2007: “Year Of The New Media Producer”
I’m for hire: Learn more about my work as a new media producer
While everyone is busy making or announcing their predictions and buzzwords for 2007, here’s one which is largely overlooked:
New Media Producer
Who is this person? They are the new face of media on the Internet. New media producers are responsible for creating blogs, podcasts, and interactive content for the Web 2.0 world of “information consumption.” You’ll do well as a new media producer to focus on what I consider to be the hottest things in 2007:
- Blog/Podcast/Vidcast production and consulting
- IPTV (I anticipate The Venice Project being a huge launchpad for video) and mobile content
- Creative consulting
So, if you have a knack for creative thinking and the capability to produce and distribute text, audio, and video content, then you’re in for a WILD ride in 2007.
By the way, according to Google and Ask.com, yours truly ranks #10 and #2 respectively as a new media producer. I’m looking forward to the new year!
Miss USA: "You Blew It!"
Newly crowned Miss USA’s Tara Conner was saved by Donald Trump yesterday. Personally, I wouldn’t have been so forgiving, and I assure you that Ms. Conner will screw up again. How any 21 year old woman such as Conner could royally screw up the prestige and awareness which comes along with her current position is beyond me — or is it?
In reality, Conner is just another typical 20something North American girl. She believes “the life” is excessive partying, booze, promiscuity, etc. This was the perfect time to show this girl what accountability is all about, but again, it was swept under the rug simply because she’s beautiful. Did you notice the inflated (although hollow) confidence displayed before, during, and after the press conference? This is what it said:
“I am Miss USA. I screwed up pretty bad, but that’s okay, because I’m a pretty girl and I can do that!”
What message does this send to young girls? It’s not a good one, that’s for sure.
World Tag for Bloggers: "You’re It!"
What is World Tag?
It’s an open game of “blog tag”. It’s an opportunity for everyday bloggers to engage, the primary purpose of starting this. The blogosphere isn’t exclusive to just a handful of bloggers, as some more prominent bloggers are led to believe. It’s a space of more than 60 million bloggers and this fact should be noted and promoted. It’s about creating community and visibility for the many personalities, professions, ideas, and opinions out there in the world.
So, the rules:
1. You must introduce yourself and list 5 things you’d like the world to know about you
2. You must tag your blog with ‘world-tag’ and ‘blog-tag’
3. You must provide a trackback to the original digg link (not my blog, but the digg URL) and your digg profile (if you have one) to participate
4. You must invite a friend (or stranger) as well
5. Have fun!
Let’s begin …
My name is Ronald Lewis, and I am a 27 year old blogger, podcaster, new media producer, and entrepreneur. I’ve spent 14+ years in the technology industry, and have recently transitioned full-time to focus my efforts and future on the Internet.
My interests include CNN, CNBC, traveling, documentaries, music (Michael McDonald, jazz, pop, folk, rock, country, alternative, songwriting, etc.), technology (voip, linux, windows, software, hardware, iptv, etc.), reading, creative thinking, and a lot more.
5 Things You May Not Know About Me:
- I lost 75 pounds as a teenager, dropping from a 40 inch waist to a 32 (I’ve since packed on 30 lbs, but am currently losing it)
- Bill Gates and I corresponded several times during the 90s — I’ve been engaging various CEOs for knowledge since the age of 13
- I always feel like a kid anytime I fly — I enjoy flying that much
- I often compose random and original music in my head — and hear it as well
- To keep myself grounded and sane about life on planet earth, I escape mentally by thinking about the universe at large and its distant galaxies and the other lifeforms which exist (including those similar to our own)
Easy Solution To Digg’s ‘Planted Stories’ Problem
The press release is dead, folks. It is ineffective, and is a dinosaur to boot. Bloggers, user-content driven sites such as Digg and Newsvine, discussion forums, and more, are all ways to accomplish mass scale in marketing. Are we surprised that Digg’s top users are being approached with financial compensation by creative marketing types to get their clients on the front page? Of course not, because everyone knows how valuable the digg brand is.
Digg is already the PRNewswire and Businesswire of “live content distribution”. Why shouldn’t the company capitalize on this? Why not add a dedicated section for the dissemination of corporate news and press releases for a fee, controlled by moderation and voted on by the digg community. This in itself would attract even more users to digg and those who are interested in reading such news. Ideally, this new “feature” could mirror that of the recently launched podcasts section of the site.
I believe marketers would be more than willing to pay for this privilege, albeit at a discounted rate when compared to the costs of traditional press releases and other forms of marketing.
Coming up: Compensation/Revenue Sharing Is Digg’s Future
Free America: Achieving A Race-Free Society In 100 Years
America: We are not free. Instead, we are enslaved to ideas and concepts which date back several centuries — ideas which have influenced us to live segregated lives based on assumptions and illogical concepts about life and people. We are not a free nation until we change our perception of reality to lead us to real freedom. Only then can we be united and free.
Here are some ways we can realize a race-free America over the next 100 years:
1. Everything race-based must go:
We cannot realize a race-free America with programs, groups, and other self-interests which promote and support the concept of race. The goal is to create a social fabric which is fair and balanced, and we cannot achieve this without eradicating the things which plague our nation and its ability to realize the dream.
- Racial classification and labels
- Affirmative Action
- NAACP
- Rainbow Coalition
- Action Network
- Government supported programs
- Initiatives
- Exclusive clubs
- Targeted networks, magazines, and newspapers
- Etc.
2. Educate, educate, educate:
If we are to achieve a race-free society, then we must educate our citizens. Most Americans support the idea of race, and effective communication is paramount to breaking the mold.
- Public Service Announcements
- Community outreach initiatives
- Political support
- Curriculum for schools and universities
- Corporate and government support
- Etc.
3. Practice “equal thinking”:
If Americans were created equal, then we wouldn’t be a nation obsessed with race, nor would classes exist (e.g., “black”, “white”). Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a “majority” or “minority”. We are all the same. There are no superior groups of people. Race is a fallacy.
4. Innocence is beautiful; Protect our children:
When children are born, they are innocent and open-minded. Let’s keep it that way, as they are the future of a race-free society.
5. Word of mouth:
Communicate and share often. Help your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances realize the fraud that race is and the harm it has caused this nation and world over the past few centuries. Introduce them to material, research the truth about race, and help them understand.
The above thoughts on achieving a race-free society is just a start. The initiative will require the collective power of thousands and millions of voices standing up for the truth and enabling our great nation to truly be free. We cannot pretend. We cannot ignore it. We cannot sit idle. We cannot be comfortable. We must take action. Today.
Life was never intended to be this way, America. It is up to you to help steer our nation on a path to healing and prosperity. We must work to realize the dream of a race and color-free society. We cannot give up. We must believe and take action.
Do you believe in the dream? Will you stand up for it? We owe this to ourselves, our country, and the world. Let’s become the guiding light for great change. Let’s create a New America.
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