Brave New World of Social Media
From “The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss” by Claire Nouvian/Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
I begin this posting with amazing images from the book, “The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss,” by Claire Nouvian, French journalist and film director, that was featured in a recent New York Times article.
This entry is a milestone of sorts for me. My good friend Rachel and IT professional extraordinaire informed that this is my 100th posting. It is only a number, but worthy enough for a moment of reflection.
Why these photos? First of all, they are really cool. Some of these underwater denizens live as many as four and half miles below the ocean surface. Fantastical and strangely compelling, they inhabit a world that most of us can’t even begin to imagine. And so forgive my literary license as I appropriate these images to serve as a metaphor for another world that was until only recently just as inconceivable: the brave new world of social media.
500 years ago, people's fear of sea monsters in the far reaches of the Atlantic Ocean inhibited exploration. These "creatures" far below the ocean's surface are much less menacing. But I dare say that today's web 2.0 applications elicit the same dread to executives who fear transparency and the collapse of existing business models.
A little over a year ago, when I started Bernaisesource, I wrote: “We PR folks are modern day Magellans. I don't want to overstate our mission, but we are navigators in a brave new era of communications…We are seeking through blogs, wikis and podcasts alternative routes to the old world of journalism and, in the process, we hopefully will find new ones.”
Looking to write my next 100 postings, I ask how will faster broadband connections, social networking sites and multimedia applications allow us to redefine who we are and how we tell our collective stories? Will today’s Internet be recognizable to future Internet users or will it seem as quaint as the map in the masthead atop this site?
For some perspective, I point to remarks made in 1934 by William Beebe, the first scientist to descend into the abyss to observe these animals first hand. He wrote: “I would focus on some one creature and just as its outlines began to be distinct on my retina, some brilliant, animated comet or constellation would rush across the small arc of my submarine heaven and every sense would be distracted, and my eyes would involuntarily shift to this new wonder.”
More than 70 years later Nouvian wrote in her book, “It was as though a veil had been lifted,” she says, “revealing unexpected points of view, vaster and more promising.”
At the very least, these observations serve to remind of me of new media’s ability to fascinate and distract and the technological sensory overload, multiple viewpoints, distorted boundaries, and promising frontiers associated with web 2.0.
Let me get back to you.
----
A special note of remembrance for those who have fallen serving our country. My heart and prayers go out to family and friends who have lost loved ones.
This entry is a milestone of sorts for me. My good friend Rachel and IT professional extraordinaire informed that this is my 100th posting. It is only a number, but worthy enough for a moment of reflection.
Why these photos? First of all, they are really cool. Some of these underwater denizens live as many as four and half miles below the ocean surface. Fantastical and strangely compelling, they inhabit a world that most of us can’t even begin to imagine. And so forgive my literary license as I appropriate these images to serve as a metaphor for another world that was until only recently just as inconceivable: the brave new world of social media.
500 years ago, people's fear of sea monsters in the far reaches of the Atlantic Ocean inhibited exploration. These "creatures" far below the ocean's surface are much less menacing. But I dare say that today's web 2.0 applications elicit the same dread to executives who fear transparency and the collapse of existing business models.
A little over a year ago, when I started Bernaisesource, I wrote: “We PR folks are modern day Magellans. I don't want to overstate our mission, but we are navigators in a brave new era of communications…We are seeking through blogs, wikis and podcasts alternative routes to the old world of journalism and, in the process, we hopefully will find new ones.”
Looking to write my next 100 postings, I ask how will faster broadband connections, social networking sites and multimedia applications allow us to redefine who we are and how we tell our collective stories? Will today’s Internet be recognizable to future Internet users or will it seem as quaint as the map in the masthead atop this site?
For some perspective, I point to remarks made in 1934 by William Beebe, the first scientist to descend into the abyss to observe these animals first hand. He wrote: “I would focus on some one creature and just as its outlines began to be distinct on my retina, some brilliant, animated comet or constellation would rush across the small arc of my submarine heaven and every sense would be distracted, and my eyes would involuntarily shift to this new wonder.”
More than 70 years later Nouvian wrote in her book, “It was as though a veil had been lifted,” she says, “revealing unexpected points of view, vaster and more promising.”
At the very least, these observations serve to remind of me of new media’s ability to fascinate and distract and the technological sensory overload, multiple viewpoints, distorted boundaries, and promising frontiers associated with web 2.0.
Let me get back to you.
----
A special note of remembrance for those who have fallen serving our country. My heart and prayers go out to family and friends who have lost loved ones.
The analogy of social media with deep sea exploration is apt. A lot of interesting stuff is happening below the surface. Some people are fascinated with everything; others are intimidated by it all. I'm just hoping I have the right dive gear. :-) (Comment this)
http://www.thedeepbook.org/
(Comment this)