The following is taken from The Intellectual Heritage Program of Temple.
“The Natural Rights philosophy that we study in Intellectual Heritage reflects the central ideals of the Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason (1660-1798). John Locke and Thomas Jefferson are just two of the many notable thinkers and writers who share Enlightenment values.
A basic list of these values would include the following:
- a deep commitment to reason,
- a trust in the emerging modern sciences to solve problems and provide control over nature,
- a commitment to the idea of progress in material wealth and in human civility,
- a belief in the essential goodness of human nature,
- an emphasis upon the individual as master of his fate and fortune, and
- an engagement with the public sphere of discussion and action.
In short, the Enlightenment thinkers believed in the powers of humankind and saw themselves as part of a revolutionary development in history that would replace superstition and tired rituals and corrupt traditions with reason and productive energy.”
In many ways, web 2.0 is akin to The Enlightenment, at least the concepts and promises. We have to tweak a bit because I’m not sure many people understand “reason” like the Enlightenment thinkers understood reason, and as for science controlling nature, well, maybe technology controlling cyber-nature . Yet, as an eternal optimist, I believe reason is making a comeback — merely because transparency forces an acceptance of “what is, is”, independent of definitions proffered by presidents before grand juries. Nature is another story, but we learn about what “is” and “isn’t” as we go forward and allow all science to have a voice.
The internet gives voice to reason and presents scientific facts, so the answers are there for those who search, even if you have to wade through gobs of misinformation, which brings us to an “emphasis upon the individual as master of his fate and fortune”.
On a smaller, more mundane scale there is an enlightenment process going on in the real estate industry. I read yesterday where Gen Y (or was it X) is changing everything by questioning traditional methods. This is not particularly new — new generations have been questioning the older generation for….well, for generations. But now there is more information to absorb and too many ways to unclothe emperors. Getting past the article’s unintentional portrayal of paranoid isolationism applied to a whole generation, it made some good points about change. It’s not just people born between designated years, the whole nation is rethinking the way business is done and how we interact with one another socially. (The article said this generation will not read much, so I’ve lost them at this point — old fogeys, please follow along)
I have a sense that the whole nation is tired of hype and pressure. We want more control over our “fate and fortune” without being badgered to conform to marketing plans. It’s getting harder and harder to fool people. With the great conversation going on around the world via the internet, gullibility is being replaced by savvy intelligence strengthened by a widespread and effective learning enviroment with classes running 24/7 across the net.
Be real or die! Still, there is hype, but the hypesters must live up to the hype because too many eyes are watching. One recent change I sense, and wholeheartedly embrace, from many agents online is the understanding that consumers want room to search and gather information in peace. If this trend and understanding increases then perhaps perceptions of real estate agents will change.
“Productive energy” is what’s needed to provide real estate consumers with a useful, efficient experience, sans hype and pressure. There is a big difference between productive energy and hype and pressure — there is energy in both, but the difference is in the application. Productive energy applied to the internet is powerful in its reach and the potential to inform. All energy should mostly be directed at informing. According to Dictionary.net, to inform is:
1. To give form or shape to; to give vital organizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion.
Energetic learning, to form, fashion, to give vital organizing power — these are much different than hype and pressure. It’s up to those who work in the real estate industry to give vital organizing power, and we can’t let others shape our fate and fortunes. We’ve started the conversation, now, at least for me, it’s time for more action. From Bloodhound to Bigger Pockets to Homegain to Agent Genius to Sellius to Zillow to Redfin to Trulia to NAR to all the others playing in the industry, I learn and grow and see lines shifting, or disappearing, as the whole industry re-groups to meet the future.
What a grand adventure this should be as we inform, change, fashion, mold and organize. For such a mundane process as buying or selling a house, there is a lot of productive energy that can make the process exciting — after all, underneath it all is a huge lifestyle creation which is important to people — hopefully, the service provided to help create that piece of the lifestyle can be an excellent experience. This is Mike from Savannah, committed, enlightened and ready to serve. 🙂
Thanks to you all.
Geno Petro says:
Hey Mike, great post. I hope I have remaining required energy for ‘energenic learning’, though. While I fancy the notion of Enlightenment, quite honestly Im old, I’m tired and I’m not liking Change too much, these days…
May 17, 2008 — 7:12 am
Mike Farmer says:
Geno,
I understand, I’m catching my second wind at 54, hopefully it’ll carry me through to the finish line (borrowing from Sean’s analogies).
It won’t be too long, though, before I slow down, play golf every day and write posts about what it used to be like before houses were sold by agentbots.
May 17, 2008 — 8:37 am
Heather Rankin says:
Mike ~ Great Post!
As a society apparently we still need, and like, people to be on the other end of the phone, the other end of the transaction, behind the bank counter when we choose to visit them, etc. And therein may lie the hope for the non-agentbots.
Seems like most folks I chat with have a deep and abiding hate for the automated phone answering systems that are now present at most businesses. Even if they know it “speeds” up the process it is still irritating. Personally I feel the exasperation level rising every time a phone call starts off with “press 1 for English” because I know what’s coming next… Press 9, no wait 4, oops, try 3….
While customers may like searching for homes sans an agent, RE purchases for most folks are large, overwhelming tasks. Hopefully providing the service and comfort level the customer needs will keep us in business.
May 17, 2008 — 9:55 am
Mike Farmer says:
Yes, Heather, I believe that’s true – we can only take so much depersonalization until we begin craving the human touch.
Plus, an agentbot driving a Mercedes just wouldn’t be right.
May 17, 2008 — 10:38 am
Barry Cunningham says:
“We want more control over our “fate and fortune” without being badgered to conform to marketing plans.”
“It’s up to those who work in the real estate industry to give vital organizing power”
I know you will disagree…but the prevailing thoughts are that agents will not have control over their fate and ortune. The consumer does, just like in every other “business”. The sooner real estate agents learn this the better for the industry.
Some, as expected, will continue to resist and hold onto long held beliefs founded by conventional wisdom and will seek to hold on the a viewpoint that they are being fed “portrayals of paranoid isolationism?…while hopefully those seeking to embrace change and the opportunity it brings will not, drink that flavor of kool-aid.
May 17, 2008 — 2:34 pm
Mike Farmer says:
By being a consumer-centric company utilizing result-oriented marketing strategies, remaining flexible and open to change, I think I’m in line with cutting-edge industry philosophy and as much in control of my fate and fortune as is possible.
Actually, I was talking more about control of my marketing within the industry.
You only assumed I wasn’t taking the consumer into account, which was necessasry to frame me as out of touch with the What’s-happening-now crowd.
That’s okay, though.
May 17, 2008 — 3:20 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Mike I was referencing what appears to be a written statement downplaying the role of Gen Y in future business and if that is as written then it would be discounting the consumer.
Not that Gen Y are the only consumers, far from it, there does seem to be a resistance ..ala…the ““portrayals of paranoid isolationism” remark in your post.
I was not trying to frame you as anything. Instead of having some assume, please expound as to why you have referred to this demographic as being paranoid.
I won’t make judgment. I am just reading what you described, which after reading it again seems to make fun of or take lightly this burgeoning market.
May 17, 2008 — 4:15 pm
Mike Farmer says:
I said the author portrayed them that way in the article. I didn’t say the generation was paranoid — i disagree with the portrayal for the most part, but he had some good points — read more carefully, Barry.
May 17, 2008 — 4:24 pm
Mike Farmer says:
I know “Gen Y” adults who love to read and barely fit this description except in a general, fuzzy way — it’s the problem when an author speaks for a whole generation — just like saying all baby boomers are a certain way, when in reality they are diverse.
I read it again, and it was clear to me.
May 17, 2008 — 4:27 pm
Mike Farmer says:
I also said it was unintentional on the author’s part — the humor I injected was aimed at the author who inadvervently made a whole generation look paranoid and prone to isolationism within their age group.
May 17, 2008 — 4:32 pm