The Nametag Manifesto - Chapter 12: The End of Selfishness

March 11, 2012 3:58 PM

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“Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.”

That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe.

My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days.

And
after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four
continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant
experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a
dozen books in the process, I believe, with all my heart, that the
societal implications of wearing nametags could change everything.

This is my manifesto:

12. The End of Selfishness

If everybody wears
nametags, we experience mass generosity.

It’s all about bringing our humanity to the moment. Giving ourselves away. Wearing a nametag is a micro-practice in the art of sacrificing.
It’s an act of vulnerability. We open ourselves and become available and
accessible to people. If they need help, they call your name. If not, at least
they’re comforted by the idea that you’re there.

Nametags change our posture. Especially when we’re present
at an event or aware of someone’s actions: It’s easier for victims to get help
in emergency situations, since bystanders would usually not offer assistance
and intervene with strangers.

But that’s the thing: Now we’re not strangers anymore. We
can’t be. And our connection to each other fosters a greater sense of
connection and community, which makes it harder to stand mute while someone we
know is suffering. Now we can solve problems for each other and with each
other. We’ve shifted from an apathetic population of isolated meat sacks into
one big transcontinental cheerleading squad.

If everybody wears nametags, no more
bystander behavior, no more diffusion of involvement and no more suffering.

– – –

You are now ready to move on to Chapter 13.

You can read The Nametag Manifesto, in full, for free, right now, here.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your manifesto?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “17 Behaviors to Avoid for Effective Listening,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

My job is to help companies make their mission more than a statement, using limited edition social artifacts.