Social media platforms promotes the democratization of knowledge and information, transforming people from content consumers into content producers.

(Social Media. Wikipedia, The free encyclopaedia. November 12, 2009).

Even though the “prosumer“ concept has been around for 40 years (Toffler, 1970), my experiences as an active, involved content innovator as opposed to the traditional passive recipient of a product or service are new-found.  I first became aware that I was flexing these powerful muscles as I blog, leave comments, and tweet, after reading Grown Up Digital, written by someone who Al Gore has called, one of the world’s leading cyber gurus, own own Canadian, Don Tapscott. GUD is a relevant and inspiring ‘Field Guide’, of the Net Generation, outlining the survey findings of 11,000 NetGenners (11 – 30 years old), whereby connecting the dots and colouring in the big  picture as to how young people are using social media platforms to influence and shape their world.

To get a sense of the prosumer power, watch the YouTube clip of “In Conversation with Allan Gregg” (for those who want quick sound bites, watch 15:33 – 18:00). In a nutshell, Tapscott asserts, “if you understand the Net Generation, you will understand the future.”

Since this first read back in April, 2009, I have become increasingly aware of the innovative ways in which NetGenners contribute to the development, improvement and dissemination of products & services. For a very recent and radical example, pick up a copy of  Yes We Did: An inside look at how social media built the Obama Brand (Harfoush, 2009).

Even more rewarding, I am now cognizant of being both participant & recipient of new media techniques that amplify the ways in which we are able to use our voices to advocate change in institutional pedagogy, politics and practices.

What empowering realizations!

Imagine the electricity consumption at 24-hr fitness centres!

I now turn my prosumer-gaze on the fitness world – which is both my workplace and playground. While sport has the privileged reputation of being healthy and green, the fitness industry is a far cry from environmentally conscious. For lack of an academic urge at 2:00 am* this morning, I will cite the Biggest Loser reality television series recent  ”Green Week” workouts on unplugged fitness equipment to illuminate the copious electricity consumption of millions of treadmills across the world.

The buzz-word of today is eco-innovation and with that in mind, I encourage everyone to watch this green fitness centre concept video from Casey Shaaf of EcoDev Engineering, LLC, created for the 2009 Kettering Innovation Challenge and to appreciate the implications of this technology. Astoundingly simple, elegant and brilliant solution to recycling energy. Viewing it, I had to wonder, how is it that only 185* people have watched this video since September? Why am I the first to rate it?

I am hereby making it a personal goal to have this video reach 1,000 by the end of the year. 3 weeks left…

You in for the challenge?

* This blog post was originally published on Lighfooted.ca on November 27, 2009 at 2:00 am. Current YouTube count is 259.

• RT @lululemon Dance like the photo’s not tagged, love like you’ve never been unfriended, tweet like nobody’s following. [@Aydsman] #
• Own your own fitness studio? Consider eco-fitting the treadmills + ellipticals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBfovuwH8A&feature=autofb #


Eco-Fitting Treadmills

• Trying to work in eco-innivation into my Tech&Innovation seminar lec next week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBfovuwH8A #
• Need to focus this afternoon: sipping on a sm, black coffee & working under headphones at the Van Library. #
• While happily munching on cucumber, I am startled by a loud beep from the fridge – left the door open! What a novel, energy-saving concept. #
• Great idea! RT @WhistlerBlckcmb: #Whistlertweetup is today at the GLC starting at 2pm. Appetizers are on us and cool prizes up for grabs. #
• Wish i was skiing!! Whistler was AMAZING on the wkend RT @WhistlerBlckcmb: Come celebrate official opening day http://bit.ly/5ovhGA #

Dance like the photo's not tagged
RT @lululemon Dance like the photo’s not tagged, love like you’ve never been unfriended, tweet like nobody’s following. [@Aydsman] #
Amen to that!! RT @BikeTOforum: You Can’t Be a Cyclist and Pedestrian at the Same Time!! http://bit.ly/8wKO2E #BikeTO #cycling #
Swam 100 lengths this eve. Feeing physically drained but mentally calm & energized. Can get back to my readings now. #
Going for a much-needed swim. Unwind from today’s work! #
First ski day at Whistler-Blackcomb – Brought the Garmin 405 Forerunner watch and had fun deciphering the altitude… http://fb.me/3dZyg0D #

Spirit of the Skeena Swim 2009
Anyone in the VANcinity of Robson St. on Thurs, Dec. 3rd? Come learn about Ali’s epic adventure http://fb.me/3gy3t8L #
Want to go hear Ali’s story on Thurs, Dec 3rd? I sure do! http://lightfooted.ca/2009/11/one-woman-one-river-620kms/ #
#Eco-fitting: greening sports facilities – can’t wait until #EcoDev #innovation hits the market http://tinyurl.com/yhrt46o #
What do you think makes up an “Innovation Champion”? Anyone come to mind immediately? #
Woohoo, got my first “Listed” today! #
Q: Who do you think is the greatest ‘Innovation Champion’ in the sports world today? Please answer & RT #
Brilliant, simple concept – ecofitting the treadmill & ellipical machines in gyms to produce electricity! http://tinyurl.com/yhrt46o #
Just bought an “Edge” pass for #Whistler-Blackcomb ski hill (yay!) but boy, does their purchase process need an overhaul – so confusing! #
My PM snack of choice these days: sm salad with strawberries & goat cheese, dressing of olive oil + balsamic vinegar + toasted almonds. #
Wearing my #Garmin 405 on the ski hill, I found out that I travelled 40km (lifts + runs), with a max speed of 41.8 km/hr & a max HR of 179 #
Neat-o! #Mountain Dynamics (http://www.mountaindynamics.com/en/) links up with my #Garmin 405. Thanks, @hemantbist #
http://twitpic.com/qgtpz – Brought my #Garmin 405 to #Whister Ski Hill today. Check out the Elevation chart! Any guesses as to the number of #

Whilster Ski Day Elevations
RT @SNOWGA: You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. — Plato via @storystalker #
The snow is AMAZING today up at #Whistler. Can’t wait for the whole hilll to open up. #
Up & at ‘em early for the 1st ski day of the year! #