Disqus - Friends of peterhimmelman

Re: Freedom of conversation vs social responsibility.

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:37:28 -0000

Thank you for this great post. In the early days of the net, some sociologists feared that anonymous interactions would lead to the decline of civilization. Instead we are seeing accountability as a byproduct of community interaction. Through engagement, we are able to expand our knowledge circles, bring back dynamic social information and impact our "real" worlds- not a bad thing at all.

Re: What are social web sites?

Michael Sean Wright — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:27:16 -0000

Great post! Through Twitter and FriendFeed we're discovering information faster and the ability to "spread the fire" is much more efficient. But to answer your question, 'What are a social sites?' these are the ON Ramps- we feel safe going because we can see a trusted stream ahead, we have enough info to make a qualified decision to divert our direction to the source.

Re: louisgray.com: FriendFeed's Changing Tapestry of Users, Nine Months In

Michael Sean Wright — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:01 -0000

Louis- you shed light on what's beneath it all... humanity. I get the sense that these technologies did/ continue to bring you closer to your fellow enthusiasts/ thinkers. You have the awareness to mark the change and reflect on the positive aspect of widening the circle. I hope that the early voices will continue to speak forthright without the regard for audience acceptance/ popularity, there should still be a public outlet for honest reflections like this. Thank you for being an early guide and making your 'voice' clear through the clutter of the added noise.

Re: Escaping the echo chamber.

Michael Sean Wright — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:09:57 -0000

I will continue to look at the developments in social media to find the most efficient way to connect to engaging dialog. I try to be a student of social innovation as defined by the Young Foundation- http://www.youngfoundation.... As the novelty of the new message transport systems wear off the conversation will inevitably turn to inspiring readers/community to action. The channels of quick communication have, for too long, been clogged by enterprises forced to monetize their networks. Today I see an even platform of info flow developing. I know that information development costs to deploy, but it should never take me three clicks to get to it. We must remove the barriers from communal communication, encourage "best practices" and raise the bar on the conversation content for social media to become a real agent of change. Now what's this you were you saying about friendfeed, is there a conversation about ff somewhere?

Re: louisgray.com: FriendFeed Friday Tips #6: How To Determine Authorship

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:01:18 -0000

As always, an informative post. It is getting a little harder to track down the source as we add services like FriendFeed, etc. I'm still a little frustrated that we can't figure out a system to source link more clearly. It would be nice if aggregation sites like Technorati and Digg would find a way to list primary source so that when I see something linked to in FF or RSS Readers it would show a breadcrumb like trackback.

Your point seems to go along the line of responsible journalism in blogging. I enjoyed the Cranky Geeks Episode #124 (http://www.crankygeeks.com/... nice roundtable on accountability. We should all strive to a higher standard for responsible Blog Ethos. Updates, corrections and strike-throughs are examples of the writer actually caring about their audience.

Re: louisgray.com: Writing Once, Publishing Many Times, Makes Context Critical

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:39:58 -0000

Louis, I agree with you that it is getting harder to find the original source and context now that there are multiple broadcast points. This almost goes back to doing interviews for documentaries, trying to get the subject to rephrase the original question in their response. I would like to see someone come up with a "best practices" guide for this, your (Louis Gray) suggestion of trying to 'craft the signal around the noise' is terrific. It does take a little extra effort but if we truly care about the value of the 'content' then we should treat it so.

Kurt Vonnegut said it best, "Why should you examine your writing style with the idea of improving it? Do so as a mark of respect for your readers, whatever you're writing. If you scribble your thoughts any which way, your readers will surely feel that you care nothing about them. They will mark you down as an egomaniac or a chowderhead --- or, worse, they will stop reading you." (source= http://literature.sdsu.edu/...

Re: There’s dumb, then there’s Twitter Dumbâ¢

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:02:57 -0000

Michael Arrington @techcrunch had a good interview with Evan Williams about "sharing data streams." http://tinyurl.com/TC-Evans... I believe that they are now going to rely heavily on the Summize team to manage these issues. They seem to fear losing original traffic?

Re: louisgray.com: Is There A Way Back From Free?

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:17:08 -0000

Well done Colin, you have brought some light to this murky subject. I truly don't understand why Twitter would choke off the developers that are pushing usability to the next level, it seems foolish beyond belief. My first impression of the TC interview with Evan Williams was that he truly didn't understand the "burden" of the data streams. It is not a tax on their system when API's access the streams and re-push. I agree with you that the stream is their future financial model and they are being too cautious with control. Williams and Co. have a model, extensive access= pay. It is unfortunate that the developers who have worked so hard on bringing innovation to the table have now been pushed away.

Re: Who Do You Follow?

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:02:27 -0000

I love lists like these, it helps find diversified voices! I'll just add a few that are interesting to me- @ambermacarthur @leahculver @MarsPhoenix @buzztter_en some of the biggies- @louisgray @guykawasaki @leolaporte

@corvida - Thanks again for widening OUR Universe - @nicefishfilms (http://friendfeed.com/nicef...

Re: Who Do You Follow?

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:31:31 -0000

Ahh, indeed he was, but he's so nice, you have to follow him twice! I think @ambermacarthur was a duplicate as well, ok to make up for it- @michellegreer and @ilvdbch

Re: I Am The Guy Who Reads Your Blog and Never Leaves Comments (AKA The Lurker)

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:25:46 -0000

May your soul be cleansed! Your honesty in this post is refreshing, and reminds me that I too often "use" without giving back and contributing. Our input brings us new connections, I'm glad you came out from the shadows, so we could meet you. Today is a new day my friend- now go and do good!

Re: 70 fresh blogs for your Feed Reader c/- FriendFeed

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:08:46 -0000

Nice work, as always, Duncan. It is so nice to see a such a diverse universe of voices. I would also like to suggest incorporating http://feedly.com with your Google Reader, I find it makes the feeds come alive and increases interactivity with the content. I'm looking forward to discovering more voices through the list you were so kind to compile.

Re: Tech Blogging – Too Crowded? Too Hateful? No, Just Changing.

Michael Sean Wright — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:53:53 -0000

David, thank you for your post regarding the growth and change of tech blogging. Due to recent developments in readers like http://feedly.com I find myself reading around 36-40 tech/social media blogs on a regular basis, and the list continues to grow every week as more discoveries are made. I truly enjoy the diversified voices, the posts that bring something different to the noise and re-posts. In film we call it "voice" while there are a plethora of new directors everyday, those who succeed find their unique voice. You are exactly right- you put out quality and you'll get noticed. As the field becomes more crowded, the tendency might be to post what is "popular" but those that stick to their passions will still be around when the others jump to the next hot format. Todd Rundgren once said- "Don't adjust your music to the audience, adjust your audience to the music." I enjoy your voice and I'll stay tuned for the next composition.

Re: louisgray.com: The Talk About Rules for Social Following Is Getting Out of Hand

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:52:32 -0000

Louis, your post on the "Rules of Social Following" made me laugh and think. Being on the "bleeding edge" of social networking will undoubtedly cause a few nicks and scrapes here and there. I find that FriendFeed is similar to being at a real live social gathering (they do exist, honest.) When I find an interesting conversation with a group of people I listen for awhile (Subscribe.) When it gets a little too noisy or not very stimulating, I walk away for awhile (UnSubscribe.) Why would it be any different in a place where there are thousands of streams of discussions? I understand the need we all have for being heard, but the fun at FriendFeed is the listening. By the way you can follow me @ ____ (just kidding, of course!?)

Re: The Internet, Information And Changing The World

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:06:51 -0000

May this post ring out through the lands! Inspiring way to start the week.

"It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others."
Montaigne

Re: I’m Blogging This!

Michael Sean Wright — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:33:52 -0000

Write On!

'You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you've got something to say.'

F Scott Fitzgerald

Re: Television will be the first traditional media medium to fall

Michael Sean Wright — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:55:46 -0000

Duncan, very interesting post. I believe that "traditional" print newspapers will be the first to fall though. You correctly assert that newspapers are changing with the times and seem to be embracing the transition to online versions. In this transition it is important for editors to remember that the net is its own medium, and just shifting content will not be enough.

I also agree that radio will remain strong, especially with an aging demographic. Talk radio continues to lead the way here.

Television isn't quite dead yet, but the shift is on. I'm not quite ready to give up my big screen with DVR's personalization of programming. When the Sopranos ended on HBO the cancellations were staggering, it seems that people are just not as attached to the idea of television as they once were.

Re: Build up - do not tear down

Michael Sean Wright — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:23:46 -0000

Nicely said Mark, thank you for taking the time to post this!

Re: Goodbye FriendFeed

Michael Sean Wright — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:48:04 -0000

You will be missed, you have a great voice on FF. I found your blog through FriendFeed and enjoyed your pithy comments. Go if you must, but don't forget us over there if you ever need to see a cute picture of a ladybug on a leaf or a microkittie in a burrito.

Re: Project SNSO: Social Network Shout Out

Michael Sean Wright — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:47:39 -0000

I'm looking forward to your discoveries. The joy of social media, to me, is finding an ever expanding universe waiting to be explored.

Re: Random stufffff (Scripting News)

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:46:57 -0000

Dave, you continue to inspire and bring light to the topic of open thinking. Escape we must from centralized thinking. I enjoyed the randomness of this post, pure stream of thought.

Re: Tianamo: Browser-based Visualization [Commercial Break]

Michael Sean Wright — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:12:49 -0000

Nice find Steve, love the data points!

Re: Are You Stream, Digest or Something Else?

Michael Sean Wright — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:30:24 -0000

This is the one time I will happily sit in the middle of the graph. I like switching roles from time to time, it makes for an interesting learning experience. I want to thank you for the kind words and the encouragement. I have really enjoyed your perspective and look forward to learning more from you and the entire community here.

Re: louisgray.com: Hitting Last.fm's 'Love' Button Is Getting Me Back In Tune

Michael Sean Wright — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:17:33 -0000

As the great Stevie Wonder once said- "Music is a world within itself, with a language we can all understand." Music touches us on a level we don't quite understand yet. It was the chosen voice of Coltrane who tried to communicate his ideals with humanity through his grace notes.

I have tried just about all of the social music sites and I do enjoy Last.fm as well. I just hope that they find a way to re-incorporate some of the nice features they had perfected before this latest "update."

Keep Rockin' in the Free World Louis.

Re: We Try So Hard To Be Medicore

Michael Sean Wright — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:31:41 -0000

A great way to start off the week. Reach high then reach further, stretch yourself. You can never go wrong by doing the right things for the right reasons. The closer we get to executing ideas in our own voice, the closer we come to changing our universe.

Please count me in as a pre-order for your new book.

Disqus - Friends of peterhimmelman

Re: Freedom of conversation vs social responsibility.

Re: What are social web sites?

Re: louisgray.com: FriendFeed's Changing Tapestry of Users, Nine Months In

Re: Escaping the echo chamber.

Re: louisgray.com: FriendFeed Friday Tips #6: How To Determine Authorship

Re: louisgray.com: Writing Once, Publishing Many Times, Makes Context Critical

Re: There’s dumb, then there’s Twitter Dumbâ¢

Re: louisgray.com: Is There A Way Back From Free?

Re: Who Do You Follow?

Re: Who Do You Follow?

Re: I Am The Guy Who Reads Your Blog and Never Leaves Comments (AKA The Lurker)

Re: 70 fresh blogs for your Feed Reader c/- FriendFeed

Re: Tech Blogging – Too Crowded? Too Hateful? No, Just Changing.

Re: louisgray.com: The Talk About Rules for Social Following Is Getting Out of Hand

Re: The Internet, Information And Changing The World

Re: I’m Blogging This!

Re: Television will be the first traditional media medium to fall

Re: Build up - do not tear down

Re: Goodbye FriendFeed

Re: Project SNSO: Social Network Shout Out

Re: Random stufffff (Scripting News)

Re: Tianamo: Browser-based Visualization [Commercial Break]

Re: Are You Stream, Digest or Something Else?

Re: louisgray.com: Hitting Last.fm's 'Love' Button Is Getting Me Back In Tune

Re: We Try So Hard To Be Medicore

Re: There’s dumb, then there’s Twitter Dumbâ¢