Oliver Rawlings Find Crowdfunding Fascinating

Hailed as the new way to bankroll huge projects, crowdfunding is here, it’s larger than life and I find it fascinating. Oliver Rawlings readers, crowdfunding is the future.

The Relationship between Culture and Technology

As any reader of this blog can attest to, I find culture and technology fascinating. Two of my life long passions, I never miss an opportunity to blog about these two complex subjects, and I’m the sort of person who can’t resist reading about them either. It’s practically an addiction!

That’s why I find it riveting when the two come together. We live in a world driven by technological advances. New technology is practically the muse of the 21^st Century, spurring creative types to greater heights and inspiring truly post-modern works of art that would have been impossible to achieve without the aid of modern technologies such as the internet, laptops, smartphones etc.

What is Crowdfunding? How Does It Work?

That’s why I find crowdfunding fascinating. Crowdfunding is where someone raises money for a subject by going to many individual donors, and asking each one to donate a small amount of money, often in return for a gift, but no actual share in the profits the project generates.

So how is this possible? Well the artist sets up a donation page on a crowdfunding website, such as Indiegogo, makes their pitch and people log on and donate. The fact that the internet enables anyone to donate means that niche projects that wouldn’t have otherwise gotten off the ground, due to lack of interest, are able to go into production.

Why, because those people who want to see it happen are able to help it do so without the larger considerations that often way fund providers down, such as profit margins, advertising interest and the ability of the project to secure interest from key demographics.

A More Direct Input into the Artworks that Define Our Culture

In essence, crowdfunding is a way to bypass the usual funding avenues that artistic projects must travel down, and it broadens the scope of culture openly available to the masses. The genius of crowdfunding is that not only does it provide the cash, it builds up a fan base for the project to speak to once it’s finished;  people who have watched it grow from conception and have tracked it through to completion. It provides a personal attachment to art that we’ve never seen before.

In this way, crowdfunding is indicative of the evolving nature of the relationship between technology and modern culture. In the world of 2014, we have more access than ever, and more of an input into, the artworks that define the culture we live in. This direct participation is providing universal access to works of art that would likely otherwise never seen the light of day.

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Oliver Rawlings Asks: Should Instagram Let You Go Nude?

It may seem strange to us normal folk, but celebrities are currently up in arms about the right to bare all on social networking site Instagram. Considering the surprising direction this debate has taken, this week I ask on the Oliver Rawlings blog whether Instagram should let you go nude.

Freedom of Speech vs. Common Sense

The world has changed, and the internet has fostered a culture where our generation see it as their divine right to express themselves in any way they choose online. This popular mind set has been spurred on by social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and now Instagram, allowing a breadth of communication that would have been impossible to achieve even ten years ago.

Whilst living in a social media world has its advantages- and these are many – it generally does tempt people to post stupid, often offensive things. When this happens, not only does it shock and offend a lot of people, but it usually damages their reputation too. However whilst posting nude pictures is fairly stupid, many would argue that it’s a matter of freedom of expression, and this is why a campaign has grown up demanding that Instagram let people go nude.

Celebrities Go Nude

For those of you who’ve managed to avoid the social networking site, Instagram is primarily for posting pictures. Whilst those pictures are usually fairly tame, celebrities have been known to use the site to explore their wild side, and post snaps that many of us would find shocking, maybe even abhorrent.

That’s why it seems so unusual to me that this debate has even become a thing. Recently the site took down nude pictures that Rumor Willis had posted of herself. The sheer outrage she felt at such an action, prompted her and other women who’ve had topless pics removed, to start a campaign to get Instagram to change the policy. It’s become so popular even pop goddess Rihanna has endorsed it.

Oliver Rawlings on Freedom of Expression

Here’s the thing, Instagram say they ban this type of stuff as a matter of course. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom said of the policy that "you may not post violent, nude, partially nude… pornographic or sexually suggestive photos." That’s a fair point, but it’s not like Instagram hasn’t let people post offensive stuff before. Just where do they think the line is?

Of course, Oliver Rawlings readers, I’m not suggesting that you go and take a nude snap – you’d never live it down. What this is really about is freedom of expression. With the internet, the game has changed, and we need to seriously think as a society about what is appropriate and what isn’t in the digital age.

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Reality Television Has Gone Too Far – Viva la Revolution!

I’ve never exactly been a fan of sitting down on a Saturday night and salivating over a group of no talent idiots living their lives, but new reality show, ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ has taken it to new, disturbing levels. This is a call to arms, Oliver Rawlings readers, Viva la Revolution!

Do you remember when you could sit down, flick on the box and know that you’d be greeted with quality telly? Yeah, neither do I. These days it’s all ‘she slept with him’ and ‘I’m going to stab her in the back just to win a singing contest, that we all know will go nowhere,’ It’s spiralling out of control and we owe it to the next generation to save them from this hellish nightmare

A  Reformed Reality-Aholic

I’ll admit I’m not exactly a telly connoisseur. I still haven’t watched Game of Thrones and I honestly probably never will. I’m the sort of guy who actually enjoyed watching Eurovision as a kid because it was so fantastically camp (not so much now, considering the abysmal British position yet again this year).

And more to the point, I’ve got a confession. I beg all of your forgiveness, I was once a fan of reality television. I’ve go to admit that in the early days, I found Big Brother fascinating (who wasn’t addicted to the never ending comedy styling’s of treasured housemates such as Nadia, Brian, Makosi and Kinga) and I bought into the X Factor dream (I’m ashamed to admit that I still get all hopped up about the abominable way Sharon treated Danni way back when).

But it’s ventured into the realm of the ridiculous now. At least these kinds of shows once had a point. The new generation of reality shows like Made in Chelsea and the dreaded TOWIE (watching those people do nothing more than exist makes me wonder how humanity ever came to this) are as vacuous as they are dull. It’s like watching the world’s worst wildlife documentary.

A New Low: Society Is Officially in Cultural Decline

But now it’s hit a new low and entered the realm of the depraved. There is now a Fox (who else – they really will put anything on TV) show called ‘I Want to Marry Harry.’ If Prince Harry was actually on it, it would be more fascinating than the latest raft of ‘whodunnit’ stories currently playing out in soapland.

Instead, we’re subject to a show that – honest to goodness- sees a Prince Harry impersonator attempt to trick girls into thinking he’s the genuine article. If these are the depths we’ve sunk to, maybe it’s time to just give up and go home. There has to be a better way to entertain ourselves. It’s banal, excruciatingly cringe worthy and opportunistic. Even by reality TV standards.

Oliver Rawlings readers, every society has to hit rock bottom before it realises it has a problem and implements change. I believe ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ is ours. Bring about the revolution, we’ve literally got nothing left to lose!

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How to Hold a Conversation with a Kitchen Appliance!

How often have you just wanted to know what was going on with your cooker, oven, washing machine etc.? Well, with the latest development from tech firm LG, you might just be able to. The Oliver Rawlings blog this week welcomes you to the kitchen appliances that talk back!

How often have you wanted to know what’s in the fridge or have you forgotten to set off your washing machine after you’ve just left the house? Well now with LG’s new text chat service you can work your appliances no matter where you are, as it allows you to control them by text!

The LG Text Chat Service

South Korea based international technology firm LG Electronics has recently announced the launch of a text chat service that allows you to control your kitchen appliances no matter where you are.

It works like this. Say you’re on your way home from work and you’re not sure whether you’ve got any milk in. You think you might need to go pick some up from the corner shop, but if you’ve already got some in you don’t want to buy more. With this service all you need to do is text and ask, and your fridge will let you know.

It’s a really new service and at the moment it’s only available in South Korea, but LG are planning to expand to other markets, such as the US, in the future. They’ll need to get on it, as rival tech company Samsung has already released similar air conditioner, fridge and washer smart-aware appliances with its Smart Home Service.

A Niche Market

Whilst I personally believe that this technology could one may be the future, experts have suggested that in the short term, it may only appeal to a niche market. The BBC spoke to principal technology analyst at the Davies Murphy Group consultancy, Chris Green on the matter and this was the opinion he expressed.

Specifically, Green said that "I'm sure 10 years from now we will want more smart-aware appliances, but for now this represents a live beta-test," and that "it's the equivalent of Ford building a concept car. It's about showing what can be done and seeing if there's an appetite for it."

Oliver Rawlings readers, this technology is only in its infancy, but the potential is enormous. One day we could all be setting our washing machines off or checking our fridges by text whilst enduring that oh so long commute back home!

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A Salute to Mrs Doyle!

Last week I got all fanboy-esque at the news that Mrs Doyle is joining EastEnders (sort of). That’s why this week, I want to take this opportunity to salute all things Mrs Doyle!

The news is actually that Pauline Mclynn, the talented comedienne who was behind the sheer genius that was the Craggy Island housekeeper, and who has also starred in Shameless, among other things, is set to star in the BBC soap.

Even better, she’s set to take the part of Yvonne Cotton, the mother of EastEnders legend Dot Branning’s recently revealed grandson, Charlie Cotton. It’s a recurring part, but it’s one that’s bound to be juicy as she’s been billed as a character who just might have a few secrets of her own…

A List of Why Mrs Doyle is So Great

So, we know that Pauline Mclynn is a talented actress, and I’m sure Oliver Rawlings blog readers, that she’ll light the screen on fire as the elusive Yvonne. But until then, I want to actually take the time to list just why she’s so bloody marvellous!

· A British Tradition: She may be Irish, but she captured the hearts and minds of viewers west of the Emerald Isle with her love and devotion to that classic British staple, tea. She reminded us all that, yes, tea really is the answer to all of life’s problems.

· A Little Insane: Let’s face it, she was a little insane wasn’t she, and that’s why we loved her. Sane people quite frankly aren’t funny, but those who are just a little off kilter provide us with all the laughs we need to get through the day. Who wasn’t cracking up in that episode where she acted like a One Direction fan when introduced to the new milkman!

· A Strong Character: Despite the comedy element, she was a surprising role model for the youth of today. I’m serious here. She knew her own mind and she knew how to get what she wanted. Even if all she wanted was to make sure you got a cup of tea.

A Method Actor: Have you ever seen a picture of Pauline Mclynn in real life? She’s practically a different person. Knowing that, seeing the transformation the actress undergoes to become the Craggy Island housekeeper is amazing. It just makes the character even more rip-roaringly hilarious!

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Top Four Benefits of Cloud Computing

There are few web tools as useful both in your professional life, and in your personal one, as cloud computing, yet nowhere near as many people are benefitting from it as they could. That’s why this week on the Oliver Rawlings blog, I wanted to list my top four benefits of cloud computing.

As a tech buff, the way people react to new technologies annoys me sometimes. What they should see as a tool that they can use to ease the burden and the pressure in their everyday life, they often see as change; people don’t tend to like change. That’s what I think has happened to some people’s opinions of cloud storage.

Cloud computing is internet based computing. Where basically before people would download services like Microsoft Word and Excel, and use them on their computer, saving documents to their computer, a cloud based service has these programmes all on it, so you can use it anytime, anywhere. You can also access your saved documents anywhere through the cloud.

So now we know what it is why should, whether at work, at home, on the bus, in the supermarket etc. you be joining the cloud?

1) Its Flexible: Have you ever tried to move a document you’ve saved on your computer? You have to invest in a USB or email it to yourself, which is a pain in the you know what and means you have to find somewhere with internet. With cloud computing, it’s as simple as using your device somewhere with internet.

2) Its Cost Effective: Buying windows programmes such as Word and Excel is pain, and it’s expensive. Who needs the hassle and the impact on their bottom line? Because with cloud based services you’re not paying that much for a lot of essential programmes, it’s far more cost effective.

3) Its Safer: It really is safer folks. Have you ever been in that heart-breaking position where you’ve been in writing a very important document and your computer has crashed? You can recover the document somewhat, but often it doesn’t save everything you’ve done. Don’t need to worry about that with the cloud!

Its Interconnected: Think about it like this. When you’re using the cloud at work, everybody has access to it, simultaneously, with no effort at all. That’s makes working together on a big project, sharing information etc. so much easier, because you have a common place to develop the project and store it.

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The Meaning behind the No Makeup Selfie

If you’ve been on any social media over the past few weeks, you’ll have come across the no makeup selfie. They’re everywhere.  What is the real meaning of the no makeup selfie and what does it say about society at large?

Selfie are already everywhere, Oliver Rawlings readers, these days they are as natural a part of modern life as breathing, sleeping and eating. They’re so big even President Barack Obama is doing it. I bet you’ve done it regularly, reader.

So it’s hardly surprising that there’s a selfie trend; what is surprising is the fact that it is a no makeup trend. Basically people are taking pictures of themselves without makeup and posting them to their social media accounts to raise awareness.

It’s certainly working, and you could definitely label it a trend. Everyone from the person on the street, to the celebrity in Hollywood, to even the odd politician is getting in on the action. It’s been grabbing international headlines.

So why is it generating so much attention? The reason has to be the attachment society has to vanity. Many women often feel naked without makeup on and therefore this suggests that the makeup selfie is the ultimate expression of nakedness, of metaphorical honesty.

This metaphorical honesty explains why people feel that no makeup selfies will raise awareness of cancer. Being honest, in any sense, with the hardest parts of yourself is one of the bravest things you can possibly do. Indeed, people are being congratulated on the bravery they have shown in daring to post pictures of themselves online bare-faced.

This feeds into the common cancer discourse. As is right, those who live with and overcome cancer are seen as some of the bravest people in the world. Those who turn their horrific experience into an awareness raising campaign are even more so. So there is a clear correlation; it’s bravery highlighting bravery, honesty, highlighting honesty, all to raise awareness.

However, I believe that the no makeup selfie says something bigger about society. The fact that we see simply taking a picture of yourself bare-faced as an expression of honesty implies we have something to be ashamed about when it comes to the way we naturally look.

We still need something to cover the supposed imperfections to make us acceptable, and in the modern world, that in itself is unacceptable. Perhaps the no makeup selfie will raise this kind of awareness and understanding as well. 

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Alan Turing: The Life and Times

The announcement of ‘The Alan Turing institute,’ got me thinking about the legendary genius. Who was he, how did he live his life and what was his legacy?

Anybody who readers the OliverRawlings blog knows that I have a major interest in technology. The way technology changes our world with every new discovery, every practical application, fascinates me. That’s why I’ve long been interested in the life and times of Alan Turing.

His name has entered popular discourse in recent years due to his personal life. Alan Turing was gay in a time where it was illegal to be gay in Britain, and got caught. He was tried, convicted and chemically castrated in 1952. He died from cyanide poisoning at the age of 42 in 1954.

This injustice has led in recent times to a campaign to strike down Turing’s 1952  conviction for homosexuality, based on both the fact that it is now no longer illegal and on the great work he did that changed the world forever. He received a posthumous royal pardon. What was that great work?

Essentially, Turing was a mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, computer scientist and philosopher. He is perhaps most famous as being a significant contributor to the moderncomputer, through his ‘Turing Machine.’ This means that he’s basically regarded as the father of modern computer science.

The implications of this are enormous. Think about how much the computer has contributed to our world. So much modern technology depends on computer science, that without it, this world would still be stuck in the 19^th Century. Forget smartphones and laptops, we never even would have got the basic computer.

This wasn’t Turing’s only contribution to the world in his lifetime. During the Second World War, he worked at Bletchley Park, the government’s infamous code breaking headquarters. He was vital to the effort to develop the Enigma machine, the device which enabled the allies to understand and manipulate coded Nazi messages.

Again, the magnitude of this work on the modern world is astounding. Have you ever read one of those dystopic novels about how the world went to hell in a hand basket because the Nazi’s won the Second World War?  Yeah… Alan Turing had a large role in stopping that.

Despite his tragic and undeserved end, Alan Turing was a great British hero, and his work influenced modern life in numerous ways. I’m glad that the man himself is being remembered and celebrated as the genius he undoubtedly was. 

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Now Sochi’s Over, What did it All Mean?

Last Sunday saw the official end of the Olympic Games held in Sochi. Considering the controversy they caused before they started, I wanted to ask what did it all mean?

Oliver Rawlings readers you must remember all the debate and discussion that took place before the Winter Olympics this year. People were furious that they games were taking place in Russia.

Russia is a country that under the leadership of Vladimir Putin has become notorious for its anti-gay laws and for the imprisonment of political prisoners. Human rights campaigners were incensed that the IOC could even think of holding the Winter Olympics in such a place.

However despite the protests the Winter Olympics did indeed take place in Sochi. Now that they’re over we have to consider how it all went and was it really as bad as people thought it would be?

The games largely went off without a hitch. With the exception of an Olympic ring not lighting up in the opening ceremony, there were no terrorism threats, no major international incidents etc. The sports gripped the people of the world, as always and it took place as any other winter Olympics would.

However it didn’t take place without incident. Human rights campaigners including punk band pussy riot were arrested and allegedly beaten for protesting at Sochi. There is evidence to suggest that when confronted with the internationally recognised right to protest, Putin was ready and able to crush opposition.

However despite the fact that these incidents gained some media coverage, they didn’t gain anywhere near as much as they would have done before the games. These arrests gained some coverage but often the events themselves grabbed the bolder font in the national papers.

This seems like an anomaly to me. Don’t get me wrong, I know the Olympic Games are important. They promote honest values through friendly competition and foster international relations. However to me it seems a little irresponsible to be emphasising curling and hockey matches over human rights issues.

So what was Sochi really all about Oliver Rawlings readers? Some would suggest that despite everything it was still the Winter Olympics and as such the focus should be on sport. However I would suggest that this neglects the underlying concept of the games; to promote international relations.

We don’t make this world a better place for us all to live by ignoring the issues that we’re facing as an international community. That’s what for me Sochi was really all about. 

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What’s with all the Weather?

Britain has been hit by a series of floods caused by torrential rain over the past few weeks. Why are we having these freak weather patterns and what does it say about the future.

If you live on the west coast or in the south of England it truly has been a miserable few weeks for you. Continuous downpours have caused rivers to break their banks and pavements to turn into veritable lakes. As a consequence swathes of these areas have flooded.

The effect has been enormous. Properties have been damaged, livelihoods cost, natural vistas ruined. Politicians are now even getting in on the act, trampling down the flooded walkways in wellies just waiting for the next photo op.

Furthermore experts predict (rather grimly) that these conditions could last for months. Then apparently we’re in for the hottest summer on record. How any summer can be hotter than the last one, I’ll never know, but it’ll certainly be interesting to found out.

However we’re not the only ones who have experienced freak weather conditions. America has experienced its fair share lately as well. Anyone heard of the polar vortex?

The polar vortex is a bitterly cold wind that is usually trapped in the artic due to atmospheric conditions. However these conditions broke and the polar vortex travelled down to America causing temperature lows not seen on record. People had icicles growing on their faces; it was a sight to behold.

Furthermore the temperate south of the US has not been spared the ravages of these freak weather patterns. Southern hubs such as Atlanta and Birmingham, places usually notable for their warm weather, have been gridlocked by snow storms that have raged across the US south.

So what’s causing all this?  Scientists say global warming, which involves the temperature of the earth rising due to changes in atmospheric conditions caused by CO2 emissions. This would certainly explain the polar vortex, as global warming has been proved to have contributed to the melting of the polar icecaps.

I don’t know whether it’s global warming; there’s so much doubt around this hot button topic and I’m not a scientist so I couldn’t speak on this with any authority. However what is clear is that something has indeed changed.

This means that life as we know it could very well be different to the way it has always been. All predictions point to the fact that we haven’t seen the last of this unusual weather so people across the world are just going to have to learn to deal with it. Only time will tell if they actually do. 

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What was the Deal with Flappy Bird?

Anybody who reads the technology section of their chosen online news provider will have heard about the debate that has risen around flappy bird. What is flappy bird and why is it such a big deal?

For those of you Oliver Rawlings readers who have been living under a rock for the past few weeks, flappy bird is an app-game, in the same mold as Angry Birds and their ilk.

Specifically it’s a kind of retro style smartphone app game featuring 2D graphics that are a throwback to the days of the 1980’s. Basically you have to direct a flying bird, which keeps moving of its own accord to the right, through a set of obstacles.

Easy right? Nothing special about that right? Wrong. It’s unbelievably hard to actually do.  Seriously that little bird is annoying. However, people tend to like hard and annoying, for some reason. This has led to flappy bird becoming the most addictive app game since angry birds (I still prefer classic snake for the nokia though).

Addictive means popular in this modern world. Since it was first introduced in March, it has boomed in popularity and has become a staple on app screens across the world. You couldn’t go anywhere by the end of 2013 without hearing about that annoying little flappy bird.

However the game clearly peaked too early. The creator of the game got so annoyed with it that they decided to discontinue it. Furthermore Google’s app store has now banned a series of flappy bird clones that became popular in the wake of the discontinuation.

However this isn’t the end of flappy bird. A whole  new generation of flappy clones such as flappy bee are now becoming popular; it’s clear  there’s still a strong public demand for this most annoying of smartphone games.

I really think that this international incident, as trivial as it is, says something intrinsic about human nature. As a community we are fascinated by what we cannot do and what we cannot have; it’s the whole ‘grass is greener’ thing for the modern day.

So it stands to reason that the more difficult the game is, the more addictive it is, the more popular it becomes. Crazy but true. It looks clear, Oliver Rawlings readers, that we are looking at the future. Humanity is always looking for that next adventure, that next challenge. It appears that even smartphone app games are no exception when it comes to this most basic of human truths. 

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Should Scotland Be Independent?

This year will see the referendum on Scottish independence. Considering the amount of press the issue is getting lately, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss what this could mean. Should Scotland be independent?

Oliver Rawlings readers you have to understand that this is a somewhat delicate issue. After all the Scots have always been somewhat ambivalent to being a part of the United Kingdom; the rise of the Scottish National Party, who have made Scottish independence a key element of their political platform, tells us this.

However what we have to look at are the financial consequences of such a move. Whilst Scottish independence is certainly an attractive prospect, the reality is that it is going to cost and considering the size of Scotland you have to ask whether it’s a cost they can afford.

Experts are coming out now and predicting that Scottish independence would cost millions of pounds. You can imagine why. There are so many costs that you have to factor in when establishing yourself as a separate nation.

Suddenly Scotland would be completely responsible for building its own army, government, infrastructure etc. There are a thousand costs that are attached to setting up a new nation and the reality is that Scotland would have to find the money from somewhere. Tax revenue may not be enough.

It’s a pattern you see whenever a new country is formed. Look at what happened to the post-Soviet Republics in the early 90’s. They had major economic hardship and the reality is that breaking away from the Soviet Union, as liberating as it was, cost them.

However currency is the issue that is worrying most people. Many in Scotland have said that they would like to keep the pound as their currency. They would certainly have to in the interim regardless, as setting up a new currency takes time and you have to have a transitional stage.

It’s the idea of a shared currency that is worrying economists everywhere. They look to the Euro and what happened there. Many economists say that the shared currency meant that when some nations saw economic hardship, the shared currency dragged others down with it. They point to the recent Eurozone crisis to illustrate the point.

Scottish independence is a tricky subject. At the end of the day it comes down to one question that voters will have to ask themselves. Is separation from the rest of the Union worth the literal cost that it will incur?

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Why Should You Be Using LinkedIn?

Considering how the world of business has changed over the last decade, there are tools becoming more popular every day that you can use to get ahead in the business world. One of these is LinkedIn. So how can you Oliver Rawlings readers use LinkedIn to get ahead in the modern world?

The world of business is not what it used to be. Once upon a time if you wanted to cut a business deal you would go to a trendy bar in the west end. If you wanted to get a job you would scroll the wanted ads in the local newspapers and if you wanted to make contacts you would go through a friend of a friend.

The internet, particularly social media, has changed all this. The internet allow for a greater flow of information than ever before. With the internet you can make a contact in seconds and maintain that contact without ever having to meet face to face (unless you have a video chat on Skype).

This means that the world of business and employment has changed as well. For example if you’re looking for a new job you don’t go to the local newspaper, you go to a job site such as Reed or Indeed. These actually allow greater scope for job opportunities as they allow you to apply for a job anywhere in the world.

This is where social media comes in. Social media really is a wonderful way to make connections anywhere across the world. It’s a versatile medium that allows you to hone in on who you want to talk to and make that connection in seconds.

So it makes sense that you would use social media to post job applications and make business connections. Yet certain social networking sites have different uses. This is why you should be using LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the professional’s social networking site. It’s where employers are often now posting job opportunities and it is specifically tailored to be used like a CV. You can post your personal information along with any professional experience you have because the features of LinkedIn are designed to allow you to do so.

However it goes much further than this. LinkedIn also has a number of communities and groups that you can join .The great thing about these is that they are geared towards professional industries. This means that you can talk to other professionals, whereas something like Facebook is catered more to socialising with friends.

LinkedIn is the professional social networking site. If you’re looking to get ahead professionally in today’s world, you should be setting up a LinkedIn account the minute you finish reading this sentence. 

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Why Nelson Mandela Was an Icon

We were greeted with the sad news last week Oliver Rawlings readers that Nelson Mandela has passed away. The man had lived a long life; he was in his 90’s. But it’s still shocking news none the less. There aren’t too many people in the world that we would label ‘icons’. However Mandela is certainly one of the ones we would. There are people who seem big, who seem larger than life. These people seem untouchable. They seem like they’ll never die. The legend grows to surpass the person. However there’s a reason the person become a legend in the first place.

So this all leads us to one question? I think I’m preaching to the choir here when I say that Mandela was an icon. Not many people would deny it and those who would, certainly wouldn’t have the courage to do so. However the question we still have to ask was why? Why was Mandela an icon? He certainly lived a life that we would traditionally label iconic. It certainly fits the bill. He was born as a disadvantaged black man in apartheid South Africa. He rose to receive an education and became a professional. He fought the system. He certainly suffered for his principles. He was a man who had leadership thrust upon him but wore it well. He cared until the end.

Whilst these are certainly the ingredients one would use to label a man iconic, I don’t believe they’re what made Mandela one. They are certainly impressive. They certainly speak of a man of great character and humility. However he’s not unique in these traits. There are others who have similar stories. Whilst his certainly would have gained him admiration, it certainly wouldn’t have vaulted him to the status he holds in people’s hearts and minds.

I believe it’s his altruism that makes him an icon. Not many people have that. Mandela was a man who learned to forgive. Mandela could have held a grudge against his oppressors. Amazingly he didn’t. When he was released and everyone else was calling for battle, he held his head. He remembered that despite their actions, his oppressors were people too .They had children. They had hopes and dreams and fears. In my opinion that’s the true measure of a man, not how he treats his friends, but how he treats his enemies. Any man can forgive their friends; can be good to their friends. It takes a special kind of man to forgive his enemies. Not many of us honestly have that pure goodness in us.

And that’s what really vaulted Mandela to the status of icon. People admired his innate ability to be good. It’s as simple as that really. We always want what we don’t have and Mandela could say that he had something in spades that most us don’t have.

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