Suddenly Blogging

I am working on several projects that inspire me to return to this blogging platform. 

Though, the ultimate reason is that I miss sharing thoughts and hearing feedback from the world.

At this point, I feel like a digital media dinosaur as the next generation of brilliant, naturally digital kids take hold of their entrepreneurial leanings and invent things I can barely comprehend.  I am not talking about Facebook.  I am talking about the next, best, and better.

I recently interviewed a seasoned M&A executive in the biotech field and she said "in no time, small companies learn to behave like big companies... and all efficiencies and acceptance of risk is lost."

I can't help but agree with her because, in such a very short time, I have begun to see the same behavior in digital media companies.

On The Rebound

I really can't call myself a blogger any longer as I have been so very neglectful of Dazework.com and I sincerely wonder what audience I have lingering, if any.

Still, if by Google fluke you find yourself here, let me re-introduce myself:

I've been digging away at Internet endeavors since 1999 and have yet to strike my dot-com gold.  Regardless, I persevere because few things are as fascinating to me as the individual's pursuit of digital happiness. Currently, I am hell bent on studying the intersection of digital media and social psychology as it applies to the modern world.

This morning, following reflection on recent miracles and tragedies that hit so very close to home, I have been asking myself how I use my public, digital platforms for my personal versus professional expression. 

*Photo used on Creative Common's license from Flickr user.

Just Touched Down in London Town

Well, my friends... it has been ages. I've mulling around the digital media scene in New York and hoping for some traction. Things have been active and inactive, but never uninteresting.

Regardless, I am still here, and I hope that you are still here.

Actually, I am really not here... I am there... here...

London. Ahem. LONDON!
w00t.

I will be here for a few weeks working on a fantastic project and making contacts and friends in the digital media scene. I'll also be heading to Paris for a few days, but for the most part, my home base will be London.

Say hello if you are local.

Tiny Victories

I stole this from someone far more brilliant than myself... but I cant help myself... tetris was my first digital addiction.... Enjoy!

Planet Camazotz

I love the Internet. 

I really do.

If the Internet were a rockstar...

I'd have a picture of it on my bedroom wall.

As a superfan, I tend to detest the sycophantic behavior of others just now getting hip to the coolness of the long-time object of my affection.

In particular, I feel the need to highlight a couple events within the current wrinkle in time market that has the Internet at the top of media conversations and on the tips of tongues:

The One Red Paperclip Guy:  In a move that once again proves how resourceful the Cannucks can be, clever Internet user Kyle MacDonald uses the Barter section of Craigslist to achieve his goal of trading one red paperclip for a house.  His dream is realized after exactly one year later on July 12, 2006 and, subsequently, Kyle is an Interlebrity (a transparent effort to help coin 'Internet Celebrity').

MySpace is #1:  For week ending July 11, 2006, MySpace.com beat out Yahoo.com (email) and Google.com (search) to be the number one visited website in the USA. Parent company FOX spreads the news in this article... er... press release.

So, what exactly is my issue? 

Well, we seem to keep realizing how adept the Internet is at connecting people when the core power of the Internet (that drives all else) has always been its ability to connect people. 

Buzz, spin, and pop-culture aside, the news about MySpace and the paperclip guy shouldn't shock and awe... but it does... which leads to my issue.

Let's do our best to think differently (not different, like Apple and just go out and get an iPod like the other bourgeoisie) and truly innovate beyond what we already see, use, and know. 

For digital media to persist beyond novelty, it must evolve.

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Dazework - Discussing digital media jobs and the digital generation at work

Digital Divide

Ending day two of MMTC's Access to Capital conference, I feel a certain sense of hope and doom as pro-social policy and corporate desires yet again seem in opposition.

I think most players within digital media are blissfully unaware of the power of the US government to regulate and control our information and communication sources. 

Considering the Internet is the holy grail of media, I think those of us who earn our living inventing and working in this space best start paying closer attention.

First, the issue of Internet access and usage in the US is the horse that must come before the cart... we cant build content for customers that cannot access it. 

Second, the ownership of media outlets and the ability of entrepreneurs to access capital to create new and competitive (niche) ventures will ultimately impact the content available to end-users and how relevant the content is to their lives and culture.

More to come... I am still learning...

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Dazework - Discussing digital media jobs and the digital generation at work

Access and Policy

I am headed to Washington DC for a few days to attend a conference on media access and telecom policy.

This particular conference focuses on lobbying and working with the FCC and the government's involvement in regulating the Internet, broadcast and cable media, and general secular communications.

"The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable."

The panel of speakers includes educators, financiers, leaders of cable TV and radio, and congressional representatives.

Hopefully I can share some insightful notes....

Web Shame

The Internet is a powerful tool for communication and content dissemination, there is no question.

This article from the Washington Post summarizes a few recent examples of how the "little guy" is using the Internet for self-empowerment and, ultimately, revenge.

I took notice of the article's conclusion at the end given by Center for Digital Democracy's Jeff Chester:

But even as these public-shaming campaigns continue to crop up, the well-oiled marketing machines of the targeted companies will overcome the negative publicity in the long run, he said.

"As the Internet becomes more ad-supported, it's questionable if consumers and users will have any real clout," he said. "Will a Fortune 500 company hear the sound of one angry blogger in the digital forest?"

It is a bit disarming to think that the Internet will be overrun by brands that already dominate the rest of our media outlets.   

For those of us whose livelihoods depend on its progression, it is generally good news to think of the Internet as the darling of Fortune 500 companies, but not when that success comes at the price of the customer experience. 

As a blogger, I am not sure I agree fully with Chester just yet, but I do see where the ad-supported models of the Internet chip away at free and objective speech. 

Still, I believe in the power of the Internet for communication... for one to one, one to many, and many to one.

Hobnobbing

I am hailing the official return of 'free-booze' digital media *creative networking events in NYC.

Last night I attended PaidContent's NYC Mixer, 2 drink tickets in-hand. 

The event was over-subscribed and even the organizers admit they dont want to party too much like 1999.

For me, the event was entirely fun and worthwhile.  I finally met a few email-contacts in person and ran into a few past and current candidates.  I also got to see some members from my digital media strategy and product hiring teams, and shamefully, spent much of the evening catching up with folks I already knew.

Digital media hobnobbing detractors aside, networking and flesh-pressing is always good - so congratukudos to the organizers.  Clink! Clink!

I have been using Paidcontent as a recruiting tool for some time now and admit that the team at ContentNext really have their fingers on the pulse of digital media.  So guys, please help us to keep it alive or, at least, alert us when it is dying.

Altogether, it was a healthy gathering of those deep within digital media who were curious about others deep within the space + a few sales guys. 

The event had its dose of 'big names' working the room in search of other 'big names,' but thankfully, in digital media, the next 'big name' is usually the no-name standing right next to you.

*Notice my mention yesterday of another networking event I attended recently... I even ran into a fellow double-attender.

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Dazework - Discussing digital media jobs and the digital generation at work

Ready for My Close-Up

I attended a great networking event last week in NYC that focused on aspiring filmmakers:

Come kick back with other film & media folk at this monthly after-work soiree promoting independent film. This event brings together individuals from film, fashion, television, print & online media for a night of drinks, networking and casual conversation.

I have a secret desire to be a "big-time-Hollywood-Producer," but until that dream is realized, I need to meet others who are also working the room.

I think 'creative networking' may be slightly more fun that 'business networking' because the focus is usually on finding contacts for collaboration rather than contacts for a transaction.

The team working over at Lazy Limabean really work hard to make the events successful:

Founded in March 2004, Lazy Limabean Film Magazine is a cooperative effort of people interested in furthering the exposure of indie filmmakers worldwide, who donate much of their time and effort to writing thoughtful, timely, and impactful editorials about the independent film industry. Lazy Limabean Film Magazine serves as a voice for emerging independent filmmakers & the independent film industry. For more information, go to www.lazylimabean.com

I will be attending future events with this group, not only because of my personal aspirations in the film world, but also because my interest stems from the close relationship that film making has to digital media production. 

As we push forward with technology, digital media solutions and digital cinematography are becoming a powerful force in Hollywood:

• Digital video allows for films to be shot faster, and for less money than film.
• Digital video, unlike film, does not need to be developed and can be played back and edited immediately after shooting. This can help in avoiding continuity errors.
• Digital video can record image and audio on the same media.
• Digital video cameras are smaller and lighter than film cameras.
• Digital video is recorded on cassettes or hard disk drives, which can hold considerably more footage and are cheaper than a ten or twenty minute film stock.
• Digital video is more sensitive than film, and usually requires less supplemental lighting.
• Most films are already edited on a digital system after the developed film stocks are converted to digital video. Film requires a lengthy telecine process to be converted to digital video.

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Dazework - Discussing digital media jobs and the digital generation at work