Shirky makes a compelling argument for the power of collaboration in Institutions vs Collaboration.
How is it that a loosely connected group of people can consistently create better products than major corporations like Microsoft and General Motors? They collaborate!
Take a look at Wikipedia. There is only one employee and he is a systems administrator. Everyone else involved volunteers their contributions. Does it work? You bet! Wikipedia has become one of the most successful websites in recent years.
Shirky’s presentation points out the weakness of bureaucracy suffered by large organizations. He points out how institutions hate to face the reality they are a barrier to their own success. He says they go through four stages of acceptance; denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. Does this remind you of the Republican Party of late?
Beware Microsoft! Linux may be eating your lunch soon.
This is a great vodcast for any course covering organizational theory or leadership. I suggest a learning objective such as “the viewer will discuss the strengths of collaboration over traditional organizational models after viewing this video.”
View the vodcast at TEDTalks.
* * * * * Very interesting!
