This website is dedicated to iCrowds. The idea of iCrowds is that by letting many people collaborate through social software it is possible to create exceptional results. Much more than the results of just a bunch of individuals working together.
I believe that social software (wiki’s, blogs, decision market) is changing our society in more ways than we can imagine. And I think that this change is a positive one where people can make a difference based on what they have to offer instead of the role they occupy. A world where all the intelligence available is used and where people are motivated to make their contribution because they are awarded for it. Many of the successful examples of social software come from the public domain like wikipedia and open source. It is exciting to see how people are putting in their best effort without getting any pay and without any pressure. Since most people spend more than 50% of time while they are awake at work, wouldn’t it be great if this same kind of motivation is felt in the workplace?
This doesn’t mean that with iCrowds we will reach the Valhalla of the direct democracy and all that. One of the reasons we created a parliamentary democracy is that it is better to elect capable people and let them govern for a specific time. After that we can send them away if we do not agree. Structures are necessary but these structures should be open and transparent. It should service the flow of capabilities and not suffocate it.
In my work at the Telematica Instituut (a research institution between universities and business) I am involved in social software through a research project I am setting up called “The future workspace”. Also I am thinking about doing my thesis around this subject. Focus here is the use of social software in business environments. How can it be used and what conditions are needed to make it successful? Are the current organisations capable of implementing these flat structures or will the hierarchies win. That is why I call this thesis “From Pyramid to Pancake”.
iCrowds is the term that I use for crowds cooperating successfully together and thereby being more than just a bunch of individuals. The name symbolizes the connection between the “I” and the crowds since the emphasis is on the interaction between the individual and the group as well as the intelligence of the crowds
Martijn Kriens
Martijn.Kriens@iCrowds.net
+31 6 43088338
