Something has become clear this summer -- horrific wars are going on everywhere, struggling for control of land. But hidden in plain sight, an even more powerful regime is gaining hold: the tech elites that realize that information (intellectual property) has replaced land (real property) as the true measure of real wealth.  With each passing day, there is a growing need for average folks to come together find a mechanism necessary to resurrect the wisdom of the commons, so we can move beyond iProducts and start to focus again on the common good.

Back in 1997, Abbot of the Berkeley Monastery, Rev Heng Sure, and I (Tom Mahon) hosted some workshops to occasionally withdraw for a 'data sabbath.' But now the issue is much more compelling. Since then, mobile devices have come along demanding our constant attention (and keeping us under constant surveillance). In addition, complex software, 'bots and droids threaten to replace jobs at every level. And a third ingredient in this perfect storm, at least in the Bay Area, is the desire of the tech elite to carve out a separate State of Silicon Valley with its own laws, legislature and courts. We run a serious risk of becoming tools of our tools.

With all this going on around us, it has become even more difficult to withdraw and find an inner sense of serenity and composure, without which we cannot fully use the rich portfolio of tools to manifest acts of compassion.

To support this intention, we are convening some gatherings around a 'Reconnecting Initiative' -- a platform to bridge technology and social responsibility. While we use technology to leverage inputs for maximizing output, social responsibility invites us to cultivate composure such that the effect of our high-tech tools manifests greater kindness in the world.

Our first meeting is roundtable on Sep 9th, 7:30PM at the Berkeley Monastery.  We have a thoughtful group coming together, including spiritual teacher Sri Mumtaz Ali and Professor Tapan Parikh from UC Berkeley.  To join, please RSVP below and we'll send you an email with all the details.

Second Roundtable

Back in 1997, Abbot of the Berkeley Monastery, Rev Heng Sure, and I hosted some workshops to occasionally withdraw for a 'data sabbath.' But now the issue is much more compelling. Since then, mobile devices have come along demanding our constant attention (and keeping us under constant surveillance). In addition, complex software, 'bots and droids threaten to replace jobs at every level. And a third ingredient in this perfect storm, at least in the Bay Area, is the desire of the tech elite to carve out a separate State of Silicon Valley with its own laws, legislature and courts. We run a serious risk of becoming tools of our tools.

With all this going on around us, it has become even more difficult to withdraw and find an inner sense of serenity and composure, without which we cannot fully use the rich portfolio of tools to manifest acts of compassion.

To support this intention, we are convening some gatherings around a 'Reconnecting Initiative' -- a platform to bridge technology and social responsibility. While we use technology to leverage inputs for maximizing output, social responsibility invites us to cultivate composure such that the effect of our high-tech tools manifests greater kindness in the world.

21-Day "Mindful Technology" Challenge Joined by 4 thousand people around the globe, on KindSpring platform

Symposium on Rethinking Technology

Do notions like values, virtue and wisdom have any place in an information based society? Have we become the tools of our tools and it is time to "Rethink Technology ... as if People Matter"? Do you ever feel as if our tools have become our masters, and we must adapt to them now? If we are indeed becoming the tools of our tools, perhaps fault -- and the solution -- lies not in our tools, but in ourselves. Maybe it's time to rethink technology ... as if people matter.

Join a distinguished panel of technologists, writers, and Silicon Valley insiders who will consider these issues and offer insights on ways to manage both the opportunities and threats presented by the Digital Revolution.

Tom Fermski, Editor, Silicon Valley Watcher
Nina Horne, Publicy Policy, City of Oakland
Tapan Parikh, UC-Berkeley School of Information
Richard Whittaker, Editor, Conversations.org
Tom Mahon, Author and Forty-Year Silicon Valley Veteran