Posted on

How Green is Google Plus?

illustration of G+ by Franke James with collaged elements

Google+ is moving fast, and so are some very entrepreneurial folks who are not affiliated with Google.

Google has a reputation for being Super Green.

So, when I got onto G+, I was hoping I could hang out with Green Googlers and learn tons of stuff about all the cool green things they’re doing. Maybe even soak up some clean green energy tips from Sergey and Larry. And even Eric.

But getting my daily dose of greens on G+ required some work by me.

On July 11th I tweeted:
I love Google+ but it's missing something important -- my green friends! Tweet or DM so we can connect on G+. #climate #sustainability

My call for green friends was quickly amplified on Twitter.

Brad Johnson (@climatebrad) ThinkProgress’s Green Editor at the Center for American Progress quickly retweeted it.

climatebrad RT @frankejames: I love Google+ but it's missing something important -- my green friends! Tweet or DM so we can connect on G+. #climate

Green friends are easy to find on Twitter. I have lists and lists and more lists that tell me who is green, and what is the latest news on all environmental issues.

But replicating that deep greenness on Google+ requires some searching.

my green circle

Probably because G+ is still in beta-mode, and there are issues with privacy, Google hasn’t made it easy. To find greens on G+ I entered in search terms like “green” and got pages and pages of results of very green people. But they were green in name only (surname). A few people who are real green leaders came up but not that many.

So, I searched for “environment” and found lots of people who are using that as a synonym for workplace. Thanks, but that’s not the ‘environment’ I’m looking for! Planet didn’t turn up much either.

The best results were when I searched for the names of eNGO’s and green businesses I follow on Twitter. That’s when I hit the motherlode. Lots and lots of green people from eNGO’s and green businesses are on Google+, like WWF, 350.org, Grist, Mother Jones, Greenpeace, David Suzuki Foundation, Fresh Energy, Think Progress and more.

UPDATE: JULY 13TH
But that manual approach is pretty tedious, enter…

Google Plus Search, Google Plus Directory | Find People on Plus:
Browse for People on Plus:

(Thnx Chris Brogan for the tip!)

So, how green is Google Plus?

That depends totally on you. Even though Google is green by reputation, Google Plus is color-blind. G+ is all about making your experience as individual as you are. What color will your G+ be? You can make it whatever color in the rainbow you want.

Are you wondering who I have in my green+ circle?

Well, if you share my passion for all things green and sustainable — and want to discuss the latest environmental news — I’d love to bring you into my circle. Please join me on Google+. You can find me by searching for “Franke James” (artist and author).

I’m happy that I have a Green Circle on Google Plus now and that it’s attracting green thinkers, leaders, movers and shakers.

Join me, so we can make the most important circle, Our Planet, Greener together.

planet circle by franke james




Posted on

Johnny Bunko plays Verbotomy with Dan Pink

News on The James Gang’s create-a-word game Verbotomy.com

We spent a week at Verbotomy playing with Dan Pink’s Johnny Bunko and the Six Career Secrets that no one ever told you. It was a lot of fun and we learned a lot! Like the fact that there is no plan! And that in the long run, persistence trumps talent…

And naturally we created a gaggle of funny words to describe the things we should, and the things we shouldn’t do, acccording to the Johnny Bunko Lessons. At the end of the week Petaj and Arrrteest snagged the top spots and each of them won an autographed copy of Dan’s book.

You can check all the words we created by clicking on the links and definitions below. And if you want, you can still play with Johnny. You can create a word and vote for your favorites. So give it a try! Maybe you’ll invent a word to describe your next big career move!

Thanks again to Dan Pink.

Be creative,

James

Lesson #1: There is no plan.

See: Do you think I should stick to the plan?

Do you think I should stick to the plan?

DEFINITION: v. To stick to your plan even though you’ve realized it’s dumb n. A stupid plan, especially if it’s a career plan suggested by parents, teachers or guidance counselors who want you to be something that you’re not.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

Lesson #2: Think strengths, not weaknesses.

See: The boss says I’m fast-tracking…

The boss says I'm fast-tracking...

DEFINITION: v. To focus on your weaknesses, rather than your strengths. n. A person who is obsessed with their perceived deficiencies, and works hard to ensure that everyone else understands and appreciates their failings.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

Lesson #3: It’s not about you.

See: There is no “U” in “Team”

There's no

DEFINITION: v. To temporarily suppress your own need for self-aggrandizement. n. A team member who works very hard to share their responsibilities and workload, but in the end always tries to claim exclusive credit for any work done.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

Lesson #4: Persistence trumps talent.

See: Find your inner cockroach

It's time to find your inner cockroach

DEFINITION: n. A person who succeeds not because of their talents, but because they just won’t quit. v. To firmly believe in your talents and never give up on your goals, despite the huge obstacles, snide comments, and repeated setbacks.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

Lesson #5: Make excellent mistakes.

See: I just asked the boss to date me

I just asked the boss if she'd date me...

DEFINITION: v. To make a mistake from which the benefits of what you learned exceed the costs of the screw-up. n. An excellent mistake.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

Lesson #6: Leave an imprint.

See: What are you doing to the cubicles?

What are doing to the cubicles!?

DEFINITION: v. To create an impression that you have made a positive contribution, especially when related to career activities. n. A personal mark or imprint which proves that you have done something that matters.

Create a Word | Top Words | Vote for Favorites

More from Dan Pink…

Johnny Bunko

For more career tips and the latest from Dan Pink, see:
“The Adventures of Johnny Bunko” by Dan Pink.