Daniel Gibson

Culture of Health Leader Fellow, 2018

What is YOUR Network of Influence?

Today I want to talk about the idea of “Networks.” Who is in your network? Who are the people you connect to? What are the ideas that you stand for? And how do you connect your network of people, identities and resources, to the things that matter most to you?

I just read Joshua Cooper Ramo’s book, The Seventh Sense, where he poses a theory – it is the people, places and things we connect to that define us. More importantly, it is the network of people, places and things that we associate with that impact our lives and our world.

In a time when a reality show celebrity is sitting in the White House (regardless of your political leanings) you have to believe that there is something quite powerful when you can connect your message to a larger network.

Ramo’s suggests that today, power moves in networks. And only networks can defeat other networks. The hierarchical paradigm of power is shifting.  What is your network?

Using Networks for Good or for Evil?

In his book, Ramo describes social networks exploding like wild fire around the globe because of the ease of communication. Now, this can be scary…with all of our advancements in the world, it only takes one smart hacker to bring down whole systems.

The idea that virtual networks can spread like a disease sounds scary, but it is also exciting if used for good. Just as Ramo warns of the ability for these networks to produce dangerous consequences, these technological networks also provide avenues for solutions and powerful communications across cultures, customs, traditions and worlds.

I am excited to think of myself as a leader in this new Age of Network Power. No longer can we just rely on politicians and heads of states to negotiate our futures. We have the ability to build our own new networks to turn the game of Health and Justice on its head!

How the Parkland Shootings United a Network of Young Advocates

Last week, we here in South Florida became the latest community to experience a horrific school shooting. In the aftermath of last week’s shooting in Parkland, FL, we were reminded that a dangerous network of violence is growing in this country.

I am ashamed to say that, though saddened by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings, I was not shocked. I have wondered when this trend of violence would reach my backyard. And now it has. One young man, lost in his own world of sadness, mental illness, and anger became connected to a network of hatred and violence that has been impacting our community, our state, or country for over a decade now. This culture of violence and apathy to gun control is its own scary network of dysfunction.

But then immediately after the shootings, I became inspired by the bravery that the local community has exhibited.

In less than 24 hours, the survivors of the Parkland school shooting rebounded, forming a national network of young men and women who are standing up and demanding that our country discuss gun violence NOW. This powerful youthful network united in a matter of days, demanding the President of the United States’ attention. And they got it. Today they were traveling to Tallahassee united, to fight for transparent gun reform policies.  What a perfect example of a small network standing up to what some once called the most powerful seat in the world. Perhaps not anymore.

We are as strong as our own networks. Who do you stand by? What do you stand for?

Let  me know your thoughts! Thanks for reading my first blog! Ever.

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