2 Days ago, on Friday January 29 2009, another important figure of public life embraced web 2.0.

Pope Pope Benedict XVI commented on benefits and dangers of social media and announced the new vatican channel on youtube.

Here’s an excerpt of his remarks:

… the new technologies which have made the internet a resource of utmost importance, especially for the so-called “digital generation”.

Undoubtedly, wise use of communications technology enables communities to be formed in ways that promote the search for the true, the good and the beautiful, transcending geographical boundaries and ethnic divisions.

To this end, the Vatican has launched a new initiative which will make information and news from the Holy See more readily accessible on the world wide web.

It is my hope that this initiative will enrich a wide range of people including those who have yet to find a response to their spiritual yearning through the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ whose message of Good News the Church bears to the ends of the earth.

Vatican’s youtube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/vaticanit

The source for the Pope’s quote is here: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_eng/text.html#3

Also interesting: The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20080124_42nd-world-communications-day_en.html

The Pope On Youtube? Why Is It Important?

I’m amazed how fast the internet changes the world.

When I was in school. …

• The internet wasn’t even there.
• There was no iPod, nor an iPhone to watch youtube videos. Even Sony’s Walkman (the rightful predecessor of any ‘carry with you’ device)  wasn’t invented.
• And of course there was no such thing as a ‘Personal Computer’ to be found in any household.

Then the internet came and people had no idea how fast it would grow into our everyday lives.

Roundabout 5 years ago we internet geeks started to embrace the idea of web 2.0 as we published our first blogs. They were ugly and for geeks only.

• Who would have thought 5 years ago a presidential election would be decided by social media sites?
• Who would have thought 2 years ago the Pope would deliver his gospel through youtube?

Social media is no longer for geeks only.

The people and the leaders of the world embrace it and we can’t even begin to imagine the consequences this will bring.

Through social media we will see dramatic changes in:

1. How people educate themselves.
2. How they create relationships and mastermind groups, evolving much faster than ever possible offline.
3. How they build their opinion on political, economical and ethical topics.
4. How leaders will use the internet to influence (manipulate?) the masses.
5. How campaigns and propaganda sweep the planet across boarders – not only when delivered by leaders, but by any individual who puts his mind to it.

The geek in me is happy. I’m an early adopter and I love to find the  new stuff before it hits the mainstream.

There’s tons and tons of opportunities waiting for us internet marketers, and through new technology and new ideas our ‘universe’ is expanding each day.

I’m excited about it.

How about you?