The New Media Discussion

[Wolfy]

So some of you know about the issue some of us have with new media groups such as the Nevada New Media thing, and some of us have already weighed in on it. The issue is fairly simple to me. If your goal is to coalesce a movement around new media, social media and online communities in nevada, wouldn't you start here in this forum? Wouldn't you engage the local bloggers? wouldn't you consult with the experts who already have a forum up, running and vibrant?

Having attended the New Media Expo in Las Vegas last August I can tell you that the only good presentations were the ones which focused on person experience, stories, creativity and craft. The ones that dealt with tactics, strategy, and tools were boring, salesy and lame. That's what i see is missing from most new media, social media groups, blogs, videos, podcasts and what not i come across. You learn more by doing and paying attention to what others are doing well.

-M

[bobc]

I think a point that Wolfy alludes to, which has been raised by others, me included, over and over and over, is that the founders of this effort appear to have little interaction with the local community in these forums and then come out and anoint themselves positions of decision makers of another new and improved forum to discuss these trends as if these discussions were never occurring in the first place.

It's a point that to me that is the crux of the issue and one that has yet to be addressed.

[Donica Mensing]

Hi, Bob --

Getting to the crux of the issue is good, seeing the volume that's been written about it. Here's the crux as I see it:

Is the idea of a new media/social media organization for northern Nevada a good idea or bad idea?

If it's a good idea, then let's get together and talk about how to make it work the best for all of us. That's the point of the summit. No one has been anointed. This is just a catalyst for a group conversation. Yes, many conversations have been going on, here, on blogs, in hallways, in bars, on Twitter, on Facebook, in classrooms, in boardrooms. Why not support a coming together for all of us?

If it's a bad idea, then ignore it.

If the crux of the issue, for you, is that it didn't launch on Reno Baby! then let's fix that. We can make this work if the idea is sound and useful. If it's bad and unnecessary, it will die on its own, don't you think? Why not come to the Summit and make your argument, either way?

Donica

[bobc]

"Is the idea of a new media/social media organization for northern Nevada a good idea or bad idea?"

While I think this is a red herring question, which still doesn't address the criticism, I see a valid need for social media 'how-to' and 'why' information in this community regardless of what form it takes. I'm not so sure an organization is necessary -- too often these kinds of groups end up preaching to the choir -- but a gathering of like-minded folks certainly can be a good thing especially if marketed toward those who may benefit from a discussion and who currently are not a part of it but, perhaps, are curious.

"Why not support a coming together for all of us?"


I'm in full support and believe I've said as much. The reason some of us are so passionate about this issue is precisely because we are advocates of these technologies, despite our many reservations of them.

"Why not come to the Summit and make your argument, either way?"


I intend to.

[Elisa Maser]

"That's the point of the summit. No one has been anointed. This is just a catalyst for a group conversation. "

Love this ENTIRE conversation....

And I think having the conversation in the messy arena of the new media has been very productive ... and engaging more and more folks.

Not sure the summit (with its sponsors and panels and one day only) format can match this.

Summit = old school?

[bobc]

To Dave (not Wolfy, I hate how NIng parses these discussions out),

That's one interpretation (arguably incorrect) of anarchy. There's a body of literature and study of the philosophy which is far more involved than what can be delved into here. There are historic examples -- arguably The 'Net (to use an archaic term) could be considered 'anarchy' -- mostly notably being our tribal/band heritage from which we evolved (civilization is awfully young, comparatively, the 'Net even younger). That's not to say there's an absence of rules, morals, codes, ethics and so on -- like on the 'Net -- but the comparison to anarchy, historic or otherwise, would likely make for a good scholarly treatise.

This, a few years old, is a good start:

http://www.amazon.com/Limited-Wants-Unlimited-Means-Hunter-Gatherer...

Sahlins' work was pioneering too. I've never read J. Zerzan's work but it might be worth a look, even though the guy strikes me as a bit creepy.

[Don Vetter]

Agree with Elisa...this whole dialogue has been productive...it would take a pretty good "summit" to top this engagement.

[Mike Jamieson]

New media also provides the potential for dark and dangerous effects from the spreading of pathological memes. I can give many examples where an unbelievable number of people have become very sick, very delusional, and even a danger to self and/or others. Also, the potential for exploitation and manipulation on a much wider scale has now been enabled.

That's the flip side of all the great and positive things associated with "new media".

[Mike Jamieson]

I just checked http://outside.in/Reno_NV and "new media" is now swamping the RGJ (whose articles are all at the bottom of the listing). Here's whose articles showed up (in order):

Holland Project (3 articles)
Reno Realty Blog (3)
Ryan Jerz (3)
Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV..Living and Relocating Guide (2)
Zeke Says So (2)
Terri Patraw (1)
Dullard Mush (3)
Reno Rambler (2)
Reno Baby! (2)
RGJ (7)

[Mike Jamieson]

I'm pretty sure my blog will soon show up, once I start covering the flood of UFO reports sweeping Reno.
Works everytime!!

[Ryan Jerz]

Terri Patraw is a prolific and phenomenal blogger/inspiration to everyone. How I'm ahead of her I have no idea.

[Wolfy]

that list doesn't include my blog post so i therefore dismiss it as tripe and biased.

-M

[Don Vetter]

I've been intrigued by the Nevada New Media Discussion...Its obvious who is doing it is as important as what is being done. ( I think some of the players in the Nevada New Media thing are creating some doubts/concerns which comes from their organizations' reputation and/or brand) -- My New Year's resolution was to devote more brain cells to the Advertising/Journalism/PR 2.0 genres -- and so far I'm convinced that much of the old school applies to the new school. It's just a different pipeline (s) -- a pipeline that is both more broad, and more direct. Which is very cool, very creative and incredibly powerful. I've marked the "summit" on my calendar