Media Futures

I am very excited about videoblogging. I see a glimpse of a future where information exchange, in all its forms, is controlled by people and their interests, not big corporations or governments. As members of the human community, we all seem to have some need to reach and share with each other. We do it in different ways: painting, music, sculpture, needlepoint, writing, talking, chatting, flaming, blogging, videobloging, gaming or just watching others do these things. It helps us feel connected. At least that is how I feel when Carol and Steve share their gardening fun. Or Michael Verdi shares this clip of his daughter Dylan. Or Dylan gives us her opinion on the Sex Pistols. Up until recently, gatekeepers would decide whether expressions were worthy of distribution or consideration by the greater community. Record companies, publishers, television networks, news services, art galleries, newspaper editors etc. would decide who got to express themselves, what was compelling content and where and when these expressions could be viewed, if they could be viewed. As internet technology evolves, we are all getting the tools to publish news, art, opinion, music, video, movies, photographs and make it available to millions of people. At the same time, we are getting the tools to search, access, enjoy and learn from these astoundingly diverse offerings. A truly "free market" for information is being born. You put a piece of your self out there and people can consider it. There may or may not be interest or appreciation but at least freedom of expression is truly becoming reality. The day of the gatekeeper is coming to an end.

What got me fired up today is an excellent interview by citizen journalist Steve Garfield with Holmes Wilson from the Participatory Culture Foundation. Holmes is talking about Broadcast Machine. Holmes also speaks about BitTorrent.

It's a long piece, but I love how beautifully Holmes articulates the paradigm shift that is happening and his vision of free information exchange now and in the future.

Information Wants to be Free (?)

Thanks to Steve and Holmes for a very thought-provoking discussion.