Josia just raised this point on the Start here: Announcing BlogHer post:
"What an incredible IDEA!! If I didn't have a baby I would definitely fly in from Israel! Please let me know if there is any way of participating virtually. It's the women of the world who are the true movers and shakers - enjoy the conference!"
To the latter--no kidding. Here's an example: I just returned from Zeitung Online 2005, a conference for German-language newspapers. How the heck, I wondered, did these folks get my name? Enter Katja Riefler, a journalist and media strategist who contributes to Poytner.org in addition to various German media publications and sites. She and I met at the Newspaper Association of America conference in March, and she suggested I talk about blogs in Berlin. Voila--the old girls' network in action.
Time to get our network on ladies -- Josia, there is definitely a way of participating virtually, mit or mit-out baby: Why not hold a BlogHer meet-up in your zip code?
Be our guest: Please use this post to link off to your blogs, where you can suggest a time and place for a July 30 BlogHer meet-up near you. Bring on the jpegs and podcasts!
"Bring on the jpegs and podcasts!" - probably a good moment to clarify, then, if there are any issues with an individual a) recording and b) subsequently podcasting some (or all) of a session or sessions? I ask, because I'll have my recorder and microphones in tow, and don't want to inadvertently break any such rules.
Posted by: Koan Bremner | June 21, 2005 at 08:51 PM
Koan, great question. Given that all sessions will be live blogged, and that live bloggers are being incentivized to do so, I can't imagine that audio recording would be prohibited.
What about video? Some are likely to show up wtih their cameras, but will they be allowed to make video recordings of conference sessions?
Posted by: mobile jones | June 21, 2005 at 11:04 PM
Another thing I'd like to try and get (before, during and after the conference) is a "vox pop" of as many conference-goers (who want to, of course) to say a few words (or a lot!) e.g. some or all of name (or nickname), where they're from, why they've come, what they hope to get / are getting / did (or didn't) get out of being at BlogHer, anything else that they want to... and then put that together into an audio piece that truly captures the breadth of attendees; the more voices, the more accents, the more languages (it doesn't have to be in English) the better. But I'm not going to pester people with a microphone; only if they want to record something.
Posted by: Koan Bremner | June 22, 2005 at 12:50 AM
Koan, I can't wait to meet you, woman. Hey Debi.
Your questions are prescient, as we're getting to work on our conference groundrules now. So, with the caveat that we'll address these points first thing at the conference--and my colleagues can be expected to improve these ideas as always--here's a general overview:
a. Consider this entire conference on the record. In other words, everything you say can (and likely will) be attributed to you by the bloggers in the room.
b. Given (a), you can expect your comments to be recorded in text, audio and/or video/still image. For example, we're planning to record an audiocast of each session for posting on this blog so that people who cannot join us in person can experience the discussion.
c. My $0.02 on video and photographs outside of on-the-record conference session rooms: Despite (a) and (b), I think it's perfectly understandable if you don't want your photograph taken or a video camera in your face. When we're not in the sessions, I always think courtesy rules: folks with cameras should ask permission and folks who don't want their picture taken should decline.
Posted by: Lisa Stone | June 22, 2005 at 05:05 AM
Hey Lisa.
Posted by: mobile jones | June 22, 2005 at 10:51 AM
Just a side comment. Why so much focus on gender for a medium in which sex is only revealed when the blogger chooses to reveal it? There really aren't any gender barriers to blogging.
Posted by: dude | June 22, 2005 at 12:57 PM
I've just put up a a speculative post to see if there's any interest in a parallel meet in London on 30 or 31 July? And if there's any offer of a venue, ideally with a broadband connection? Trying a trackback, Haloscan's being a bit slow so in case it doesn't take the link is http://consumingexperience.blogspot.com/2005/06/blogher-bloggers-conference-in-london.html
Cheers
Imp.
Posted by: Improbulus | June 22, 2005 at 03:44 PM
Yay Imp!
Posted by: Lisa Stone | June 22, 2005 at 06:07 PM
Hey dude :) Heh, that was fun.
Although this discussion probably would be better happening on the BlogHer MIssion post, I'll put a brief comment here.
Agreed there are no barriers to actually blogging for anyone (except those on the other side of the digital divide.) But that's not really the point.
We all talk about on the Internet theoretically no one knows you're a dog, but the truth is the majority of bloggers do self-identify.
And certainly most bloggers who are blogging as part of a professional/business/journalistic endeavor do.
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | June 23, 2005 at 07:21 AM
BOSTON MEETUP INVITE
I'm so excited as a woman of color to have this connection to other women bloggers. (And, yes there are some obstacles even in the blogosphere). I wish I could join you all, but I can't.
So, anyone in greater Boston interested in a meetup session? I'm happy to pull the logistics together if there's interest.
Personally, I think f2f really can impact online friendships. I met Jill Fallon of Business of Life and Toby Bloomberg of
Posted by: Dina Beach Lynch | July 05, 2005 at 10:58 AM
Global Chat: The Virtual Meetup
Those who want to participate but cannot make it to any of the regional events can hook in online via pingVision (www.pingV.com). More info from Lisa Stone is posted here.
Posted by: Laura Scott | July 29, 2005 at 09:35 AM
Gatheroo as a Replacement for Meetup
I just thought I would let you know about Gatheroo - an alternative to Meetup. Meetups, as you may know, played a big role in mobilizing voters and activists in the last election cycle. They have started charging for their services, which puts a dent in the resources of many. Ours will not charge. That is why we have created Gatheroo - to get such services back to as grassroots friendly as we can. And Gatheroo will also incorporate some interesting 'second-generation' community building tools.
You might be interested in the reasoning for our initiative. Information technologies have been blamed for (among many things) increasing alienation (e.g., game potatoes). The Meetup phenomena moved in the opposite direction - using technologies to bring folks together and thus reversing if not a trend, a perception. I don't know if you are familiar with the work of Robert Putnam in his book "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community", but we feel technologies like ours are a response. I have expanded on this on our blog, http://gatheroo.blogspot.com/
I hope you'll take a look at what we're up to and ask yourself how what we are doing relates to issues you address in your blog. I'd be happy to hear your views.
-----------------------------------
Randall Kindley, Ph. D.
Co-Founder, Gatheroo
Minneapolis, MN
http://gatheroo.com
http://gatheroo.blogspot.com/
[email protected]
[email protected] (IM)
Phone: (612) 721-6752
Cell: (612) 578-9518
Posted by: Randall Kindley | August 08, 2005 at 04:36 PM
Actually Randall I'm fascinated bt the very topic you raise. Technology started contributing to social alienation way before the computer and video games took over our lives...dinner in front of the TV anyone?
It's interesting how we now are finding ways to connect via technology, but I still wonder whether it's an adequate replacement for actual "brick and mortar" interaction with our neighbors and community. We hope that BlogHer encourages both kinds of activities I guess.
I'll be checking out your blog.
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | August 08, 2005 at 04:49 PM
Hi Randall:
I can see from your comment above that you are interested in recommending your product to our audience. However, I must recommend a different approach than your comment, which reads like an advertisement for your product, rather than as a comment that participates in or furthers our ongoing discussion of how and where BlogHers may meet up in person.
As you may see from the homepage www.BlogHer.org, we been very fortunate to work with both establishd and nascent interactive technology companies that wish to support our audience. Your company would be a welcome addition to our team of strategic sponsors. This is the approach we recomend for best results.
If you are interested in pursuing a sponsorship with BlogHer.org, please write me back and/or contact our head of strategic alliances, Jory Des Jardins, at jorydj(at)yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Lisa Stone
Posted by: Lisa Stone | August 09, 2005 at 01:59 PM