Speaker: Real Relationships in a Virtual Space #NMTrain

Are you joining us in Leeds today? I’ll be kicking off the day with:

Controlling the message through social media: what role can it play? #DresdenFEB12

I’m currently at the Federation of European Broadcasters 13th International Conference at Kim Hotel Dresden, about to give the following Plenary:

Interview on @PremierRadio with @Lor_Fenton

On 31st January I was interviewed by Loretta Fenton on Woman to Woman on Premier, talking about ‘Friendship in a Digital Age‘ (Downloadable MP3). (14 minutes, FF through adverts!), or listen here:

Workshop: Engaging in the Twittersphere with @C_of_E

This afternoon’s workshop in Leicester:

Social Media for the Scared, March 2012 @C_of_E

Running this workshop (in Leicester, for the first time) … it’s always a whistle-stop tour:

Humanity 2.0

This book looks interesting – what has techno-scientific progress done to our humanity, from a theological perspective:

As its title indicates, this book is an attempt to unravel what it means to be human in the past, present and future. Its ambition is to provide “a comprehensive set of historical, philosophical and sociological resources” for readers to ask their own questions and draw conclusions. In exploring the origin and fate of our biological roots as a defining human feature, Steve Fuller weighs our attempts to transcend biology via humanism and egalitarianism, and our divine aspirations to make the transition from animals to gods. He considers the origin and history of the sciences, and how today’s converging technologies promise enhanced individual and social well-being – not to mention enhanced humans.

Finally, he draws on theological perspectives to argue that human and divine minds overlap sufficiently in their intelligence and creativity for the former to take full control of a techno-scientific (re)creation of the entire world, thereby permitting us to evolve into “humanity 2.0″, which is, he says, a step closer to a divine standpoint. In other words, our intelligence and creativity is on a continuum with that of God, and we cannot do without faith in this deity if we are to cultivate enough enthusiasm in young people to inspire them to attempt techno-scientific conquests of the world and of ourselves.

Read full review. See also this article in The Guardian/Observer.

Commenting #ECDMD using Storify

I’ve not used Storify before, so I thought I’d have a go for the event yesterday with Essex Churches Digital Media Day:

Sociality and the Trinity (@jamespoulter)

I belatedly received this article on social media in New Wine magazine, written by a friend/colleague of mine James Poulter, and thought I’d share it with you (pp40-42).

Social Media Marketer wanted (based in Southampton)

Passionate about promoting dynamic Christian resources? Looking for an opportunity to use your social media marketing skills?

Deo Gloria Trust and Damaris Trust are seeking an enthusiast to raise their profiles and increase the use and sales of their resources via social media. 

3-month full-time job, with possibility of 3-month extension

Closing date for applications: 8 January 2012

Download an application pack at: www.damaris.org/jobs, and I’ll look forward to potentially working with you!

Discussion Points

Results from this session.

Board 1: What should a Christian 'be' online?

Board 2: Same Question