Photo Credit: Chris Heuer

On Thursday morning, Chris Heuer, Fabrice Epelboin and I sat down to interview Skyrock founder Pierre Bellanger. Born out of the free radio movement, Bellanger’s pirate radio station has become the 3rd largest European social networking site behind MySpace and Facebook.

Says Bellanger, “We were trying to create revolution. My political act is to create a system of self-expression.”

And here’s one telltale difference between the Americans and the French. As an American, terms like “revolution” and “self-expression” used together make me think of the First Amendment and my ability to exercise freedom of speech. But in Bellanger’s sense of the word he’s talking about everyday unscripted stories shedding light on the issues. In short, he’s talking about life streaming, reality-based radio/blogging or social MEdia.

It’s easy to forget in this world of constant Twitter, Facebook and crowd sourced reviews that the mass distribution of amateur opinions can in some cases be a political act.

While we’re far from a true meritocracy, the barrier to entry for social media are lower than they are with any other major form of communication. As we cast a wider net and harness the power of the real-time web, we increase our ability to create meaningful dialogue. From dialogue comes action, and from action comes change.

In other words, we are more than just physical points in the Foursquare of the universe.

I’m at the point where I need to act, but I’m not sure where to turn. Joining Chris and Kristie’s Social Media Club House has been a great first step. In meeting international innovators and change-makers, I’m beginning to understand the difference between talk and action. The best compliment I could give anyone is that they “walk the walk.” Bellanger, Heuer and Epelboin walk the walk, and I hope to follow their lead and produce something great on my own.