MixedRealities - Latest Comments

Re: Redefining mobile, social and real-time

Prokofy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:13:29 -0000

The problem with these lovely socialist dreams of Stephen's is that people can't get paid on them. With systems like Aardvark, you're asked to go online and provide your expertise for free all day long to freeloaders who are too lazy to do the research you did yourself to learn what you learned. The Connectivists always want somebody else to be doing the work of studying and learning, and then they want them to externalize all this and make it available for free. It's a great thing for those with leisure time and energy to burn in the affluent classes of students paid for in universities, various geeks subsidized by their big IT companies that let them loaf, Mom with her basement, etc. but it's not a real business model or sustainable ideal for an actual civilization. This dream of collectivism dies so hard.

There's something really illusory about "real time". It's not my real time but your real time or some nebulous "other" real time dictated by the exigencies of the real-time devices. Read a book the old fashioned way, I am free to make any cloud of connections and thoughts and analyses the organic way. Online, I am driven in a narrow lock-step from click to click by those who have put clickable clicks before me...

As for giving me everything I want, by pushing to me only my "likes," the system ensures that a lot of know-nothing smug and superior asses are created who never have to work at getting anything, never have to negotiate or compromise, never have to encounter something they don't like that forces them to seek. I think this makes for a dangerously destructive society.

All of the new technology out there is something that Stephen wants to harness to do communism *better* than it was done in meat world, with superior tools. That doesn't change the essentially destructive and devaluating essence of the ideology, however.

Re: Tell a good story and engage in conversations in VW, in five points

xmashampers — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:13:04 -0000

Getting involve is different from just being there. Somehow the thrill of mingling is enough to know how it feels to be with realilty.
xmas hampers

Re: How Second Life can prevent schools from drugging ballerinas

bawejalinks — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:12:35 -0000

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Re: Tech Adoption, Then and Now

Scott — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:40:35 -0000

It's not just the fact it's mobile, it's the fact that Apple got tired of watching the cell phone companies milk customers for all they were worth with 1990's technology for over 10 years and created an interface that is actually useable. Just being mobile isn't enough, as Microsoft's WinCE/Windows Mobile platform loudly attests. They had a massive headstart, but by insisting on cramming a windows interface onto a tiny screen, they ensured that no one but the hugest Microsoft apologists would ever use it.

The biggest lesson Apple keeps teaching other companies, and the one they keep forgetting five minutes later, is user experience matters. The second biggest lesson Apple keeps teaching them that no one, including the so-called analysts, ever understands, despite the fact that Apple's grabbing a hugely disproportionate share of the computer sales dollars, is that making money is a sound business strategy.

Re: The WoW Paywall: What Newspapers Can Learn From Orcs And Dwarves | paidContent

JoelFoner — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:45:15 -0000

Do they get access to special content, or is more of a status and recognition thing (a "badge" of some sort)?

Re: The WoW Paywall: What Newspapers Can Learn From Orcs And Dwarves | paidContent

RolandLegrand — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:47:54 -0000

Well, in financial news one could easily imagine organizing a stock competition (which we actually do), which would be an obvious gaming element, and those who do well could get a guru-status, others an apprentice-status etc.

Re: The WoW Paywall: What Newspapers Can Learn From Orcs And Dwarves | paidContent

JoelFoner — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:55:55 -0000

There's an interesting idea... have people compete in a role play gaming scenario in order to get more and more accurate news? (Just kidding, I hope!) On a more serious note, I seem to recall a couple of sites that reward more community participation with access to extended features, but haven't heard anything about how they are doing with that model.

Re: Commenting using Disqus and Seesmic

mucinex dm — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:05:56 -0000

Yeah, it is easy to use!

Re: That unevenly distributed future

Free Internet Kids Games — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:06:44 -0000

Hmm maybe the next generation will be more interested in "second lives" than social networking.

Re: New media’s just another word for nothing left to lose

RolandLegrand — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:18:14 -0000

Well that is true, also in Europe. I guess there are specific reasons for the situation in virtual worlds. It would be interesting to analyze which specific reasons...

Re: Living a Second Life as first lesson in social media

ken onion leek — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:45:46 -0000

For me, you don't need second life to learn how to participate in social media in gral. If your company want to participate in facebook or other social media, it makes more sense to observe and participate directly in that social media.

Re: New media’s just another word for nothing left to lose

JoelFoner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:05:46 -0000

Based on the number of startups I've seen and talked to recently, with basements or halls chock full of 20-somethings building next generation Internet-powered products, I'd be hard pressed to say that the 20-something age group are not engaging in revolutionary ways of doing things. They may not be a demographic that is as strong in virtual worlds as older age ranges, but I think that is a somewhat different cause and effect.

Re: New media’s just another word for nothing left to lose

DoubledownTandino — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:27 -0000

Definitely true Roland. and Robert does have a point as well.

However.... ask just about every college graduate what they're doing currently, and they'll tell you they are desperately looking for a job, feeling like they deserve one, feeling like they've been betrayed and lied to, blaming society and the economy, and turning to social media to vent out their frustrations and they defer on their college loan debts.

I'm just saying I see many late 20 somethings deferring to social media and using it very amateurishly.... 20somethings are misguided souls, ignorant, ready to believe anything they hear and read - OR - ready to fight against anything they hear and read. Either way, its a generation of followers looking to fight for something... and they have no clue what it is. They want to fight corporations... they want to fight the media.... they want to fight everything, because they've been lied to their entire lives. I was lied to. My generation was lied to.
and I think the 20 somethings are entirely revolutionary and activist-oriented. USA just dealt with 8 years of Bush/Cheney... and every single young american 2 years ago felt the need to make a stand and vote for Obama. For change.
Also, I don't see 20 somethings as empathetic or kind either. I see them as misguided and delusional, spoiled, and ready to follow either FOR anything... or AGAINST anything.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aknacer/3176306932...

( these are all generalizations... and I'm not even sure I believe in what I'm saying here... I'm just speaking because I see multiple perspectives regarding the Y generation )

Re: New media’s just another word for nothing left to lose

RolandLegrand — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:26:57 -0000

Interesting take, DD. But I think Robert has a point, especially for the young 20-somethings (let's say those leaving college, up to 27/28). It's not that they reject new ideas, they just want to play it safe - which is not unreasonable in the midst of a crisis. I know these are generalizations, but I mean, it's not like we are confronted with a new Beatles' or punk generation. They are kind and empathic, but not exactly revolutionaries wanting to create news forms and nothing else...

Re: New media’s just another word for nothing left to lose

DoubledownTandino — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:17:56 -0000

I would like to agree with you... but, also, I'm sort of not so sure... I'm 30. (I'll consider myself a 20something for the sake of this discussion)

I tend to believe in the opposite of what you just mentioned. Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation or Generation Next or Net Generation.... these are 20 somethings... Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. In most parts of the world its upbringing was marked by an increasingly neo-liberal or market oriented approach to the politics and economics.

What I tend to think is that the older generation feels they've paid their dues, worked hard to make a honest dollar... and they have everything to lose, so take little risks. Meanwhile the younger generation feel like they deserve more than they really should just by either being liberal, intellectuals, or psuedo-intellectuals.

this quote: "Young people are getting much value from getting traditional credentials. They want to become respected professionals: lawyers, accountants, professors, journalists," ... I believe is entirely the opposite situation currently in the world (in my point of view.)

But maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm a rare case of an intelligent late 20something willing to take big risks and give up safety, security, and stature... just to jump on board with what I believe to be the future. I gave up a steady RL marketing and entertainment manager position for a large restaurant corporation, just to take the risk of jumping into virtual worlds and social media. Every day I wonder if that was the right move. Also, every day I wonder why I need to continue to be a freelancer, when I feel companies and executives should be clawing at my email inbox to hire me.... instead, I'm finding it impossible to find a real life job again.

The GenY Spin on Start-Ups
http://blog.inc.com/the-entrepreneurial-generat...

Why Gen Y Is Going to Change the Web
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/why_gen_y_...

Mixing Gen Y with big business: It is all or nothing
http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-opinion...

Why Generation Y is broke
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/...

My blog:
http://djdoubledown.blogspot.com

Re: Tim Bajarin sees a new creative (writing) class

c3 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:18:53 -0000

needs a system that allows one to be paid a living wage..
end of story.

Re: Shifting mindsets towards a post-factory economy

JoelFoner — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:46:32 -0000

It is fascinating to see you question whether the We Are The Network sessions are journalism. I had not previously thought about this question, as my goals in forming this project were quite different, focused on team and group facilitation, creation of a platform for group discussion that would engage the participants in weekly (mostly) serious dialogue, and to explore the parallels between effective facilitation in virtual world and face to face settings.

Before I go any farther, I have to say that I am not a professionally trained journalist by any measure, although I do spend time on background research for each session, think about a "story arc" for one or multiple sessions while choosing (or rejecting) topics and approaches, and provide direct references for the major points that we discuss. (Maybe this is being a journalist, on some minimal level?)

To your question, perhaps this is journalism when viewed from a certain perspective. My understanding is that serious interview shows presented in a broadcast medium, such as the televised Charlie Rose show, are journalism. In this format, there is similar research, preparation and fact-checking, with a considered approach to the questioning and discussion.

In some ways could we also think about the We Are The Network format as a serious interview experience, except that it is a facilitated "group interview"? In many ways this is how I think about the sessions - as a facilitated discussion, with a focus on creating involvement with interview-style questions drawn from the weekly topic area. We are all exploring a topic with each other, rather than having a single focal point in the form of an interviewer and an interviewee.

Is this journalism?

You've raise the question of business and financial models as well. I wonder whether the financial element has a direct bearing on whether an activity or piece of work is journalism. If a person performs with journalistic integrity, and does the things that a journalist does, and produces a quality result, is that person not performing journalism - even if the work is done for free? If the answer to this question is "yes", then it clearly blurs the line about journalism and bloggers and the future of journalism, since there are many bloggers who write for their own non-monetary reasons, who happen to be excellent writers, researchers, and perhaps even journalists. Does this mean that the craft of journalism is going away, or does it maybe mean that journalism is becoming to some degree a basic skill rather than a paid specialty?

If the bar for acceptance as a journalist is an accreditation, and the number of people writing in a journalistic style has multiplied dramatically, perhaps there is space for some sort of journalistic credential that is based on experience, knowledge and demonstrated ability, independent of attendance at a journalism school?

Thanks for another intriguing post,

Joel (who never really considered the possibility of being considered a journalist in any fashion to this point - and now you've once again raised the bar of realization about the nature of this project!)

Re: How can virtual worlds contribute to the post-industrial eco-systems?

RolandLegrand — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:11:41 -0000

Yes, that was not his most insightful comment...

Re: How can virtual worlds contribute to the post-industrial eco-systems?

openid-13280 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:09:35 -0000

Actually last year Jarvis dismissed Second Life use .. apparently, without checking facts enough:
Jeff Jarvis Says Second Life is the most Overhyped, Alleged Phenom of the Century.

He even wrote that "we don't need artificial versions of reality" - with all due respect, that sounds like a totally clueless comment that ignores the great potential of both online social technologies and immersive 3D environments.

Re: Google Wave for collaborative blogging and conference backchannels

Olando7 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:13:32 -0000

Sure Joel, I know the discussion will be balanced and open as always... The nice thing about these discussions is that we are not aiming for one single conclusion, every participant goes home with her or his own conclusions.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend :((, I've to attend a meeting & dinner in meatspace...

Re: Google Wave for collaborative blogging and conference backchannels

JoelFoner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:17:25 -0000

Hi Roland,

It is always great to hear your "pre game analysis" to get us going before the session - thanks!

I feel I have to say that I have not treating the proposition as a foregone conclusion, and I hope that we can dig a bit deeper with our discussion. I hope that we can talk about whether we should listen to the old maxim that absolute power corrupts absolutely, whether comprehensive information is the same thing as absolute power, and what the alternate longer term outcomes of the current trajectory might look like.

Perhaps that saying will not apply in this case, and perhaps it will. I suspect that there are some cogent arguments to be made on both sides, based on the happenstance discussions I've wandered into recently. The trigger for this topic came from conversations with a few people who advanced the idea that the line had already been crossed, and a few others who were encamped in the position that "Don't Be Evil" could (and would) be maintained indefinitely.

Here's to another interesting discussion, and see you soon!

Joel

Re: Disruptive technology adoption is a uphill battle

Olando7 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:42:56 -0000

hm. I had the feeling it was not brand new... let's say it illustrates something. Especially the quote about the video - or how the 3D metaverse needs the 2D, at least if one wants to reach a wider audience.

Re: Disruptive technology adoption is a uphill battle

Prokofy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:52:13 -0000

The Green Data center is like 2 years old. I blogged about it and road around on the trolley there ages ago.

Re: Disruptive technology adoption is a uphill battle

Prokofy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:51:39 -0000

I hate it when people try to prove their social Darwinist fallacies about this century's "disruptive technologies" by harking back without context or understanding to the last century's.

That sign may well be photoshopped, but in fact from reading fiction and autobiographies and memoirs we know that there wasn't any disruptive effect of electricity as was claimed. It gradually spread from urban to rural areas. It was used in combination with gas lights for the longest time. People didn't have strange beliefs about it because mass media educated them.

And in fact the claims of the fake social Darwinist here are false. Electrical light *has* had an effect on human lives. For example, to cite only one thing, the effect of having masses of girls under artificial electric light for years accelerated the onset of their first period. People staying indoors instead of going outside for light also had an effect. Staying up later, and making workdays later, have also had an effect. The effect of forcing people to sleep less ,work longer, stay up later aren't known even after 100 years, but it might be that some ills of the modern life like cancers are *indirectly* related to them.

People chortling about FUD in other people want disruptive technology to disrupt everyone but themselves. The issue is about power, not technology.

Re: Google Wave as an immersive environment / join us, invites available!

Olando7 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:32:02 -0000

Hi, I nominated you, it can take several days for Google to invite you
effectively...

Best

Roland