CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World

by Tom Watson

"In CauseWired, Tom Watson has written the seminal book on peer-to-peer philanthropy and its counterpart movements in politics and branding."—Charles Best, Founder, DonorsChoose.org

"Whether you're a net-native college student or a geezer like me, CauseWired is required reading if want to understand the future of activism and engagement. Tom Watson gives deep, insider perspectives on the transformative potential of social networking and other innovations for linking communication and compassion."—Mario Morino, Chairman, Venture Philanthropy Partners

"With eloquence and enthusiasm borne of deep experience in the world of social change and philanthropy, Tom Watson describes the intersection of causes and technology and shares a compelling vision of a philanthropic future powered by the social web. This is an essential book about one of the Internet's most important functions: bringing people together to help make our world a better place."—Peter Daou, Internet Advisor to Senator Hillary Clinton

"CauseWired is a fascinating look into the rapidly evolving world of the Internet, social networking, and social change. Watson demonstrates how individuals are using new digital outlets and tools—most importantly, blogging, social networking, and online giving platforms—to explore how we may each act to impact the critical events of our day, from the 2008 election to Hurricane Katrina and Darfur. His engaging writing style and breadth of perspective help us see not only what is happening today, but what will happen in the years to come as we each act upon our potential to change our world and communities."—Jed Emerson, Managing Director for Integrated Performance, Uhuru Capital

"If you don't want to be left behind in our new wired society—or if you're already behind—this book is a must-read! Tom Watson has produced what could be a marketing bible for the field of philanthropy, and a primer for individuals who want to help change the world." —Judy Miller, Director, Hilton Humanitarian Prize

An eye-opening guide to the massive societal impact of online social networks

For today's super-wired, always-on, live-life-in-public young Americans, the causes they support define who they are. Societal aspirations have so permeated the "net native" population that causes have become like musical tastes. CauseWired illustrates wired causes in action, bringing real-world stories to readers.

The first book to track the massive societal impact on causes of online social networks--from blogs, to video, to the rise of social networks, CauseWired reveals the extraordinary influence of online social networks--in raising money for charity, in changing the political climate and electing candidates, and in raising consciousness for causes.

From Facebook causes and campaigns on MySpace, to a raft of new startups and innovative projects, and political movements like the Obama campaign and Save Darfur, this immensely relevant book delivers actionable research and recommendations to help readers launch their own successful wired social campaigns.

Tom Watson (Mount Vernon, NY) is the publisher of onPhilanthropy.com and founder of newcritics.com, an online journal of culture. A contributing writer to the Huffington Post with a 25-year professional career that includes the founding of two companies and several popular online publications, he is Chief Strategy Officer of Changing Our World Inc., a national philanthropic services company.

Genres: Business, Social Science

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR. This profile might contain books by more than one author with this name.

Reviews

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would have read had I not received it for my participation in Blog Action Day 2008. (Yes, I've had the book for a year and just now got around to reading it. That's actually pretty good considering there was no deadline.) I'm not usually interested in current events books (that's what the internet is for) or books about how OMG teh intarwebs are changing everything (ditto). But I also never pass up a free book, which has probably done more to broaden my horizons than any concerted effort on my part.

But that's neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that I would not have picked up this book on my own, but I'm glad I read it. It is more or less a discussion of the impact of social media (Web 2.0, Facebook, that kind of stuff) on philanthropy. From Hurricane Katrina to the 2008 US presidential campaign to a myriad of other internet start-up charities, there's a whole lot of information in this relatively slim volume. I was particularly drawn in by the descriptions of Kiva and DonorsChoose, both of which are about reducing the middlemen between the donor and the receiver. I even made a loan on Kiva to Saret Sao in Cambodia. The idea of helping a specific person really appeals to me, and the knowledge of what exactly my money is doing makes me want to donate more. At worst, I don't get my $25 back. I can deal with that. At best, I help a businesswoman grow her business. Which is awesome.

Some of the book bored me, such as the discussion of the 2008 presidential campaign. I suspect that might be because it's too recent; I'm still tired of the nonstop politicking leading up to the election. The liberal bias was a touch irksome too, which is telling considering I voted for most of the candidates Watson was praising. (For example, where did he get the idea that Ron Paul was an anarchist? People who are truly anti-government don't run for office under the banner of a major political party. They'd put all their cronies out of a job.) I suspect, being a blogger and a Twitterer and a Facebooker and (sort of) a "millennial" already, I am not the target audience anyway. But once elections were off the table, the rest of the book was surprisingly engaging, and made me want to do more research on my own. The list of links and references in the back alone are worth photocopying.

So in short: I'd recommend this book if you're a jaded would-be philanthropist looking for new opportunities. Yes, the billionaire donors are still the world-changers, but slowly us ordinary guys are banding together and making a difference.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick survey of recent trends: the conjunction of social networking and other Web 2.0 media with politcal, philanthropic and other good-cause organizations—Causes on Facebook, kiva.org, the "macaca incident." As often it is with books of this sort, each chapter reads like a free-standing magazine article, with the usual duplications (how many times do we need to be told what a widget is?). The work would benefit from some tighter editing.

The author doesn't even appear to be committed to the ugly neologism of the title. Watson writes on p. xxii: "The nascent online social activist sector (allow me to call it CauseWired to please my publishers)..."

The tone is generally upbeat and uncritical, so it's refreshing that Watson sounds a few notes of cynical realism in the closing pages of the last chapter.

Still, I was introduced to a couple of organizations that I'd like to investigate further, like Razoo.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent (optimistic) snapshot of wired micro-philanthropy and social marketing online. Only useful if you don't know much about this field. I also found it a bit too rosy for my taste--the jury is still out on what impact all of this admittedly encouraging activity will have in the long run.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about social media in our current day. It's primary focus is on the use of social media to promote causes, but it also touches on the presence of social media in business and in journalism. It's interesting if you really care about the topic.

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good introduction to the "causewired sector". The structure is a bit jumpy, but Watson gets the job done.

[Laura]

Ok

[Tkelleyireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excited by the book, and have gone back to reference it a number of times. Says it the way i only wish i could