MySpace and IM caught some headlines at the end of March 2006 for helping mobilize student protests over US immigration policy. This NPR piece includes some background.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Traditional media folks and maybe older people in general may not understand this, but social networking via the Internet is just going to explode in the months and years to come. It is not going away. Schools are doing things like banning all searches for the word "MySpace" from their school network, but what is that really accomplishing? Why aren't those administrators and teachers concerned about helping prepare their students for the networked world of TODAY, as well as the rapidly changing environment they will face in the future?

I think it is easier for most people to just say, "block it," rather than try to understand it and ask the critical question, "What is this and what does this mean for schools, education, and democracy?"

The implications are huge. The $100 laptop is going to be a reality soon. These are big changes. HUGE changes. Disruptive changes.

Personally, I think it is very exciting. Clearly there are and will continue to be cases of people using these tools poorly, to hurt others, etc. No doubt we have to learn how to be safe and help others be safe in these environments. But we also need to recognize how powerfully constructive these tools can be. That is a big reason I'm here on MySpace. To learn from others, as well as be shaped in my own perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about a lot of things.

But mostly, about things I care about. Like making this world in which we live a better place.

OK, I have something to rant about. I just saw an ad on my MySpace homepage for the "beautiful people" profile, which I guess is an ad for a TV Show on ABC. Why is everyone pictured in the ad white? Ah, of course. Because this is a traditional media outlet advertisement, whose producers may be ignoring the fact that the world is composed of beautiful people of all different colors.

I haven't seen the show, just the ad. I was offended.

I am starting this myspace site because I am an idealist, and I know many other people out there are too. I know we can change the world, because we have the chance to have conversations with each other. Conversations and relationships change us. There are things worth fighting for in this world, evil that we should stand up against, things we should be mad about, and issues we should work together to address and solve.

We are living in the 21st century, and have the most advanced tools for communication and networking at our fingertips that have EVER existed in the history of the planet. We have tremendous power, especially when we work together.

That is why I am here on MySpace. I'm also here to learn more about MySpace and how other people are using it, because I am concerned that my people (especially some young people) are making some bad decisions. We need to understand how to use social networking tools like MySpace effectively and safely.

I don't think schools should just ban all access to MySpace and hope that "the problem" will go away. It won't, and it is not all "a problem." MySpace represents an amazing opportunity for global networking and communication. Like any other tool, it can be abused and used poorly. But it can also be used powerfully and well. Learning about this process is why I'm here.

I don't have the answers, but am on a quest to learn. I hope you'll join me. :-)