something along the lines of Google Wave, an
even-more-instant-than-Twitter real-time-service that somehow gets news to
millions in a blink of an eye. That'll actually be it's name:
EvenMoreInstantThanTwitterRealTimeServiceThatImprovesOnTheIdeasOfGoogleWave.
Google Wave users will hate it.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Kevin2015 ...
...is cutting edge internet TV and
eMatt
Matt D. Wonders what happens when the aggregators have little or nothing left to aggregate.
And he thinks the policy-makers still have a lot of power, even in eDemocracy.
And he thinks the policy-makers still have a lot of power, even in eDemocracy.
All in all a typical day in TrinblogVoxLand
OK, Lisa is freaking out but in a really really interesting post and she wants an iPhone and intends to contribute to democracy and become part of complete storytelling.
Dan worries that people are blinded by the shining promise of technology without really insisting on the preservation of any humanistic standards to go with it. He is both pessimisatic and strangely hopeful.
And Courtney found this remarkable next-phase of the New York Times and correctly (I think) delved into Creative Commons because she noted the angst in the online world over who owns what as copyright ahd paywalls and the in-out flow of information becopme more pressing issues. The basic CC argument, I think, is: to get more famous, don't charge money. But don't lose ownership. Then, if and when you get famous you can think some more of it. Noted that Lessig (see ignorance post) licenses his book through CC.
Nobody asked me, but I think there's a backlash coming against the free flow of information. Consider the Fairey/AP case.
And then there's Murdoch's block Google movement, which we need to talk about tonight.
Dan worries that people are blinded by the shining promise of technology without really insisting on the preservation of any humanistic standards to go with it. He is both pessimisatic and strangely hopeful.
And Courtney found this remarkable next-phase of the New York Times and correctly (I think) delved into Creative Commons because she noted the angst in the online world over who owns what as copyright ahd paywalls and the in-out flow of information becopme more pressing issues. The basic CC argument, I think, is: to get more famous, don't charge money. But don't lose ownership. Then, if and when you get famous you can think some more of it. Noted that Lessig (see ignorance post) licenses his book through CC.
Nobody asked me, but I think there's a backlash coming against the free flow of information. Consider the Fairey/AP case.
And then there's Murdoch's block Google movement, which we need to talk about tonight.
The rational ignorance argument
So Jessica's blog led me to this lengthy article basically arguing that transparency -- one of the pillars of eGovernance -- has its downsides.
Sheila would call that reporting without context.
Matt D. Would call it the problem of everybody.
Jess cited this response and there was this one on the same site.
Mostly, I think this stuff is not that hard.
If you can get to this file, you can begin asking questions, good questions that need to be asked. And you don't need to be a reporter.
Sheila would call that reporting without context.
Matt D. Would call it the problem of everybody.
Jess cited this response and there was this one on the same site.
Mostly, I think this stuff is not that hard.
If you can get to this file, you can begin asking questions, good questions that need to be asked. And you don't need to be a reporter.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
My assignment and thought experiment for you
Watch the scary 2014 video again. Then imagine a similar not-too-distant future. The NY Times, as we know it, is gone. So is the Courant. So are some other old semi-reliable big media models.
What do YOU see in its place?
What are YOUR content consumption habits, at that point?
What role do you see yourself playing, possibly even as a content creator?
(Support your ideas with links whenever possible.)
Things to ponder.
1. the hot new term is mutualization. What does it mean? What role would it play in your vision?
Here Shirky talks about using the same idea to save local book stores. (Even Dan would be in favor of that!) Note his use of the term "third place" to describe a type of environment. One incredible visionary described, earlier this year, how that idea of a space or place could be applied to news.
2. In the eDemocracy model, we almost do without journalists. New tools are added almost every day. You could "know" almost anything you wanted to know, but then what would you do? (I'm asking!)
3. Another option is that linked causes would create the journalism they want. Nonprofits with mutual interests -- maybe even mutual interest not immediately evident -- could band together to create media. But then who consumes the media? What are the other questions that crop up and how do you answer those?
4. Another argument you could make is that journalism of all kinds will take a back seat to PR and advertising, that those sectors have been faster to master. In which case, news platforms like Foursquare might take over and make where you go, what you buy, what you like the main story of interest to you. This guy, for instance, loves FourSquare, but I don't think he's worried about the future of journalism.
Oh, wait, maybe he does care. I love this post, where he says the little things make you smarter. And he argues that the little things are left out of a thing like memeorandum, which I admit to using pretty addictively. Ah, mememorandum. We never did get to discuss that. Note how other journalists now use it as a way to measure how widespread a meme is.
What do YOU see in its place?
What are YOUR content consumption habits, at that point?
What role do you see yourself playing, possibly even as a content creator?
(Support your ideas with links whenever possible.)
Things to ponder.
1. the hot new term is mutualization. What does it mean? What role would it play in your vision?
Here Shirky talks about using the same idea to save local book stores. (Even Dan would be in favor of that!) Note his use of the term "third place" to describe a type of environment. One incredible visionary described, earlier this year, how that idea of a space or place could be applied to news.
2. In the eDemocracy model, we almost do without journalists. New tools are added almost every day. You could "know" almost anything you wanted to know, but then what would you do? (I'm asking!)
3. Another option is that linked causes would create the journalism they want. Nonprofits with mutual interests -- maybe even mutual interest not immediately evident -- could band together to create media. But then who consumes the media? What are the other questions that crop up and how do you answer those?
I've signed on as a paid advisor to the yearlong project, which will happen
largely virtually. The idea is that the alternative, progressive nonprofits —
the National Wildlife Federation, National Civic League, Freespeech.tv, Mother
Jones and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy — will assign point
people to work with producers selected by San Francisco State's Renaissance
Journalism Center.
4. Another argument you could make is that journalism of all kinds will take a back seat to PR and advertising, that those sectors have been faster to master. In which case, news platforms like Foursquare might take over and make where you go, what you buy, what you like the main story of interest to you. This guy, for instance, loves FourSquare, but I don't think he's worried about the future of journalism.
1. It’s a geolocation service that you use on your Smart Phone (I use it on my
iPhone and on my Droid). It competes with a raft of services like Britekite,
Google Latitude, Gowalla, and others.2. It’s a game. You check in where you are
and it gives you points and prizes.3. It enhances your experience in each
location. Check in at the Half Moon Bay Ritz and you’ll see tons of “tips” that
people have left for you. Francine Hardaway, for instance, tells you where the
best dog beach is. I tell you how to save $40 on smores. Other people tell you
that Tres Amigos is the best Mexican place nearby, etc.4. It’s an advertising
platform that enables local businesses to give you offers based on where you
check in. Check in at the San Francisco Apple Store, for instance, and the
Marriott across the street could offer you $5 off of a cocktail to get you to
cross the street and come over.
Oh, wait, maybe he does care. I love this post, where he says the little things make you smarter. And he argues that the little things are left out of a thing like memeorandum, which I admit to using pretty addictively. Ah, mememorandum. We never did get to discuss that. Note how other journalists now use it as a way to measure how widespread a meme is.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Revolution?
Right around the time our class is ending, there will be a flurry of activity in this movement exploring this idea that coalitions of programmers, developers, activists and citizen journalists could run around the outside of lobbyists. elected bigshots and the entrenched professional press.
So you've got a Hackathon.
So you've got a Hackathon.
And the Other Future of News. (#ofon)
A kind of convergence
So, this week Wikileaks -- an interesting concept in its own right -- released an incredible dump of 9/11-related messages .
It's of course way too much for any small group to humans to sort through.
So one of the places it went is to a special reddit thread where the act of user-voting would theoretically flush significant material toward the top.
Reddit itself is worth a look.
It's of course way too much for any small group to humans to sort through.
So one of the places it went is to a special reddit thread where the act of user-voting would theoretically flush significant material toward the top.
Reddit itself is worth a look.
Depth, of a sort
One argument you could make is that what the web needs is not "the next new thing" but a chance to kind of catch its breath. It's a situation in which the amount of content vastly outstrips our ability to consume, store or even sort.
One reason I like the very old-fashioned Metafilter is that it's one of the places that guides you past some of the superficial stuff that so annoys Dan.
I mean, come on, somebody making Kant fun?
One reason I like the very old-fashioned Metafilter is that it's one of the places that guides you past some of the superficial stuff that so annoys Dan.
I mean, come on, somebody making Kant fun?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
"The Road"
Getting warmed up.
I'm pretty sure I taught this video in 2005, my first class about the internet. Weidly enough, as Aldon Hynes will say, some its predictions have already come true but a lot of its implicit questions have not really been figured out even now.
Another question for next Monday:
Is there a safe way to manage your web identity?
Much more to come.
I'm pretty sure I taught this video in 2005, my first class about the internet. Weidly enough, as Aldon Hynes will say, some its predictions have already come true but a lot of its implicit questions have not really been figured out even now.
Another question for next Monday:
Is there a safe way to manage your web identity?
Much more to come.
Monday, November 23, 2009
I still don't know jack
I think one of the keys to Twitter is the slight impression of anonymity. It's less binding-to-you than Facebook.
Twitter is about content and conversation -- and the blurring of the two.
The "following" feature is kind of interesting. In a way it's a lot more invasive than Facebook.
Oh, I give up.
You guys are going to have to figure this out.
Twitter is about content and conversation -- and the blurring of the two.
The "following" feature is kind of interesting. In a way it's a lot more invasive than Facebook.
Oh, I give up.
You guys are going to have to figure this out.
Teach me about Twitter
Some basics: Cortney C. has some useful guides and hints.
And Kasey found a very cool way of telling the story of T.
Following:
This, via Corutney A.
Sally: "Like a small, easy Web."
How Courtney C. came to like Twitter (better than blogging, anyway).
Sheila, on why she likes it.
Greg on why he likes it -- a very McLuhanian take.
Courtney A. just doesn't frackin' like it. And you know she tried. And I know what she means, too. Twitter almost isn't enough of a place. She also found this response to unflattering Twitter theories.
Jess really tried too. But it seemed hollow.
I like this (via Lisa) about the political uses of Twitter. And this which calls it a totally alien form of communcation
uses:
Matt D. "Real time story telling."
And poetry!
Matt Fitz on hashtags.
Kasey: Cultivate an audience and watch the news go by.
Searching. (Kasey found that and said this. We should try an in-class experiment.) I like the idea that you can get unbranded information, but so far in my experiments, I didn't find much,. Wrong search topics?
David says when you post a question, someone answers.
Greg likes the geostamping., but Allison doesn't.
Courtney C likes this, instead of Tweedeck.
And Kasey found a very cool way of telling the story of T.
Following:
This, via Corutney A.
Sally: "Like a small, easy Web."
How Courtney C. came to like Twitter (better than blogging, anyway).
Sheila, on why she likes it.
Greg on why he likes it -- a very McLuhanian take.
Courtney A. just doesn't frackin' like it. And you know she tried. And I know what she means, too. Twitter almost isn't enough of a place. She also found this response to unflattering Twitter theories.
Jess really tried too. But it seemed hollow.
I like this (via Lisa) about the political uses of Twitter. And this which calls it a totally alien form of communcation
uses:
Matt D. "Real time story telling."
And poetry!
Matt Fitz on hashtags.
Kasey: Cultivate an audience and watch the news go by.
Searching. (Kasey found that and said this. We should try an in-class experiment.) I like the idea that you can get unbranded information, but so far in my experiments, I didn't find much,. Wrong search topics?
David says when you post a question, someone answers.
Greg likes the geostamping., but Allison doesn't.
Courtney C likes this, instead of Tweedeck.
More ...
Kevin on Twitter Apps.
And on differences with FB
As someone who regularly uses Twitter (yet doesn't actually tweet all that
much), some may find it odd that I rarely, if ever, actually visit Twitter.com.
While I have nothing against Twitter's website per say, I do find that user an
application for my Twitter viewing is much better. I've tried many (and given
them a fair shake) desktop apps ranging from Tweetie to twhirl to Twitterrific to TweetDeck and on the iPhone, I've
tried TweetDeck and TwitterFon.By far, my favorite, on both platforms, is
TweetDeck. The layout is simple and user-friendly. It's a full featured app that
is powerful yet accessible. It's easy to navigate, easy to pick up yet easy to
utilize to its full potential.I do find it interesting that there is such a
proliferation of Twitter Apps readily available for free use. Unlike the other
major social networks, such as Facebook or MySpace, Twitter Apps have thrived to
the point that I'm not sure I know of any of my friends who actually utilize
Twitter by going to the service's actual website. The app experience allows your
feed to be open all the time, running in the background, allowing quick access
for checking Twitter whenever you want without having to visit the site. I guess
I've become the de-facto app guy for the class so it probably doesn't come as a
surprise that I support and use an app for this but in this case, the app
geniunely makes a Twitter experience easier and more effective.
And on differences with FB
Just as a start to my week's posts (I'm a Twitter believer), I think the
easiest way to look at the difference between the Facebook Status Update Feed
vs. Twitter's feed is that Facebook's is designed to keep track of people you
know. The beauty of Twitter lies in it's ability to follow people you don't. As
a result, where Facebook is a way to keep tabs on your friends and their
activities, Twitter is much more a true news feed from around the world. It is
entirely user-generated and operated.Some people were complaining last night
that they didn't have enough people to follow to make Twitter worthwhile. I'm
not sure Twitter is meant to just check in on friends. It is easy, however, for
people you want to hear more from (sports figures/writers, movie/music critics,
industry leaders, stars) to broadcast their thoughts. I don't necessarily "know"
or need to know ESPN's Adam Schefter but I "know" the Twitter Adam Schefter, who
has the best breaking news on the NFL around.
Kevin Knows Twitter
Here are his fave five.
Here's my list of 5 potential uses of Twitter:1. Crowd-Sourcing: A quick
search for a hashtag or trending topic will give one a pretty good idea as to
what the masses are saying about it. This was initially more difficult without
the use of a client desktop application but since Twitter has implemented a
viable search on their own site, this is a quick and easy process. Let's say I
wanted to see what Eagles fans thought about Sunday Night Football. Search for "Iggles" and there you go.2.
News Source: One can get breaking news information quicker on Twitter than any
place else on the 'net. Whether you choose to follow news organizations such as
the NY Times or rely strictly on the
idea of citizen journalism, a Twitter user can get to the point info fast and
easy.3. Blogging Platform: Tired of writing longer blog entries? Twitter
alleviates that with it's 140 character restriction. When a Twitter user is
efficient and up to date (Adam
Schefter), you can get the information you want without having to sift
through a longer blog entry. Twitter forces the user to boil down his/her post
to the bare minimum, a blast of information without the (sometimes) needless
opinion.4. Keeping up with Friends: An offshoot of #3 and an intrusion on
Facebook's (which has essentially adopted Twitter's format for their news feed)
territory, one could use Twitter for what doubters hate Twitter for. If you want
to tweet that you're sitting watching TV while eating Cheetos, have at it. Just
don't expect anyone other than your friends to follow you.5. Meeting New People:
While Facebook is designed for keeping track of people you know, Twitter is much
easier to find people with similar interests and seeing what they have to say.
Utilize the excellent WeFollow and you can
find Twitterers for just about any topic you want to learn about.
#here
Interesting use of hashtags.
People use them to create a kind of parallel same-time reality.
Or as organizing tools.
People use them to create a kind of parallel same-time reality.
Or as organizing tools.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Tiwi$$er
On a slightly more serious note, here is the latest musing about the business end of Twitter.
Tweggo
Please note the role Twitter is playing in getting us through the national Eggo crisis.
But then, it has divided Canada.
But then, it has divided Canada.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Somebody else figure out what this means
I'm reaching the point where some of the things I learn sound like the teacher talking in the Charlie Brown cartoons.
Life Is Tweet
I barely know what I'm doing, but I did set up a Tweetdeck account. So far, it does not really please me, but I haven't figured out how to get the columns the way I want them.
same goes for TwitScoop. What I really want is a Twitscoop feed onto Tweetdeck that is customized for the searches I want. I bet there's a way to do it.
I did have some success searching Hartford on TwitScoop. I found some people who, I think, will be helpful in some shows I'm doing in early December. (They are young Christians, and I don't know how else I would have found them.) So I've started following them.
I also purged out some of the followees one seems to get as a default setting on Twitter. I kept a few, like Jimmy Fallon, just for the sake of heterogenity. Then I started following Shirky and a few other people germane to our work.
same goes for TwitScoop. What I really want is a Twitscoop feed onto Tweetdeck that is customized for the searches I want. I bet there's a way to do it.
I did have some success searching Hartford on TwitScoop. I found some people who, I think, will be helpful in some shows I'm doing in early December. (They are young Christians, and I don't know how else I would have found them.) So I've started following them.
I also purged out some of the followees one seems to get as a default setting on Twitter. I kept a few, like Jimmy Fallon, just for the sake of heterogenity. Then I started following Shirky and a few other people germane to our work.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I Tweet, Therefore I am
If you're puzzled, you can read this helpful intro. There are links near the end that go into more depth. You might even fool around with posterous if you get curious.
This guy offers a few tips.
I'm Thecolinmcenroe, by the way.
This guy offers a few tips.
I'm Thecolinmcenroe, by the way.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Could someone tell me tonight if...
...monkeys are flying out my ass?
Or some other 2012 thing?
Because the improbable is happening.
And, indeed, for next week, you must all have Twitter accounts and have used them and have learned about Tweetdeck and Twitscoop.
And hashtags.
You'll all be required to find FIVE things you could use Twitter for.
This has some of the same ones but more.
Or some other 2012 thing?
Because the improbable is happening.
And, indeed, for next week, you must all have Twitter accounts and have used them and have learned about Tweetdeck and Twitscoop.
And hashtags.
You'll all be required to find FIVE things you could use Twitter for.
This has some of the same ones but more.
The proverbial this and that
Only Courtney would have found this, but here is the website referenced in this research paper. (And here is the support group for non-profit sites.)
The thing about MyMissourian is that there's a friendliness we might like to preserve and/or copy, even if we acknowledge that the site is too random. The look and feel kind of reaches (come of) the people. Read Courtney's meditation on content, especailly her interesting assertion that online content if often presumed "alternative."
Kevin tackled the Sports question.
Blink: How about that first impression?
Here's Allison.
Courtney has a few she likes.
Mfitz cruised the Webbys. Good idea.
John cites a few sources for thoughts about design. He likes simple and clean and useable.
And this post from Lisa suggests that, in terms of courting millennials, John may be right.
Comments and interaction:
I'm sort of worried about Dan. In this post, he actually embraces the viewpoint of online culture. It's also a very well done overview of the interactivitiy question.
Jess shows you what a blogback looks like.
Very nice post by Lisa on commenting policies.
I like Matt Dwyer's idea of tying in blogs by subject.
The thing about MyMissourian is that there's a friendliness we might like to preserve and/or copy, even if we acknowledge that the site is too random. The look and feel kind of reaches (come of) the people. Read Courtney's meditation on content, especailly her interesting assertion that online content if often presumed "alternative."
Kevin tackled the Sports question.
Blink: How about that first impression?
Here's Allison.
Courtney has a few she likes.
Mfitz cruised the Webbys. Good idea.
John cites a few sources for thoughts about design. He likes simple and clean and useable.
And this post from Lisa suggests that, in terms of courting millennials, John may be right.
Comments and interaction:
I'm sort of worried about Dan. In this post, he actually embraces the viewpoint of online culture. It's also a very well done overview of the interactivitiy question.
Jess shows you what a blogback looks like.
Very nice post by Lisa on commenting policies.
I like Matt Dwyer's idea of tying in blogs by subject.
From the reader standpoint
So, let's say I am the hypothetical reader who really cares about the political and governmental business of the state of Connecticut. It's Monday morning. I'm ready to begin my week. What do I want?
I probably want to know what got said on those Sunday morning state news shows that nobody watches. I want to know any interesting gossip and little stories I can amuse my colleagues with. I want to know if any news broke over the weekend in any venue. Above all, I want my snapshot to be comprehenensive. I want to look at one thing that doesn't leave anything out.
I some ways, my best shot right now is this non-organized impossible-to-search fairly new thing.
But it's not really what I want.
What I want does not exist right now.
I probably want to know what got said on those Sunday morning state news shows that nobody watches. I want to know any interesting gossip and little stories I can amuse my colleagues with. I want to know if any news broke over the weekend in any venue. Above all, I want my snapshot to be comprehenensive. I want to look at one thing that doesn't leave anything out.
I some ways, my best shot right now is this non-organized impossible-to-search fairly new thing.
But it's not really what I want.
What I want does not exist right now.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday night
One group wants to give multiple presentations. I guess that's OK with me. You will also have time to huddle at the start of the evening.
Take me out...
Have any of you thought/talked about putting in a carefully targeted sports component? Not game coverage but some kind of niche commitment to a watchdog role. I guess this would focus mainly on UConn, a big time sports program where, I think it could be argued, the paid press doesn't really like to poke around all that much, so that the big story of the year -- before the Jasper Howard case -- was broken by Yahoo! Sports.
During the Calhoun-Krayeske run-in, the sports press largely bought Calhloun's claim about $12 million without even asking for proof. Other non-sports reporters had to go in and dig up the numbers.
And so on.
Maybe there's a vacuum.
During the Calhoun-Krayeske run-in, the sports press largely bought Calhloun's claim about $12 million without even asking for proof. Other non-sports reporters had to go in and dig up the numbers.
And so on.
Maybe there's a vacuum.
The CDA
New media people spend a lot of time thinking about the comment issue. A lively comment thread at the end of an article drives up readership and create a sense of intensity. In a model that's working pretty well, people get excited about the comments, which become almost a second part of the story.
But there's another, slighty darker, part of all this. A law passed back in 1996 holds publishers harmless for just about anything that appears on one of those threads. In fact, those comments are basically considered not to have been published. They are not the act of a publisher in the same sense that a publisher publishes a letter to the editor. Which means that if you want your comment sections to turn into an insane sewer, you can let that happen and probably never have to pay the piper.
So the trend in mainstream publishing is to let those comments flow up onto the site without any pre-screening and then maybe fix them -- maybe -- later. The downside is that this kind of environment will scare some readers away. One solution is to interact with the commenters. There's a huge amount of related content about comments up at Poynter because they've been such a problem.
If I were starting a new site -- maybe not one with the current personality of CNP -- I would consider premoderating all comments but then having a segregated section -- maybe call it The Inferno -- where anybody could say anything. Enter at your peril.
But there's another, slighty darker, part of all this. A law passed back in 1996 holds publishers harmless for just about anything that appears on one of those threads. In fact, those comments are basically considered not to have been published. They are not the act of a publisher in the same sense that a publisher publishes a letter to the editor. Which means that if you want your comment sections to turn into an insane sewer, you can let that happen and probably never have to pay the piper.
So the trend in mainstream publishing is to let those comments flow up onto the site without any pre-screening and then maybe fix them -- maybe -- later. The downside is that this kind of environment will scare some readers away. One solution is to interact with the commenters. There's a huge amount of related content about comments up at Poynter because they've been such a problem.
If I were starting a new site -- maybe not one with the current personality of CNP -- I would consider premoderating all comments but then having a segregated section -- maybe call it The Inferno -- where anybody could say anything. Enter at your peril.
Eat your broccoli; read your tofu
Interesting two-parter from Sally, who's already thinking about what to do when the money runs out.
Politics and government used to be the meat and potatoes of journalism. Now, says Sally, it's more like a vegetable we need but don't always want. But, says Sally, there may be ways to deliver the product so that the people who DO care will be comfortable with micropayments.
Politics and government used to be the meat and potatoes of journalism. Now, says Sally, it's more like a vegetable we need but don't always want. But, says Sally, there may be ways to deliver the product so that the people who DO care will be comfortable with micropayments.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
As I organize my thoughts
Somehow, I can't let go of the idea that a citizen journalism component is a good idea. One that emphasizes training.
What if we did have a Franken-Coleman style recount here? Wouldn't it be great to have trained citizen journalists who could watch and film every turn of the cards, every chad?
Because citizen journalism can be a horrible, nauseating thing.
And it's important that it NOT be.
What if we did have a Franken-Coleman style recount here? Wouldn't it be great to have trained citizen journalists who could watch and film every turn of the cards, every chad?
Because citizen journalism can be a horrible, nauseating thing.
And it's important that it NOT be.
Also little to do with this week but ...
Esquire is trying out an "augmented reality" edition. This just doesn't look like something that's going to work with its readers, and note that you actually have to hold up a print version of the magazine to the webcam to begin your fantastic voyage.
Resources
I'm just pulling together some resources for you guys, because I'm lonely, because I'm not in a work group.
1. This seems like a lot of the stuff Paz is already thinking about, which -- we think -- may or may lean a little heavily on geeking out about government.
2. This is a not-very-jazzy-looking site possibly similar to the Paz-Mirror. One topic we did not cover was relationship to the blogosphere. Note their blogroll which links out to non-professional bogs.
3. This is the Rolls Royce of non-profit independent news. Note the "Steal Our Stories" tab at the top.
4. The New Mexico site is part of this. Why can't any of these look better?
1. This seems like a lot of the stuff Paz is already thinking about, which -- we think -- may or may lean a little heavily on geeking out about government.
2. This is a not-very-jazzy-looking site possibly similar to the Paz-Mirror. One topic we did not cover was relationship to the blogosphere. Note their blogroll which links out to non-professional bogs.
3. This is the Rolls Royce of non-profit independent news. Note the "Steal Our Stories" tab at the top.
4. The New Mexico site is part of this. Why can't any of these look better?
Friday, November 13, 2009
How's it going?
I thought I'd leave you work groups alone for a few days.
As you prepare your reports and blog about your work, do be sure to look around, do research and cite (as in link to) your findings.
One thing you may find helpful is to link to other similar models doing something well.
As you prepare your reports and blog about your work, do be sure to look around, do research and cite (as in link to) your findings.
One thing you may find helpful is to link to other similar models doing something well.
Monday, November 09, 2009
A little bit of this and a little bit of that
As several of you discovered, Jeff Jarvis is one of the go-to guys on this whole topic.
The Pay Model. Sally does not think the paid content question is resolved.
Here is how it gets argued out.
Lisa worries that the generosity model is too unstable.
Push and pull: how do you get audience and engagement?
That's mentioned, a bit in this post from Jess. I think it;s right that social skills become more important.
Video?
Comments and other citizen participation.
Aesthetics. Which contribute to the blink factor. And the feel and personality.
Content:
John wonders what, exactly, people care about.
Sally says there should be some way to fund journalism that is not sexy.
Tools?
MFitz found this cool town news aggregator, so I plugged Jess's town into it.
And Jess found this, which has more to do with tools and collaboration.
MDwyer wonders if CNP should work collaboratively
I think Courtney A. is right that this is where the term hylo comes from .
Matt worries that PR is the new journalism.
The Pay Model. Sally does not think the paid content question is resolved.
Here is how it gets argued out.
Lisa worries that the generosity model is too unstable.
Push and pull: how do you get audience and engagement?
That's mentioned, a bit in this post from Jess. I think it;s right that social skills become more important.
Video?
Comments and other citizen participation.
Aesthetics. Which contribute to the blink factor. And the feel and personality.
Content:
John wonders what, exactly, people care about.
Sally says there should be some way to fund journalism that is not sexy.
Tools?
MFitz found this cool town news aggregator, so I plugged Jess's town into it.
And Jess found this, which has more to do with tools and collaboration.
MDwyer wonders if CNP should work collaboratively
I think Courtney A. is right that this is where the term hylo comes from .
Matt worries that PR is the new journalism.
Old v. new
Kevin argues that the form is not as important as the content and that the form need not dictate the content. Online journalism, if it's done right, need not be inferior. Kasey is not so sure. Aren't there's certain kinds of journalism that just will not get done if you don't have the bedrock of old school journalism? Lisa -- with some interesting links -- says not dying but morphing.
One key question for us and for Paz is: what do we mean by "done right?"
One key question for us and for Paz is: what do we mean by "done right?"
Texas news project
Just in time for Paz and CNP comes the impressive Texas Trib.
As Borat would sat, "We like!"
One of their goals (promise/bargains?) is a tight focus.
MFitz reports that Seattle has more of an informal fusion system.
As Borat would sat, "We like!"
One of their goals (promise/bargains?) is a tight focus.
MFitz reports that Seattle has more of an informal fusion system.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
What has been tried and will be tried
Very cool post by Kasey. It leads nicely into our discussion of CNP.
Work Groups, re-posted
Another must read. Especially because it references Mark Pazniokas who will be with us Monday night. After we talk to Paz you will be divided into three work groups to begin working on strategy for a project like CNP. You will set up a contact process, pick a leader and make a plan to work during the following week. You might as well sit together Monday night.
This group is intentionally tilted a little toward old school and print, because I want that sensibility explored
Courtney A. Dan Kasey Alyssa David Ernie
Intentionally tilted toward tech
Kevin Greg Courtney C. Mfitz John Sheila
Intentionally designed as a group likely to work on tech/legacy content fusion
Jess Sally Justina Lisa Matt Dwyer Allison
This group is intentionally tilted a little toward old school and print, because I want that sensibility explored
Courtney A. Dan Kasey Alyssa David Ernie
Intentionally tilted toward tech
Kevin Greg Courtney C. Mfitz John Sheila
Intentionally designed as a group likely to work on tech/legacy content fusion
Jess Sally Justina Lisa Matt Dwyer Allison
Friday, November 06, 2009
Must reads
This site is connected to the wiki book Matt D. was talking about last week.
I'm going to enjoy playing with the associated links.
And -- typical -- Courtney A. has found a lot of links to sites that help us understand the hylo concepts. Reading through the post and clicking on the links is MANDATORY.
Thenb, when you think about CNP, realize it is in some way the opposite. It's not zealous amateurs grabbing a tool. It's old school pros looking for a tool that might allow them to continue practicing their craft.
I'm going to enjoy playing with the associated links.
And -- typical -- Courtney A. has found a lot of links to sites that help us understand the hylo concepts. Reading through the post and clicking on the links is MANDATORY.
Thenb, when you think about CNP, realize it is in some way the opposite. It's not zealous amateurs grabbing a tool. It's old school pros looking for a tool that might allow them to continue practicing their craft.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
One stone. Many birds.
If you click on all the links in this post, you will get a tour of what has been and what will be the state of online CT news experiments. Many difference between old school and new.
Nothing to do with this week's work, but ...
I haven't introduced Twitter yet because I'm kind of pacing the rate of adoption for people like Dan and Lisa -- Techno-Resisters! Anyway, I kind wish they showed more of the Jungian conversation here. And Jess ties in some other older material. But actually, new media like CNP will have to figure out how (or whether) to incorporate Twitter. So maybe it IS relevant.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The Times covers HL
This is how it looked to them earlier this year.
I wrote about it and managed to irritate some of them.
I wrote about it and managed to irritate some of them.
Patch and more
If you get interested in new hyperlocal news models, this is a good podcast about it.
Election Day
Just write a little something about your experience, if you have one. It doesn't have to be much.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Hyperlocal...and more
Kevin asked a great question Monday night. Noting that legacy media companies have downsized, he speculated that new models would rise up. "Where are all these journalists going to go?" he asked. Next week, you will get one answer when one or more people from the Connecticut News Project vist our class. It's a nice opportunity for us, because not much is known, officially, about this undertaking. So one of your jobs is to prepare a series of questions for CNP.
Look at Patch.com. A citizen journalist or blogger cannot easily travel through physical space, not the way he or she can through cyberspace. Can't get on the Obama press plane or go to Aghanistan. But most of us move pretty easily through the physical space of where we live, our little town. The thing about Patch is that it sometimes seems a little boring. The election in Darien, has gone nuts. But would you know that, looking at the home page?
So pretend you're a hyperlocal reporter, and record Election Day in your town on your blog, at least as you experience it.
Look at Patch.com. A citizen journalist or blogger cannot easily travel through physical space, not the way he or she can through cyberspace. Can't get on the Obama press plane or go to Aghanistan. But most of us move pretty easily through the physical space of where we live, our little town. The thing about Patch is that it sometimes seems a little boring. The election in Darien, has gone nuts. But would you know that, looking at the home page?
So pretend you're a hyperlocal reporter, and record Election Day in your town on your blog, at least as you experience it.
Meetup
One thing Shirky kind of overlooks is the shift in most of these platforms to at least a certain level of alienation and paranoia. I don't know the whole history of Meetup, but look where things are by 2005.
This was part of a switch from free to paid. I think Skirky sould say this is another example of changing the bargain. Or violating it.
Then there was The Purge.
This was part of a switch from free to paid. I think Skirky sould say this is another example of changing the bargain. Or violating it.
Then there was The Purge.
You, Crowdsourcing
Dan thinks we could have crowd sourced the whole book.
Courtney wonders if we are all historians now. I'll let her elaborate.
The question at the end of this Kasey post is a great one. (and thank you, Jess and Sheila for commenting.)
Jess is mulling the nature of free effort. Some of the examples of crowdsourcing here are interesting to contemplate.
Courtney has found a new thinker she likes. She studies the ways people communicate. Interestingly, Jess has a story that kind of syntheiszes that thinking.
This is Shirky (via Courtney) on the dark side of crowdsourced movements. It DOES seem as though boycotts are a natural fit with crowdsourcing. I have some ideas about building, instead.
Kasey knows Meetup. And likes it.
Actually, one of these quotes cited by M. Dwyer is one I'm not sure I agree with. I think Jess has the same problem I do. And it wasn't just the white bicycles either.
Sheila is not sure she believes the old media will be Shirkianly obsolete. Neither is Jess. And Lisa is intrigued by the whole definition question. One thing we learned, thanks to Jess, is that Shirky is not sanguine about it. Not dancing on the grave at all.
Lisa gives the subject a second look. I like the phrase "nascent phase of mass amatuerization."
Greg, on stolen phones. What makes something go viral?
Courtney wonders if we are all historians now. I'll let her elaborate.
The question at the end of this Kasey post is a great one. (and thank you, Jess and Sheila for commenting.)
Jess is mulling the nature of free effort. Some of the examples of crowdsourcing here are interesting to contemplate.
Courtney has found a new thinker she likes. She studies the ways people communicate. Interestingly, Jess has a story that kind of syntheiszes that thinking.
This is Shirky (via Courtney) on the dark side of crowdsourced movements. It DOES seem as though boycotts are a natural fit with crowdsourcing. I have some ideas about building, instead.
Kasey knows Meetup. And likes it.
Actually, one of these quotes cited by M. Dwyer is one I'm not sure I agree with. I think Jess has the same problem I do. And it wasn't just the white bicycles either.
Sheila is not sure she believes the old media will be Shirkianly obsolete. Neither is Jess. And Lisa is intrigued by the whole definition question. One thing we learned, thanks to Jess, is that Shirky is not sanguine about it. Not dancing on the grave at all.
Lisa gives the subject a second look. I like the phrase "nascent phase of mass amatuerization."
Greg, on stolen phones. What makes something go viral?
Print and stuff
Some of you will enjoy this ode to print. The part at the bottom about the page of paper and highlighter will especially please Courtney A. and Dan.
But print culture struggles with digital culture.
My question to you is this: Assuming that the first link is correct, it still seems imperative that any print operation adopt some Shirkyan ideas. What changes should it make, based on what you read in the book?
I will tell some stories tonight about print vs. digital.
Re-thinking Shirky, it seems to me that one of the issues -- re-self-publishing -- is the elimination of guesswork about what people care about. I will explain tonight.
But print culture struggles with digital culture.
My question to you is this: Assuming that the first link is correct, it still seems imperative that any print operation adopt some Shirkyan ideas. What changes should it make, based on what you read in the book?
I will tell some stories tonight about print vs. digital.
Re-thinking Shirky, it seems to me that one of the issues -- re-self-publishing -- is the elimination of guesswork about what people care about. I will explain tonight.
The Bald Truth
Jessica is all over this book. She always finds relevant videos.
So does Kasey.
Make sure you check in with Courtney who found, among other things, a different video of Shirky.
So does Kasey.
Make sure you check in with Courtney who found, among other things, a different video of Shirky.
The Rise of a New Leisure Class
The chapter on the Geohegan case in the Boston Archdiocese made me think, oddly enough, about the whole theory about coffee and the Enlightenment. Shirky describes a change from 1992 to 2002 mainly in terms of technology. But what other, underyling conditions must be in place?
The After-life
Only marginally related to Shirky but ... read this and ask yourself about every possible manifestation of your own online identity. Think about the parts you regard as private or expressions of your self. Then imagine what would or wouldn't happen to them after your death.
This is the go-to site on the subject. Digital Beyond also contemplates, interestingly, the value of online disclosures as sources for future research. We live in a world of millions on Mary Sillimans.
This is the go-to site on the subject. Digital Beyond also contemplates, interestingly, the value of online disclosures as sources for future research. We live in a world of millions on Mary Sillimans.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The future of me?
Obviously, I am very interested in Chapter 3.
Shirky argues that professional journalists are like scribes -- that their skill set and very identity are sliding toward meaninglessness. Do you agree? Why or why not? (Hint: the writer in this link seems not to have absorbed the Shirkian message.)
It's OK. You don't have to protect me.
This article is outstanding. We're going to need it as we go along in the weeks to come.
How many people in class have iPhones?
Shirky argues that professional journalists are like scribes -- that their skill set and very identity are sliding toward meaninglessness. Do you agree? Why or why not? (Hint: the writer in this link seems not to have absorbed the Shirkian message.)
It's OK. You don't have to protect me.
This article is outstanding. We're going to need it as we go along in the weeks to come.
How many people in class have iPhones?
Flickr
I'd be willing to bet that some of you have far more experience using Flickr than I do.
I like Shirky's concept of abandoning any hope for managerial oversight of photographers and instead creating tools for the self-synchronization of otherwise latent groups.
I've been thinking about that a lot and about what its impact would be for professional journalists and other professional photographers. Some have tried to collaborate with Flickr. What are your experiences and your thoughts.
I like Shirky's concept of abandoning any hope for managerial oversight of photographers and instead creating tools for the self-synchronization of otherwise latent groups.
I've been thinking about that a lot and about what its impact would be for professional journalists and other professional photographers. Some have tried to collaborate with Flickr. What are your experiences and your thoughts.
A Lott more
Please read this, if only because it fleshes out the Trent Lott story in the book. (One of the lesson of the Web and books, I gess, is that no story is ever really finished.)
Do not shirk Shirky!!!
I hope you have been reading Shirky all week. I'm going to start offering some supportive materials here, including, for Chapter One, the infamous website itself. If you read down the bottom links, it's kind of funny the ways he is pissed off at Wikipedia and competitive with the dog poop girl. He is mentioned here. So is she. (I think one of the things WP is doing is categorize misc. stuff.) Worth reading vis a vis our topic right now.
It's sort of karmically weird, but the particular device that was stolen turned out to have a subsequent history.
The sidekick crash was big news and created other side dramas.
I keep coming back to what Courtney has written about the question: to what degree does all this kind of data -- stored elsewhere -- represent a kind of alternate consciousness? Maybe that's why we need new narratives about what happens to it.
It's sort of karmically weird, but the particular device that was stolen turned out to have a subsequent history.
The sidekick crash was big news and created other side dramas.
I keep coming back to what Courtney has written about the question: to what degree does all this kind of data -- stored elsewhere -- represent a kind of alternate consciousness? Maybe that's why we need new narratives about what happens to it.
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