Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JULY 16, 2018

Using Software and Data to Change the World We are in an amazing time. We have to use this opening to help advance our goal; using software and data to change the world for the better! Collectively, we are getting ambitious about social change. Social change is not done to communities – it’s a partnership. A database!

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Zerofootprint is working to make a dent in minimizing climate change, by changing people’s behavior. And, it’s not clear that making the scientific case is sufficient for people to change. But, we can approach human behavior change from a social perspective. Are they using a boiler built in 1910?

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 3, 2016

We are joining with our peers in the disability and library community in a joint statement to strongly encourage the Senate to ratify the treaty and for Congress to implement the minor legislative changes recommended as part of the package. We do not see these changes as having a major impact on who we serve in the U.S.,

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 29, 2016

Combining those three potent ingredients is how we change the world. From children with disabilities to African human rights activists, you will have direct exposure to how Benetech’s products and services change lives for the better. Silicon Valley is an incredible force for change. Big complex social problems.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 5, 2010

Of all the discussions I heard, the ones on climate change were the most exciting and compelling. Tags: Kyoto STS climate change climate adaption STS2010. The phrase "the failure of Copenhagen" was often repeated, especially poignant given that we were meeting in the same building where the Kyoto Protocols were agreed.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

This reality changed when Frank found out about Benetech’s Bookshare accessible digital library for people with print disabilities. Frank’s story exemplifies the life-changing power of access to information and reading. I could request books not already in the collection, and sometimes my wish would be granted. I began a reading binge.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 28, 2014

TED gives me the chance to brainstorm with loads of people who gather to discuss ways to change the world through technology and design. Bjorn has gotten a lot of attention for his recommendations to combat climate change by focusing on improved humanitarian efforts. If it worked, would it lead to behavior change that would save lives?

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 27, 2014

They get frustrated and don’t want to read,” she says, “but access to digital books and reading technologies changed all that for Zach.” Zach Bryant The change happened when Zach was in high school and his Assistive Technology teacher introduced him to Benetech’s Bookshare library.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 8, 2010

But, he drew a distinction between incremental change and breakthrough change (he used the words "extensive" and "intensive"). Extensive change is going from something that works at one scale and bringing it up to a larger scale. But, if you have a heightened appetite for risk, the frame changes.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 7, 2010

Using technology as a base for knowing change is possible, change is happening. I learned that in some parts of India everyone has a cell phone but few have indoor plumbing or access to clean water – change is happening. I entered thinking Benetech was a lone voice for social change using technology.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 29, 2018

Betsy is a recognized social entrepreneur who has dedicated much of her career to changing the world with software. I am incredibly excited to let you know that earlier this month we announced that Betsy Beaumon , Benetech’s current president, will be taking over as CEO of Benetech.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Mary made the climate change goals of 2100 tangible in a deeply personal way. The headline goal of the Paris Agreement is to ensure that global temperature rise by 2100 is no more than two degree Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). That date always seemed like a long way off.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 15, 2012

Benetech’s Bookshare library is living proof that real, transformative change happens through partnerships and by helping people unleash their talents and energies. It is the Power of We that changes the way we create transformative positive change. With support from the Bookshare community, we changed that reality.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 10, 2014

This reality changed when both Kevin and Sophia learned about the accessible online library Bookshare , an initiative of Silicon Valley technology nonprofit Benetech. These stories about the needs in our communities are data points of real, positive change. Braille books saved her from isolation and she became an insatiable reader.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

I’m honored to join my fellow contributors in sharing practical lessons we’ve learned throughout our journeys towards actualizing positive social change. We see tremendous innovations in social enterprise, but these are merely part of larger, global changes in the ways in which society organizes itself to create public goods.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 1, 2014

However, we have yet to come to grips with what is ethical and what the laws should be in relation to rapidly changing technologies. Our technical tools by themselves don’t make change: it is these communities using our tools that create social good.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 14, 2011

In fact, the adopted changes are at the heart of the organization’s identity and suggest that every generation reinvents AI. Can it make the changes that are required while remaining true to all it has stood for in the past? And, clearly, the changes are a source not only of debate, but also of innovation.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 8, 2011

President’s Update Fall 2011 Don’t be surprised, but we’re picking up the pace of change at Benetech! All interested nonprofits or social enterprises will be able to leverage SocialCoding4Good by posting their open source software development projects for social change and inviting volunteers to work on them.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 14, 2013

I believe it can help catalyze much-needed systemic change and forever remove the most persistent barriers that prevent people from living a full life. We need that kind of change—for the good of all humanity! And yet, I believe that the “new machine age” that Brynjolfsson describes holds tremendous promise.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 14, 2012

The meeting wasn’t only about technical improvements, though attendees were incredibly enthusiastic and detailed in discussing changes that would have greatest impact in their day-to-day and long-term project goals. How would that change the flow of data into Martus and allow our partners to secure and manage more data than ever before?

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 25, 2014

Bottom-Up Innovation Joi’s new motto underscores the need for more than just tech demos to change the world. We must also treat our beneficiaries as customers and partners in social change, not as passive recipients of charity. Technology has advanced to a point where it is easy to do so.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 3, 2011

Public Interest Capitalism is his personal brand of social change. In our conversation, George and his team outlined ways to use this hybrid approach for expanding social impact in Africa as well as new ideas for enterprises for following up on natural disasters in Asia for sustaining positive change after the immediate humanitarian response.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 1, 2011

Benetech Truths 1 We are committed to social change through technology. Benetech is a Silicon Valley nonprofit organization developing innovative technology solutions with a primary goal of positive social change rather than profit. Benetech’s success at effecting social change stems in large part from its excellent staff.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 13, 2016

It is also odd given that he cites David Bornstein’s seminal book, How to Change the World, to make an unrelated point and omits the full title: How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. Conclusion Social change in the real world is difficult, and magic bullets are few and far between.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 15, 2009

Our local version of accelerated climate change. Tags: climate change trees Miradi Blog Action Day Palo Alto environment biodiversity. Suddenly the world seemed a little harsher. No more trees. No more shade. No more leafy beauty. Our hot summer (and autumn!) days became a little hotter. The city made a mistake.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 26, 2013

She says it's because of her impatience to change society faster. I met Iram last year when I was the evening speaker for Caltech's Gnome Club Founder's Night event. It was exciting to hear that Iram had ditched her career as a brilliant scientist to become a filmmaker.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 30, 2013

Guest Beneblog by Gerardo Capiel, Benetech's VP, Engineering One of the highlights of my meeting circuit each year is the O’Reilly Tools of Change conference in New York City. There is no better place to engage with colleagues about new technologies, changing business models, fresh ideas, and shared standards.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

The Year That Was and the New Year Ahead Guest Beneblog by Betsy Beaumon, Benetech's VP and General Manager of the Literacy Program 2012 was a year of titanic shifts in the fields of consumer technology, education, and publishing, along with the requisite challenges brought about by such rapid change. Thanks again!

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 6, 2013

If you’re up for the challenge and want to change the world, or know someone who might fit the bill, please check out or share this job posting. Why You Do Want this Job: All the above. Thanks for helping us find the right person for this key role at Benetech: it will make a difference to the global cause of human rights!

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 13, 2010

Government as usual is changing fast, because it needs to. The social sector is having to evolve in this changing world. There are a new wave of leaders who want business to both make money and do right by society and the planet. We need to do more with less money, and grapple with the big issues facing humanity.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Read my recent posts that provide guidance and ideas for successful tech philanthropists: You Can Help Us Strengthen the Social Safety Net Tech Entrepreneurs Can Change the World through Philanthropy. Let’s seize the opportunity!

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

Ten years later, our strategy has proven its worth and Martus is an initiative that captures the essence of Benetech’s focus on creating positive social change through technology and on doing the right stuff right—two of the Seven Benetech Truths.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

APRIL 10, 2013

But can Big Data also create positive social change? Massive amounts of data are collected on the pollution in our cities and the changes in our climate. Many activities in the social sphere also generate lots of information.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JULY 3, 2013

“As organizations,” Osborne said, “we must liberate spending to focus on the promotion, learning and innovation around braille,” and recognize that we ought to embrace today’s changing economics and technology so that braille can be part of an equation which delivers access to information for all, not just to those who can afford it.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JULY 14, 2009

If changing the world for the better is not your primary goal, then you’re not a social enterpriser. They are our active partners in changing the world, in changing society. It’s not “we’re up here and you’re down there,” it’s “you’re our partners in making social change.” And we need your help to make that change.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 23, 2014

For LGBTI individuals—like courageous Ugandan activist Richard Lusimbo, who was outed on the front page of a Ugandan tabloid—the availability of Martus and our in-field support is life changing. I invite you to join us as we open new frontiers at the intersection of technology and social change.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

This change creates an incredible opportunity that will affect the entire world, making access an affordable reality as more and more people have a device in their pocket that is capable of being an accessible e-reader: from inexpensive mobile phones and MP3 players to braille notetakers that can store thousands of ebooks in digital braille.

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