My Irrational Exuberance for the Web -- Justified

Every once in a while my irrational exuberance for the web proves not to be so irrational after all. I got an email from my friend Tod the other day with a link to a new blog he started last month called Cooking In The Bathroom.

His blog is not only an entertaining take-off on a great Seinfeld episode when Kramer wants to multitask and ends up cooking in his shower (and installing a garbage disposal in the drain — ouch!), but also a reflection of Tod’s passion for cooking in a very small San Francisco apartment that doesn’t have a kitchen — but does have a bathroom!! It’s a fun and entertaining read, complete with real recipes (although I’m holding out for a tutorial on how to make homemade tortillas.)

But Tod’s blog is more than an amusing diversion, it’s a celebration of the anti-professional bent of the Web. So much of the 20th century business culture was focused on the “professionalization” of services and organizations. We saw this acutely in the nonprofit sector where more and more organizations became stuffed full of professional staff who had graduate degrees in managing those organizations (myself included!).

The web allows people to practice and express their passions without needing a degree or publishing contract to share it with the world. The most exciting developments in social change efforts over the last several years were catalyzed by individuals using social media to self-organize for change – individual amateur bloggers, photographers, and passionate activists who also have day jobs.

But please note that I am using the word “amateur”, particularly as it relates to social change, with great admiration. Amateurs created Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Greenpeace. I spoke to a beautiful amateur yesterday who spearheaded the fundraising effort for the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund’s winning effort as part of America’s Giving Challenge last January. Oh, and by the way, Julia Child never actually worked as a chef for pay. Vive Amateurs!