DISQUS

In WWGD, Jeff talks about going to speak to a room full of newspaper industry colleagues. He was told not to say anything that would upset them. Well, they are upset now! I am amazed at how many people / industries choose to keep their heads in the proverbial sand. I've been in the tech industry for over 13 years, and I will tell you, I'm always betting on a future based on more technology, more innovation and CHANGE!

That's my secret to success. Let's all pool our money and go buy a newspaper.

Hi Whitney. Thanks for your thought provoking post. I read it early this AM and sent you a few twitters. Let me take a moment to expound on my thoughts (140 characters is definitely not enough for this one).

I just spent the last three days @BlogHer. It was a great experience. I am working on my review in the next day, so be sure to keep an eye out. As you know, I go to many tech conferences, and it was truly unique experience to be at one where the majority of attendees were women, not men. While there are a lot of mommy bloggers in attendance, the event itself spans multiple verticals. In fact, there was a great panel on women without children and how they navigate that identity in the business world and in the blogosphere. While that issues doesn't come up on InternetGeekGirl.com specifically, I can tell you that as a 37 single woman, it comes up in my personal and professional life BIG TIME. That's a perfect example of how BlogHer content uniquely spoke to me both as a woman and as a worker (which is a goal of the show imho).

I totally get that your comments are not directly at BlogHer. And my response is not meant to be a defense of the event (or any conference). [NOTE - i'm not affiliated with blogher in any way]. I would merely like to argue for the VALUE of identifying as a women blogger.

"Because no matter how you slice it, a qualifier is a limit."

Some people find qualifiers to also be the building blocks of community, and I don't find that limiting. Of course, all communities have their draw backs, but the benefits usually outweigh the costs. Otherwise, why be a member?

My first reaction to your post was sadness. I feel I have let down the younger generation. This conversation we are having (as nate pointed out) is the basics of identity politics. I was deeply involved in that world early in my career. We used to argue about the word feminist. Well, it's basically the same argument, in a different context.

BTW - I AM A FEMINIST and always will be!

All I can say Whitney is that as woman in business (albeit 13 years older than you), I have seen this issue from all sides. I had many male and female mentors in my life. I do not solely identify myself with any one community, nor does my gender drive my career. I have always done exactly what I've wanted to in life, and always will.

For me, the bottom line is that I have benefited much more than I have given to the "cause." So many women have walked before me in biz and fighting for social justice. I never want to forget those women and I always want to encourage the younger generation of women to keep up the good fight and stick together!

It is great that your mentors pushed you to be the best you can be. No qualifier. I can assure you that if it weren't for their female colleagues and the way in which they pushed the limits and forged new ground.. you'd have no where to use your fabulous skills.

Women still struggle for equality across the board. Sexism is rampant in the business world. By continuing to identify together and help each other, we can only hope that girls 13 years young than you will have even more opportunity.

Play with the big boys all you want. I do! I love it. But I also know that by embracing the experience of being a woman blogger and sharing knowledge, content and experience with that community, I will play more effectively, and be more likely to achieve success!


As for @dingman's comment about a BlogHim. We have that already my friend - it's every other tech conference.

so - hope this makes some sense. I'm sitting in a coffee shop in San Fran and rushing from one big boy meeting to the next. :)

I'm a woman blogger. I'm a woman in business and I damn good at what I do.. regardless of what you call me.

Thanks Whitney.

Best,
Stephanie

Best of luck Sam in your new venture. Sounds awesome.

Engage.com (sponsors of Love 2.0 during web 2 expo week) is also a great site for singles and their matchmaking friends that groove on social networking. A general dating site with a web2 spin, I think they should be on the list.

cheers,
stephanie

I'm in. My whole life is about keeping good people close. really - what else matters? money, career success, big home, fancy car? NO -- means NOTHING! people are everything. success is defined by how much LOVE you share!!! that's it. thanks for the reminder!! as always - Namaste (the light in me honors the light in you).

Look forward to seeing a banner for InternetGeekGirl (the original brand) on your site! hee!

Live it, breathe it. do it!

I will bleed....

Stephanie Agresta's last blog post..SXSW Video Round Up: Lisa Nova - YouTube killed the TV Star!

Happy Birthday Wayne. hope it's a great day. enjoy and stop and smell the roses!!!

I'm with you. I enjoyed the straight talk Jason provided. I think that it is very difficult to argue with his simple premise: Consumers want and deserve value. Publishers and advertisers that are on the up and up should have no issues with that. My full review is here: http://www.internetgeekgirl.com

Cheers,
Stephanie

Jim inspired me to buy my flip. It is the most fun toy for geeks; the hard part is switching back and forth between stills and video. What's a social media girl to do?

Hello Robert. Thanks for this post. I was just talking to some friends today about jealousy (as a concept). I have to say - I don't get it! I am trained to listen for the phrase, "I'm so jealous..." To me - using that language is an immediate red flag for a lack of love and compassion. If someone uses that language - I know to steer clear of them! This may sound too touchy feely for some - but let me sum it up (Nike style): Don't be jealous - just do it yourself! You can make anything happen, if you really want it. When someone shares a great experience they've had - I say, "I'm so happy for you!!" At every moment we should strive for gratitude in our own experience and compassion for others.

To me... jealousy for the day-to-day experiences of others just seems like a major waste of energy! It's really just a reflection of deep insecurity with self. And .. while that may drive traffic and sell newspapers, it surely will not make you a happier, more content person. True success comes from inner security.

P.S. - I'm so happy you met Annie Leibovitz. How totally cool and amazing!

You should add performics to your list of networks, too.

Also maybe pepperjam network.

Hey Dave. This is great. This is like an uber version of those cool digital picture frames. :)

Happy Birthday Katrina. Chris - a lovely post. You are very lucky people. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday as well.

Cheers,
Stephanie

That is so sweet Jake. Happy birthday to the little one. Lots to be grateful for. Have a wonderful holiday!!

All the best,
Stephanie

OH my gosh.. she's born!! welcome to the world little Mary Hudson Harrelson. You are a very lucky little girl!

All the best to you and yours!

Cheers,
Stephanie

Great job Chris!! Did you write this on the plane back from Cali?

What an awesome idea - you are as prolific as ever!

Best,
Stephanie

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I try to do better as well. It is great to get reminders. I think 9/11 can be a day when we stop and think about how each of us can be more loving, more compassionate and have more gratitude.

All the best,
Stephanie
http://www.internetgeekgirl.com

Hello Robert. I have come across this too, with family, and even with some people inside the online marketing space. Overall, I think the answer is to be polite and educate as much as possible, as you have done. But - one must also be firm. People need to get with the program, and usually, if you take a few minutes to show them how easy it is, they move beyond resistance and can embrace the change. For my non-techy family members, I make more exceptions. But for business colleagues in the online marketing industry - I will make very little accommodations. If you want to know where I am and what I'm working on - well, read my blog, my twitter or get on Facebook. I'm out there. I think it is incumbent upon them to do some work to seek out the information. As I do for others I care about. Give to Receive! :)

Hi Jim. Thanks for the props. I love Steve's term - geek marketer, but I don't think it's a new phenomenon. I have had the words Internet Marketing or Online Marketing in my titles for the last 12 years.

There are plenty of great women in the field. I would point your readers to the W List. Check it out:
http://gpmb.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/the-w-list/

Have a great labor day. I see you are laboring as I am. :)

Enjoy some sunshine as well.

Best,
Stephanie

Karen and Dana -

I am so glad to have ContentRobot within the Stephanie Agresta Vendor Network. It has been a pleasure working with the both of you. You turned InternetGeekGirl into a destination blog for the industry. ContentRobot delivered excellent service and results. I look forward to offering this product to my clients and my contacts.

Regards,
Stephanie Agresta

Do you remember when Da Ali G show first started in early 2003? Some of the guests didn't know it was fake. They thought he was a real "journalist" from England. It was so funny - I recall sitting in my apartment on 50th between 8th and 9th in NYC, laughing uncontrolably.

Then - eventually - people caught on. And Ali G was still funny, but not quite as much b/c the guests gamed it.

Then - Sacha Baron Cohen did the same thing with Borat and real people (vs. celebrities and statesmen/women).

And it was funny, till people got mad. But.. many still laughed b/c some of it was funny.

I'm going to keep reading Fake Steve Jobs because the parody is wonderful. And I'm not going to focus much on the person behind it b/c it's a character, a brand and just entertainment! We'll see if it gets less funny...now that we all know.. but I hope not.

Chris - you are a true consensus builder. I wish I was there! (wherever you are). I appreciate all the good energy you put out into the universe. keep up the good work and send my regards to all of our european colleagues!

Cute sam. my mom's 70th BD was yesteray. She's computer-less. I've offered but she has no interest. My dad is pretty impressive to me though - he uses the internet to manage his life and business, and is wild about uploading pictures to share with the family. Good for your Mom - that is really cool!

Hello guys! What does it say that I'm responding to this at 10:30 pm EST? I have had a very productive day. :) First off, I'm not sure I have any truly innovative jewels here. I stick with the basics: daily, monthly and quarterly goal lists, perpetual optimizatinon of those lists, and ...well, something more touchy feely - I seem to know instinctively how to get tons of stuff done in short periods of time. It's part of my internal clock. Sometimes stress level gets high though. I will share a url for an interesting approach I heard about at web2.0 expo: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/

Tim Ferriss spoke and made a few interesting suggestions. He only checks email twice a day (which would be so sad for me and which would take away a major component of my life). :) and - he outsources as much as he can in his life. That I'm working on.

As a single woman who owns her own home and her own business, I have to balance personal and professional requirements on my own. No partner to help with household management - so for me, admin staff and my cleaning lady really help out a lot. I realize I don't have kids (that would require a whole new staff). For me, productivity is achieved by working hard and staying positive throughout the process!

Thanks Sam - and have fun playing. I think I should try that. :)