Most innovation stems from conversations between people with different ideas. Web 2.0 has made it so easy for people to have their say that today people everywhere are not just consuming information but producing it, and getting together to create! We see software (Linux), games (World of Warcraft), worlds (Second Life), knowledge (Wikipedia), products and services (School of Everything - who presented at the last Disruptors session). Charles Leadbeater’s research on this subject, culminating in his book ‘We Think‘ published a few months back, and distilled in this little animation here, eloquently describes the 21st century as one of mass innovation by communities having conversations. We used to be what we own, now we are what we share. But, as he says, there is a still lot to work out. For starters:

- How do we protect what is private?
- Are we always safe sharing?
- What if Wikipedia is crap?
- How do we earn a living when everyone is freely sharing their ideas?

To learn more from Charles, I’ll be co-hosting a breakfast session on mass innovation next week: Mon 19th May, 8.30am, The Hub London. Charles will tell us about his current research that focuses on how mass, user-driven innovation is reshaping organisations, after which members will be invited to join an informal conversation about the future of mass innovation for the world. Hub members free, Non-Members £10. Let me know if you’re coming!