Author: JP

Cadbury’s used to make a chocolate bar called a Wispa. Some four years ago it was withdrawn, for some enterprise reason or the other. You know how these things happen.

Anyway, since its withdrawal, fans have clamoured for its reinstatement, but to no avail. Their voices lacked coherence, they weren’t visible.

In the post facebook world all this changed. The pressure group, all 14,000 of them, became visible and vocal. Via Facebook.

And Cadbury’s listened.

The chocolate bar will be reintroduced in October.

Markets are conversations.

I think I’ve already said this, but my memory is not what it used to be. Anyway, my next post on Facebook and the Enterprise will focus on the issue of enfranchisement. Watch this space.

Update: Here is a link to the story in the Herald Tribune.

I should have checked there first, more fool me. Howard Rheingold’s Syllabus for Virtual Communities and Social Networks at Stanford. As you would expect, it contains some of the references that have come up in my posts and in the comments received, and a whole lot more besides. I am told that Hillery’s definitions of community alone make the delving worth the while.

My thanks to Howard and to Stephen for getting me worked up in the first place.

In part 2 of Facebook and the Enterprise, I raised the issue of Bloomberg and yelled for Sean’s help. I cannot be sure that Sean actually saw that yell for help, but he’s responded anyway, making the crucial connection I wanted him to make. Part of me expected that he would do so anyway, he’s that kind of guy.

Anyone interested in seeing how “addictive” communications can made significant business impact should start with reading Sean’s latest post.

This story warmed the cockles of my heart, and made me realise yet again the true extent of disenfranchisement. It also made me continue to dream about the ways in which Web 2.0 can accelerate re-enfranchisement. It’s a story about a man who’s been hand-writing a paper for the past 21 years, photocopying it and making it available to subscribers using various ways and means.

While on the subject of citizen media, it’s been instructive to watch what’s been happening in Bangladesh via the blogosphere and via MSM. Vive la difference.

How else would I have come across the delightful adventures of Mog and Tilly, as created by Jenny Bartle? fabulous stuff.

Just how did I get there? Well, no blog is an island. So when WordPress and Technorati tell me that someone’s linked to me, I go and check. And wander around aimlessly. And read. It’s one of the ways I discover new blogs.

Today I found a link coming in from Bill MacKenty, rooted around his blog, and (given my passion for that weird space where information technology meets education) linked to him straightaway. While reading his stuff, something stuck in my head, way in the back of my head. Richard Bartle. Didn’t he write some book on virtual worlds? Something stirred deep in my memory, so I had to check. See whether the Richard Bartle that Bill MacKenty recommended was the same Richard Bartle I’d read.

And bingo. Richard Bartle. The very same guy. Another fascinating read.

So much to do, so little time. If that’s the way you feel go visit Jenny Bartle’s site and read her Mog and Tilly cartoons.