Ring, Ring.....where are you PHONE?

"Finders, Keepers" "Losers, Weepers".....

Typically this phrase would apply to many of us who have been unfortunate to lose an item of importance, but not Ivanna.

Clay Shirkey explores the wonders of technology and communication through digital journalism in the article: "It Takes A Village To Find A Phone"

Ivanna leaves her phone, a T-Mobile Sidekick, in a NY cab which is then picked up by another rider. Ivanna, distraught by the mishap, turns to a friend for consoling and help. Evan Guttman, a programmer in the financial industry, offers a reward for the return of the phone via e-mail message that would show on the phone. No luck.....

Ivanna suffers her loss and moves on....purchasing a new phone, transferring the information from the old to the new.....Cha-Ching....JACKPOT! Photos taken and emailed by the thief were transferred to the new phone...we have a culprit: Sasha!

Evan immediately reacts, contacts Sasha, offers a reward......situation resolved right? WRONG! Sasha puts up a fight, lashes out with racial slander and refuses the return of the phone. Bad Call Sasha.....

Evan decides to take the story public, creating a webpage titled StolenSidekick, which he sends to his friends. The webpage sparks conversation and begins to circulate the web, people who are diffused by anger at losing personal belongings, jump in to fight the cause. The police were contacted, yet did nothing to help, stating the phone was considered "lost" rather than "stolen". Evan consistently updates the site with the latest news regarding the phone, fueling readership and dedication among STRANGERS to stand up as one and find a resolution!

Individuals serve as one-person media outlets by discussing the issue on weblogs, mailing lists and various electronic groups. The story spread like wild fire through a forest...flames licking away to quench their thirst....thirst for more, thirst for a cause, thirst for resolution!

The ability to sit a computer, click letters on the keyboard and hit send....spreading viewpoints, opinions, news, rumors..anything the heart desires, for the world to see in a matter of seconds without ever stepping foot outside the door of your home is amazingly breath-taking....

Are there repercussions? Ethical issues that arise? Should Sasha had to endure the sexual innuendos, racial slurs or degradation of her character? Some people would say that she deserved it, others firmly against it. I personally feel that she placed herself into the situation by declining the offer to return the phone, therefore obtaining full responsibility of any feedback...negative, positive or neutral.

While reading the story, I was fascinated with the response that was generated regarding the everyday issue of someone losing their phone. People joined forces, clicking away in passion, determined to help in any way....this would not have occurred 10 years ago...a lost phone would merely be a lost phone....we are encountering a phenomena.