Sunday, June 13, 5:00am, PDX: Execs w/ briefcases, parents w/ dozing children gaze @ flatscreens: Slovenia v Algeria. #worldcup

While I have a particular penchant for the "The Toon", I am not among the the "cuppucinos" Michele Norris refers to in today's National Public Radio face-off. Still it's hard not to be excited about the goings on in South Africa and around the world.

In my own city, foriegn-born neighbors and American soccer (football) fans convene in late night and early morning gathering places, sharing a passion for the game and connecting with each other in a visible and visceral way.

On the web, social networking sites are challenged to keep pace with millions wanting to share their own World Cup experiences with, well, the world.

And on the radio, we debate over the music (?).

* Many thanks to Milton Jung CBNSP on  Flickr for the use of the photo.

Beancounters fret about the worldwide loss of productivity, but most of us find inspiration, and some great joy (reflecting the difference between GNP and happiness).

Millions of people have watched the world cup before, but this time, we will be connecting with one another - Clay-Shirky style.

Many will be learning tech skills, courtesy of their peers. Others will experinece the culture of sharing widespread connectivity makes possible - and demand it in their own communities.

And we'll all practice a kind of global village diplomacy.

What else could we do with this kind of connectivity?