What are you passionate about?

As far as passions go, technology has to be up there on the top of my list.  I really enjoy keeping track of all the new hardware, websites, mobile phones and gadgets that always seem to be released overseas long before we even hear about them out here in New Zealand.  I try to listen to as many technology focused podcasts and follow many technology blogs. I'm an early adopter of as much new technology I can get my hands on if I feel it is something that is going to change the way we think going forward.  The iPhone being one of those gadgets I lined up last year in July to get my hands on this game changing platform, not just because the iPhone is a cool piece of kit but because I believe that portable computing platform like the iPhone push forward the way in which we connect with others and have meaningful conversations (though tools including Twitter and Facebook).  Technology touches so many aspects of our lives without us thinking twice about it and I makes our lives *easier and more interconnected with those around us. I am also passionate about the method in which I gather all my technology related information and media; the global community that exists online and in online communities and "social media" (a term I use relatively loosely as it seems to be a word thrown around in many a traditional marketers plan a lot as the new cool thing).  In reality I think the best "social media" is naturally and organically formed communities around a topic of interest and led by those within the community. Whether this conversation is initiated by organisations or individuals doesn't matter so much, as long as it is real, genuine and honest conversation. It is becoming more and more accessible to engage and have real dialogue with a community of people using freely available tools and a smart strategy, I get excited when I see great implementations of these ideas/tools and people engaging in communities about ideas and interests they are passionate about.

*There is some debate around this... just try keeping your mobile phone or computer off for a day or two and see what happens!  I also am guilty of cursing at my computer screen when something doesn't work as it should.