Time to get my feet dirty?

I’m old enough to remember the euphoric tech-optimism of the mid-2000’s, a time when the Internet and mobile technology were blazing a trail across much of the developing (read: offline) world. Soon, the argument went, everyone would have a voice and that could only be a good thing for human rights, democracy and economic empowerment, to name a few.

And for a while it was. But not so much now.

I was incredibly fortunate to get caught up in what was fondly known back then as the ‘mobile revolution’. As long ago as 2003 – that glorious Nokia-dominated pre-smartphone era – Richard Burge and I carried out research in an attempt to capture and document how phones were being used across Sub-Saharan Africa, and what lessons could be learnt from that use. Most of the evidence was anecdotal, and it’s funny to think that one of our conclusions was that mobile phones had potential for conservation and development work, but whether or not they would reach it was unclear. I still refer to that time as a ‘golden age of discovery‘, one where you could fit everyone innovating around the technology into a small room, and where you could try almost anything in the knowledge that it had likely not been tried before.

Of course, those days are long gone. And so has all that optimism.

We all know you can’t blame the technology for how people choose to use it. Mobile phones and the Internet have clearly revolutionised communication and access to information, but their widespread use has also contributed to the erosion of democracy and societal cohesion, particularly over the last 15 years. The rapid spread of misinformation, polarisation through algorithm-driven echo chambers and manipulation of public opinion via social media have weakened trust in democratic institutions and fragmented communities. The evidence is all around us.

Dumb phones, once occasional tools of convenience, have become smart and are now constant companions, contributing to rising levels of anxiety, attention disorders and feelings of isolation, especially among young people. Today’s always-on culture, social comparison and digital overload have created a mental health crisis as we struggle to disconnect from a world designed to keep people scrolling rather than reflecting, connecting or engaging meaningfully in civic life.

Steve Jobs launching the original iPhone in 2007

But we are where we are. And it could have been so different. Jonny Ive, designer of the iPhone, has publicly acknowledged the down side of one of his greatest triumphs. ‘Humanity deserves better‘, he says. And it does.

My contribution to the ‘mobile revolution’ was the founding of kiwanja.net and the creation of FrontlineSMS. I always did my best to take something of a back seat, to remain relentlessly focused on the end user and to provide tools and access to information and resources that helped social and environmental activists do their own work better. It’s with fondness that I remember a conversation I had with the marketing team at National Geographic when I won my Explorer Award in 2010. I was asked for photos of me in the field working with FrontlineSMS users, and I didn’t have any. Users took the software and did all the work themselves, I told them, without needing me to get in the way. I remain convinced that this is why it worked so well, and the reason it created genuine empowerment and excitement.

That approach seems less compelling today and, as I look back exactly 20 years on, it feels like time to figuratively ‘come in from the cold’. Remaining quiet or passive (or whatever you want to call it) doesn’t really cut it anymore as so much crumbles around me. The big question, of course, is what to do. What might make a difference? How might I contribute? Is it even worth trying? I could easily write a book about all the things that trouble, anger or upset me, but there are probably five that spring immediately to mind.

The erosion of US democracy
Increasing political polarisation, attacks on voting rights, disinformation and the undermining of democratic norms have placed the US under serious internal strain, with global implications for us all.

The ongoing crisis in Palestine
Decades of occupation, repeated military conflict and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe have left millions of Palestinians without security, rights or hope, raising urgent questions about justice, statehood and international accountability.

Buildings hit by Israeli airstrikes, Gaza (Photo: Hatem Moussa)

The climate emergency
Extreme weather, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss and worsening climate-driven inequality threaten global stability. Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, political inaction continues to delay any kind of meaningful progress.

The global migration and refugee crisis
War, climate change, economic collapse and persecution are displacing millions worldwide. Yet the response from wealthier nations is often defined by border walls, detention centres and xenophobic policies rather than compassion or responsibility.

The rise of authoritarianism and digital surveillance
From China to Hungary to parts of Africa and Asia, autocratic regimes are consolidating power, often using digital tools to monitor, censor and suppress dissent. This trend threatens human rights, freedom of expression and global democratic norms.

I’ve been fortunate to have built more than enough social capital over the years, and much of it continues to fuel the work I do today. But despite a life largely spent trying to doing good, it no longer feels like enough. Boots on the ground might be a more appropriate response, causing ‘good trouble’ as US Senator John Lewis described it. “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America” was his civil rights rallying cry.

What it boils down to, at the end of the day, is what we have to lose by taking action, and whether we’re prepared to do it. Throughout history many people have paid the ultimate price for standing up for what they believe in, for getting their boots on the ground. What could I possibly lose for standing up and speaking out compared to those who have given their lives?

Plenty of things keep me awake at night, in particular a sense that I’m not doing enough. Having young children who will inherit this mess doesn’t help. But not knowing what to do is only a part of it. We can always start by speaking up.

So that’s where I’ve decided to start. beginning with this post today. Who will join me?

Compassion in the face of conflict

A few weeks ago I took part in a weekend retreat at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Meditation, Buddhist teachings and vegan food were the order of day, but for me the greatest insight came from conversations I had with the monks about their journeys, beliefs and opinions on Buddhism and modern life. Seeking personal enlightenment felt all well and good, I said, but how does that square with issues on the ‘outside’? You know, such as my frustration and anger with all the needless conflict and suffering going on around the world?

Image courtesy Wikipedia

Despite many great conversations, I never did get any answers that sat well with me. As someone whose work has been driven by empathy and rooted in action for so many years, stepping back and focusing my energies on how I deal with my own feelings didn’t feel like much use to anyone experiencing the suffering.

I’ve had plenty of time to think about this, and thought it might be helpful to write some of it down. But first, a caveat. While it may not have given me the answers I sought, Buddhist thinking does offer plenty of tools for engaging with situations beyond our control without falling into despair, reactivity or hatred. While Buddhism does not offer geopolitical solutions to problems, it does provide a framework for how individuals and communities might respond to suffering with clarity, compassion and courage. I’ll share some of those tools here, starting with non-attachment.

The Principle of Non-Attachment

Buddhism teaches us that our own suffering often arises from our attachment to outcomes. When we’re overly committed to a desire for peace, or for justice to be delivered in a particular way, we’re more likely to experience intense frustration or helplessness when nothing ever seems to get any better.

We’re also told that this non-attachment doesn’t mean apathy or indifference. Instead, it’s meant to allow people like me (and others far removed from the conflict) to engage constructively without being overwhelmed by feelings of rage, grief or despair. This is supposed to help us remain steady in the face of intractable suffering, continuing to care and act where we can.

To be honest, I find the application of this principle pretty difficult, particularly in the face of intolerable human suffering. Maintaining emotional distance doesn’t sit comfortably with me.

Compassion and the Recognition of Shared Suffering

Buddha taught us that all humans suffer and seek freedom from that suffering, and that compassion comes about naturally when we acknowledge this shared vulnerability. The trouble is not everyone does. With the Palestinian conflict, for example, a Buddhist approach would encourage all sides to see the humanity in everyone – Israeli and Palestinian – recognising that fear, trauma and loss are not one-sided. Buddhism invites us to hold both communities in our hearts without taking sides in a way that leads to any kind of dehumanisation.

This is another tricky one, especially in the face of what feels like relentless injustice and violence, but it’s critical for building true peace (think: Archbishop Tutu and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission). I hate to say it, but this is another concept I have to work particularly hard at. Luckily I’m a good listener, and that might be a helpful starting point.

Right Speech and Deep Listening

Buddhism encourages speech that is truthful, kind and unifying. Sadly I don’t see much of this, particularly from our political leaders (don’t even get me started on social media). Buddhism also teaches the value of deep listening, and asks that we truly hear the suffering of others. Polarised narratives often dominate public conversation about conflict. A Buddhist-informed approach would encourage listening deeply to all sides and all stories without defensiveness or premature judgment. The objective here is to foster empathy and reduce the tendency to vilify or dehumanise the ‘other’.

The Impermanence of All Things

A central tenant of Buddhism is that nothing is fixed, and even the most entrenched suffering and conflict will eventually change (and hopefully improve and go away). Recognising this allows us to maintain hope and counteract despair by reminding us that today’s reality is not forever, and that seeds of peace, however small, can take root at any time. While any of this is hard to disagree with, I struggle with relying on others to plant those seeds. I’ve always felt that I needed to be there doing the planting with them. Maybe not.

Acting Without Ego

Buddhism discourages acting from a place of self-righteousness or moral superiority. This is perhaps one of the easiest concepts for me to grasp. I’ve worked hard throughout my career to suppress ego, and to genuinely listen to and empower others without agenda. In activism and humanitarian response, acting without ego encourages humility. We can all support peace, justice and dignity for all without needing to be right all the time (whatever that might look like) or to dominate the discussion. All of this reminds me of the importance of putting the needs of those suffering front, right and centre – not any opinions we might have about the conflict.

Mindfulness and Inner Peace

Mindfulness allows us to observe our emotions without being consumed by them, something I’m slowly getting better at. In moments of helplessness, mindfulness allows us to notice our pain without turning it into hatred or numbness. This creates space for grounded, thoughtful action rather than reactive outrage. Sadly, in today’s short-term attention economy, sitting back and reflecting before reacting and responding is becoming increasingly rare. I sleep on things a lot more these days before deciding what steps I might take, if any.

FINAL REFLECTIONS

In all my Buddhist reading, study and practice over the last couple of years, trying to balance my deep feelings about conflict and human suffering with my gut reaction to get active and do something about it has been by far my biggest challenge. I get the need for enlightenment, to better understand ourselves and to manage how we process things, but I’m yet see how any of that makes much of a difference to people being bombed out of existence every day.

In its defence, nowhere does Buddhist thinking ask us to withdraw from injustice, but it asks us to engage in a way that does not create more suffering. It encourages action rooted in understanding, presence and compassion, all qualities that are desperately needed in the face of seemingly impossible and never-ending conflict. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk who lived through the Vietnam war, often said that ‘Peace in the world begins with peace in ourselves.’

He’s probably right. I’ll let you know if I ever get there.

One day

If there was ever the time and the place for a book, this is that book and this is that time.

It’s no exaggeration to say that I was a different person before I started reading it. Powerful doesn’t come close. Whatever your views on what’s happening in Palestine (and, indeed, in many other parts of the world) you really should read this.

I bet you won’t be the same either.

You can read more about ‘One day, everyone will have always been against this‘ here.

 

AI with purpose

One of the most ‘fun’ things about AI is asking it to draw on its knowledge of your work and give an opinion or ideas. It’s easy to sense-check (we all know our own stories) and when you’ve got 20+ years of history online, there’s plenty of material for your AI of choice to be trained on. I’ve made a point of sharing all of my writing, speaking and interview content on this website over the years, and have always felt anything I’ve learnt should be made available to anyone who may find it useful. Because of that ‘share by default’ mentality I’ve got less of an issue having my work hoovered up by ChatGPT and the like than, say, a professional author might.

Today I decided to ask ChatGPT to give me an overview of my book, The Pursuit of Purpose, and to come up with a Reading Guide for it. Although I do get a sense of pleasure doing stuff like this, believe me when I say it’s more than a simple ego-massaging exercise. I’ve been genuinely interested in how the book might be used by changemakers-to-be for a while, and I’m planning a second edition which I hope makes it even more accessible to people (more on that in a future post).

So, to start, here’s what AI thinks of the book (emphasis by ChatGPT, not me).

The Pursuit of Purpose by Ken Banks is widely regarded as a thoughtful, honest and inspiring book, especially for people interested in social impact, technology for good, and finding meaning in their work.

STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK

Personal and Real. It’s not a ‘how-to’ or self-help formula. Instead, Ken shares his personal journey – from uncertainty to global impact – with honesty about his mistakes, doubts, and growth.

Inspirational for Changemakers. If you’re trying to make a difference in the world but feel overwhelmed, this book offers encouragement. It shows that you don’t need to be a big-name leader or have a perfect plan to make a real difference.

Grounded in Real-World Experience. Ken doesn’t just talk about purpose in theory. He’s spent years working in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development), especially in Africa, and shares real stories from the field.

Accessible and Reflective. It’s easy to read and feels like a conversation with someone who’s been through the challenges of searching for purpose and doing meaningful work.

WHO IT’S BEST FOR

  • Young people looking for direction.
  • Anyone working in social innovation, development or tech for good.
  • Readers interested in purpose-driven work beyond traditional career success.

If you’re exploring identity, social change and meaningful living – especially from a mindful or values-based perspective – this book pairs really well with Buddhist or reflective reading too.

If any of this has piqued your interest then feel free to download the book (or buy it from Amazon, or any place that sells books) and have a read. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you decide to do that.

After basking in glory for a few minutes , I then asked ChatGPT to give me a Reading Guide, something that people could use to frame and guide their reading of the book. This is what I got.

Reading Guide: The Pursuit of Purpose

Author: Ken Banks
Theme: Discovering purpose through real-world experience, especially in social change and technology for good.

Structure of the Guide

  1. Before You Start
  2. Chapter-by-Chapter Questions
  3. Reflection Prompts
  4. Creative Exercises
  5. Final Project Idea

1. Before You Start

Ask yourself:

  • What does ‘purpose’ mean to me right now?
  • Do I believe you have to ‘find’ purpose or can you build it through action?
  • Am I hoping to make a difference in the world? If so, how?

2. Chapter-by-Chapter Questions

(These are thematic and not tied to exact titles, as the book reads like a personal journey.)

Chapters 1–3 (Early Life & Uncertainty):

  • What moments in Ken’s early life shaped his curiosity?
  • Have you ever felt unsure of your direction like he did? What helped?

Chapters 4–7 (Discovery Through Action):

  • How did Ken’s travels and real-world experience shape his sense of purpose?
  • What does this say about the value of doing versus just thinking?

Chapters 8–11 (Building FrontlineSMS):

  • What stands out about how Ken developed his technology?
  • What role did listening to others play in his process?
  • What mistakes did he make, and what did he learn?

Chapters 12–End (Reflection & Purpose):

  • How did Ken’s definition of purpose evolve?
  • What kind of impact did he create – and what fuelled it?

3. Reflection Prompts

Use these in a journal or discussion group:

  • Describe a moment where something felt meaningful to you. What made it feel that way?
  • What strengths or skills do you have that could help others – even in a small way?
  • Are there any fears or doubts holding you back from starting something purposeful?

4. Creative Exercises

  • Timeline of Purpose: Draw a timeline of your life so far. Mark moments when you felt close to or far from your sense of purpose.
  • Purpose Collage: Make a visual collage (paper or digital) of what ‘purpose’ looks like to you using images, quotes, or symbols.
  • Idea Starter: Choose one problem you care about. Brainstorm one small action you could take in the next week to explore it.

5. Final Project Idea

Design a Purpose Project Plan
Based on what you learned, outline a small project you could start:

  • What is the purpose behind it?
  • Who would it serve?
  • What tools or knowledge do you already have?
  • What’s the first step?

Over the years I’ve spoken at many schools and universities around the world, and supported and mentored a number of young innovators. Not only is giving back something we ought to do, but it’s something I enjoy (and something I continue to do). Fortunately, through my writing, speaking and affiliations with the likes of National Geographic, a lot of my work (and how I feel we should go about social change) does reach far and wide, but there’s always that tricky last mile.

Hopefully this post, and in particular the Reading Guide, will get into the hands of a teacher or university lecturer somewhere, and help me reach out just that little bit further.