DISQUS

Conversations in this context are no longer happening by text only or as after event commentary. They can now happen as part of the event or broadcast itself through technologies like participatory podcasting. These technologies allow the audience (globally if you want it) to participate in and help to shape the actual event, show, or broadcast itself in the course of being made. Yes, it is scary, because it adds in all the same unknown audience factors that, say, talk radio has to deal with and vastly multiplies them. Essentially, it's all part of the slow evolution from one-way public broadcasting to truly interactive public media. Since there's no stopping that, the real question becomes how to deal with it.