My 3-year-old Gateway started freezing up so rather than watch it suffer, I called Dell and told them to send me the biggest, badest box they had (listing the specs would be in bad taste). I unpacked but didn’t set-up and boot-up. It’s just sitting there. Untouched by viruses. Loaded with the very latest software. Perfect. Pristine. I almost hate to fire her up. Is there anything on this corporal plane closer to rebirth than a brand new computer?
“Podcasting Is Not the Next Mass Medium”
In an article titled “Podcasting Is Not the Next Mass Medium,” David Coursey (Publish.com) poo-poo’s the idea of podcasting (and blogging, for that matter):
“Personal Podcasting, like personal blogs, is a fad and will fade. Just like personal sites were a fad in the early days of the Web. People experiment because content creation can be fun, sort of like finger-painting was back in preschool, but people also run out of creative energy, and the maintenance of a site, blog or Podcast becomes a chore. And the content gets boring, and the audience goes away.
I’ve been in the media all my professional life and have spent years trying to understand audience behavior. I can’t always tell what the masses will like, but I am pretty good at calling losers. And as a mass medium, Podcasting will be one of them. “
Three comments: First, that Mr. Coursey has “been in the media all my professional life,” might be more liability than asset in understanding what’s happening in the world of new media. Second, I’m not sure there will be such a thing as a “mass medium” in the future. We’ve been part of the masses. Now we want to be individuals. Third, the photo posted with his column makes me want to bitch-slap him real hard.
Jeff Jarvis on “citizen media”
“…new world of weblogs and citizens’ media is all about possibilities — many of them unrealized, I grant — while the world of the big, old media is increasingly about worry: fretting over declining revenue, resources, audience, quality, trust. That is one good reason for big media to embrace the small, rather than trying to recapture the old: It’s optimistic, energetic, new, open, growing, and fun; it’s the medium in the better mood and that’s catching. In short: Bloggers make better barmates.” — Full post here
Next week at Gnomedex, I will be surrounded by lots of bloggers and new media types. I’m looking forward to 3 days of optimism, energy, fun. The future is here and I’m loving it.
Google iTunes clone?
Dave Winer reports hearing rumors that Google is readying an iTunes-clone, based on RSS 2.0, and fully podcast-capable. Says he has multiple sources on the rumor. I loves the Google and suspect this will be oh so nifty.
Jeff Jarvis on “Freedom Center”
Mr. Jarvis is so right when he calls for “the truest expression of American freedom: commerce.” Instead of a “Freedom Center” (at the site of the World Trade Center), he wants to see life:
I want to see stores that sell scanty clothes, no burkas allowed.
I want to see restaurants that serve liquor.
I want to see movies that show anything, even sex.
I want to see bookstores that celebrate free speech.
I want to see stores selling products from all over the world: the fruits of globalization.
I want to see life there. Defiant, unapologetic life.
stevemays.com
Like a pair of old, soft, faded Levi’s, smays.com is comfortable and familiar. It has been my online home for a long time and I can’t imagine changing it. The only domain that would even tempt me is stevemays.com. Which belongs to Steven F. Mays, an attorney in Washington State. Steven F. offers few clues about himself or his practice. Well, I guess his phone and fax numbers are good “clues” but I’m thinking along more personal lines. For example, what are we to make of his single “Reader’s Recommendation?” The Trials of Lenny Bruce: The Fall and Rise of an American Icon.
I emailed Steven F. asking him if he would sell me his domain. I’m hoping Steven F.’s law practice is thriving and he doesn’t need my money. So my plea was ripped from the script of “Days of Our Lives.” Steven F. is a busy, successful lawyer with no time for web site. If he sells it to me, I’ve promised to care for it and give it loving, daily attention.
I know, it’s a long shot. My only hope is that he reads enough of my posts to get to know me and likes what I’ve done here at smays.com.
PS for Steven F. — It appears you live in a suburb of Seattle. How about we get together for a drink while I’m in town for Gnomedex?
Dunklin County Courthouse
When I was a lad, the Dunklin County Courthouse was kind of a “big deal.” Big physically. Big because it was the center of “downtown Kennett.” And big because important, powerful people worked there. Or so it seemed. Photo by Charles Jolliff.
Five things I’d like to see engraved on little rubber bracelets (5ives)
From 5ives (“Merlin’s list of five things”). Five things Id like to see engraved on little rubber bracelets:
1. Nap Strong
2. My Other Bracelet is Fighting Colon Cancer
3. America: Shut Thy Pie Hole
4. Kiss Me, Im Trendy
5. Please Watch Arrested Development
The Republican Party is podcasting.
For now, something called “BookCast,” an interview show with Conservative book authors, and “Off The Record,” a web interview series with Republican leaders. Their website promises more to come. [via Scripting News]
Robert Iger on Disney’s New Media strategy
Robert Iger, the future CEO of Disney:
“(We will) not allow management of traditional businesses to get in the way of very, very important migration to new-media platforms.”
Hmmm. Disney probably has enough money to pull that off but I’m not sure how smaller companies (like ours) accomplish this. The landscape might look very different in a few years. [Hollywood Reporter by way of E-Media Tidbits]