Data, like social capital, only grows by sharing it.
A few weeks back, I was asked to write an introductory piece for the newsletter on the theme of Data. Now I love typing pieces, so I immediately said yes. But at Seats2meet Utrecht, most people would not immediately associate with data, I suspect.
For me, the amount of data and information I have accumulated in some 15 years of experience with Seats2meet can be called immense. For instance, some 90% of my visits to it were centred on a planned meeting or event. Such a fact then leads to dates in the broadest sense of the word: a date, names of people, titles of books, loose thoughts and ideas, tasks and appointments.
I myself have always seen this special place as a goldmine for ideas and encounters. And I have kept and cherished that gold, to be of value to others with it. Based on the idea that you have to give to give, not to get.
Lifehacking became big back then thanks to the facilities at Seats. And even then, we realised that technology and digitalisation, if used properly, can put considerable leverage on social capital and networking. Since four years, I have been organising with the team from Digital Fitness fun gatherings every month in Seats2Meet's largest room. With stories, knowledge, inspiration and wonderful connections. From which initiatives such as Digital Fitness Month and the international PKM-Summit which will be organised for the second time next March.
Data and information are not to be underestimated forms of capital that, like social capital can only grow if you share it. I can't wait until we can make quite a fuss about it together with some great initiatives at the spectacular (because that's what it is) new venue!
On to new encounters!
Martijn Aslander
