December 2002 Next Steps

One Economy is trying to bridge economic and digital divides of society. Study the Beehive and the six categories its arranged around. Discuss if these are the best way to subdivide life or what else would you add/subtract? Volunteer with One Economy or a similar group such as Meals On Wheels or at a food bank. How could these groups use the web to simplify operations and better serve its recipients? How else can the web affect the six divisions of life for struggling families?
Anthropologie is showing women a new way to shop. Visit Anthropologie or the small business district near you. Observe instances where culture and commerce intersect, or potentially could. Do you find yourself wanting to spend more time there than regular home and clothing stores? Or try going on a group 'cultural odyssey' to see how much culture you can absorb in one day. By the end do you feel exhausted or enriched? Try and design an Anthropoligie-esque store geared toward men. What would it sell, and who would 'the friend' of the store be?
Linda Tischler traveled the states to find who's thriving in bad times. Chances are she skipped your city. Survey your group and conduct a manhunt to single out whose thriving in your area. Walk around the business district to see which offices are busy, stores have crowds, etc. Can you conclude there are specific industries that do their best in bad times?

Daniel Richards contributed this month's Next Steps.

December 2002 Connexus | Flash Points | Next Steps