2006 February 10

I'm now sitting in my second session that's centered on citizen journalism (the first one, focused more on a specific tool – this one, focused more on general concepts surrounding the evolution). There are a lot of people interested in what's happening around them; folks either want to be a part of it, or they want to be able to explain it to their co-workers. There's a democratization of content distribution and digestion unfolding, but there's also an overflow of said information. I came to one conclusion recently: “Wisdom of Crowds” is now an oxymoron. The bigger the mob, the dumber they are. What does that say about collections of connections? Citizen journalists believe that credentialed journalists get it wrong more often than not – and traditional journalists believe that amateur voices are wholly without reason. I hate to say it, but there's a bit of truth in both of those perspectives. We have groupthink infesting both sides of the equation. So, what do we need today? A better set of bozo filters.
Let me put it to you this way: just because I can apply a bandage, doesn't make me a doctor. *ahem*

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I'm using my Northern Voice today (and tomorrow). This is a lot like my indoor voice, which I have been asked to employ on countless occasions. We're attending what seems to be a cross between a User Group and a Camp and a Conference for Canadians. That's the best way to explain it. They were kind enough to let some of us (Americans) through the door. At least Seattle is Vancouver's neighbor. Ponzi and I love Vancouver, as we have proclaimed a few times. This is the second Northern Voice conference in Vancouver, BC (not Vancouver, AD). Thank goodness we only missed the first of the informal morning sessions, unconsciously hitting snooze in our room at the Hampton Inn a few blocks away from UBC's downtown campus. Seem to be a lot of smart people here – won't be too difficult to make a few new friends. My red hair acts as an ice breaker, ya know. Right now, we're sitting in a session that's discussing citizen journalism. I feel like Clark Kent (with red hair).

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