Disqus - Latest Comments for Sean Garrett

Re: Kleiner Perkins hires the Monk

Sean Garrett — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 04:53:41 -0000

I read dozens of blog posts a day, but for whatever reason this one struck me as a great example of why you can get better, more interesting context quicker from a well-written blog than a rote news item written by (even) the same author in the morning paper.

Re: Why Silicon Valley needs to go to Washington

Sean Garrett — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 05:57:35 -0000

My firm works with TechNet so take this comment with that grain of salt...

The reality is that there is more engagement by Silicon Valley companies than ever in Washington. There are innumerable trade groups; many ad hoc efforts and countless individual lobbying efforts.

And, TechNet is taking a lead and working with others on immigration issues, R&D funding, giving greater priority to math and scien Point well taken.ce education, support for an expansion of eHealth technology, greater broadband deployment, etc.

There also are good numbers of events with policymakers for political candidates put on by TechNet and other tech groups every month.

The irony is that six or seven years ago, the industry was accused of being all big political talk and pronouncements and of having little actionable substance in day-to-day Washingon happenings. Now, lots is happening behind the scenes in DC and the hard work of policy enagagement is getting done, but perhaps we need to do a better job in highlighting this and putting into a big picture context to create even more support and involvement from other companies (especially newer ones).

There's a whole new generation of tech companies that shouldn't have to go through the same policy baptismal process as the companies of 1997 did.

Re: The 53,651 Meme — and the Silicon Valley geek echo chamber

Sean Garrett — Tue, 16 May 2006 12:18:13 -0000

99.99% of a the world: "What's a meme?"

Re: Remarks at Conference on Social Networking & Child Protection

Sean Garrett — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:08:29 -0000

Thanks for posting. I'm curious. What was the reaction to your challenge?

Re: France Gets Tough on (Documenting) Violence

Sean Garrett — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:26:26 -0000

somehow, the IDG story has all the markings of selective editing that might make this proposed law seem worse than it really is. (not that happy slapping rules in their own right aren't misguided).

Re: Techno Bashing

Sean Garrett — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:30:59 -0000

listen to Plastikman's "Consumed" ten times in a row and then get back to me. You either will be a techno convert or you will pull a Clockwork Orange.

Re: How to taunt a journalist

Sean Garrett — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:01:47 -0000

spend as much time with Dan as possible, Robert. He's one of the best in the industry and, as you seemingly have already learned, he shares a keen interest in the intersection of technology and politics.

Re: If Campaigns are conversations?

Sean Garrett — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:53:06 -0000

wow. it's january 2007. this is a 2008 presidential campaign. let's give the candidates some time to fully staff their campaigns and develop worthy "conversational" tools. I'd rather it be done right than rushed into with the flavor of the hour methodology.

Re: Chad Hurley in front of Congress … YouTubed

Sean Garrett — Fri, 11 May 2007 22:49:08 -0000

I've posted nearly all of the future of video congressional hearing in bite-sized, YouTubed chunks at our tech policy blog, The 463 (http://463.blogs.com).

(I posted the video on YouTube that you linked to above).

Very interesting hearing. Obviously the copyright issue dominated, but I predict that the content regulation issues might dominate future forums like this.

Re: Silicon Valley headed for political trouble?

Sean Garrett — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:34:58 -0000

there are organizations that represent the "tech industry" in DC. TechNet being one of the most notable. (They are 10 years old and founded by Chambers, Doerr, Barksdale, etc).

however, it is true that the Web 2.0 crowd (for lack of the better term) are still primarily playing in their own policy sandboxes. Soon, I am sure that there will be groups representing the interests of online video companies, social networking firms, behavioral marketers, etc.

But, as is this industry's nature, it will take a forceful kick in the pants before this happens.

TechNet didn't get started until Bill Lerach (now in jail) started suing half the valley on flimsy shareholder lawsuits. The industry needed a vehicle to fight these suits in Congress, and voila.

TechNet (and AEA, ITAA, etc) have enjoined some battles of the new guard's behalf in state capitols (which are equally important as DC), but for whatever reason, it has mostly been the "think tanks" like the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Progress and Freedom Foundation and others who have taken on issues that impact 2.0+.

Please note that there is an important distinction between getting engaged in tech policy and being a techie that gets involved with politics. But, I can save that for another comment.

btw, my firm communications consultancy with a specialization in tech policy. And, I blogs on the issues.

Re: Online Video No Threat To TV, YouTube Tells Congress; Cuban Stresses Need For Net Neutrality

Sean Garrett — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:19:49 -0000

I've posted nearly all of the hearing in bite-sized chunks at our tech policy blog, The 463. (http://463.blogs.com)

Re: Save The Date: EconSM 2008 Conference: April 29th At Skirball Center, LA

Sean Garrett — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:42:04 -0000

I'm looking forward to making a return visit to this conference, too. And, I hope that the public policy issues that will significantly impact the economics of social media are explored.