Convergence of PBS, NPR, social media and new media afficionados, print, web, and video journalists, bloggers, film-makers, citizen journalist, change agents, nonprofit activists … all who are re-shaping media, online and offline. There were over 200 people attending, offering their ideas and contributing via an unconference, where attendees took ownership for shaping 70 hour-long break-out sessions over a 2 day period. It was really quite wonderful being a part of this dynamic media and mind convergence.
Many people were inspired by the high energy level and active exchange of ideas. I think that there is a tremendous opportunity for NPR and PBS to take a leadership role in reinventing itself and migrating to online formats. Social media is a natural extension of public radio’s and public TV’s mission and message. It adds the interactive component. It empowers and engages. It makes programs available on demand by viewers, listeners and the public. This preserves the content and makes content available 24/7. It eliminates the constraints of program schedules. Public media engages and empowers the public and social media and online content enables the public to take action. No more lip service. Now we have to take action, and make it meaningful and transparent. That is a good thing.
Yes, there is media convergence. Old media is out and new media, social media is in. Things are full tilt. Anything is possible. Everything is emerging and evolving. There is no right or wrong answer. Novelty is magnetic. It draws people in. Everyone has a voice, on multiple platforms. Some voices ring truer than others. More transparent. More compelling. Capturing the imagination. The web is abuzz. Yet, do we have enough time to ‘consume’ everything that is out there in the stratosphere and the blogosphere?
It will be interesting to see how public media and social media evolve and converge...
It is mysterious how people are thriving in the blogosphere, finding their own voices, and others are following. It is changing marketing and branding and engagement. It is changing the balance of power in politics and helping nonprofits and companies t.o reach their audiences in meaningful ways. It is 24/7. It has the power to create a phenomenon that creates overnight awareness and sensation, that transforms lives and galvanizes people. It is a virtual (double entendre intended) archive - an inter-woven magic carpet that preserves and engages the human experience. All aboard! A brave new world emerges below.
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