaker. Everyone is welcome and there is
no cost to attend. Check out
http://www.facebook.com/people/Manx-Thirdthursday/1344362749 for more
information.