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A Geek Gift Guide, Part IV: Books, Comics and Graphic Novels

While games and gadgets are great, holding a book in your hand still takes the cake; at least for this particular geek. And while I'm going to recommend some good old-fashioned books for your perusal, I'm also going to talk about one of other true passions (outside of technology and investing): comic books. Before you stop reading, remember that many of today's biggest movies and TV shows are either based on long-standing comic characters (e.g., Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, 300) or long-time comic book writers (e.g., Lost, Heroes).

Books

I'm going to recommend some books that I've either read recently or am hoping to read very soon. For the most part, they've been published in 2007 but this shouldn't be confused for a "Best of 2007" list. Just books I liked and think are worth buying for your favorite geek this year.

Business & Investing

Fiction

Non-Fiction

Reference

Comics, Trade Paperbacks, Graphic Novels and Other Illustrated Work

The comic book industry is no longer exclusively beholden to a monthly, serialized format. Many ongoing comics are written in arcs with the explicit intent of reprinting them in a collected edition. That has changed the type of stories being told (sometimes for the better, others for the worse). As I discuss some of the comics I think your geek should be reading, keep in mind that in many cases you can do so monthly or through collected editions; I will denote if I have a preference on a given title.

I'm ALWAYS looking for other reading recommendations so PLEASE share your recommendations for stuff that came out recently.

Up Next: DVDs (Movies and TV)...

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November 26, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A Geek Gift Guide, Part III: Gaming

These are Halcyon days for gamers. With three competing next-generation platforms as well as better-than-ever options for you PC gamers; the choices are nearly limitless.

The Consoles

Wiilogo The Nintendo Wii has laid claim to the top-selling platform for good reason. It's easy to use, offers a unique gaming experience that appeals to non-traditional gamers (i.e., grand parents, moms, younger kids), and is markedly less expensive than the competing platforms. Whereas they were really hard to come by last holiday season, you should have an easier time tracking one down this December.

Games for the Season:

  • Guitar Hero III -- Release your inner rock god with this massively popular and addictive experience
  • Super Mario Galaxy -- Nintendo's long-time flagship character is back and this time his adventures span the galaxy
  • Resident Evil 4 -- The Resident Evil series has always been one of my favorite, and was consistently among the best Playstation options; now the 4th generation is on the Wii
  • Metroid Prime 3: Corruption -- The Metroid series is another long-time Nintendo brand; and this version is one of the first titles to really push the Wii's technical capabilities

Xbox The XBox 360 may not have the market share of the Wii, but for any self-respecting geek it's THE machine of this generation. The 360 and the PS3 are, technologically, superior devices in almost every way to the Wii. The kinds of gaming experiences that can be developed on the XBox are mind-boggling, and this year there have been some amazing games released. The XBox also has an edge in connectivity, as the XBox Live has grown into a vibrant community where geeks can play against one another all across the world.

Games for the Season:

  • Halo 3 -- Most self-respecting geeks will already own this monster game ($300mm sales in the first week alone) but in the off chance they haven't yet tried this one out, it's a must have if you have any interest in 1st person shooting environments
  • Rock Band -- Take what made Guitar Hero such a popular franchise, and now throw in the ability to play drums and add vocals and you've got Rock Band
  • BioShock -- The sleeper hit of the season, BioShock is another 1st person shooter that largely takes place underwater
  • Mass Effect -- Personally I've always been much more interested in RPGs (role-playing games) than 1st person shooters and Mass Effect is the best RPG to hit the 360 yet
  • The Orange Box -- For the bargain conscious, this is the way to go this season. Included are legs of the Half-Life 2 franchise, as well as two other games (Portal and Team Fortress 2)

Ps3_2 The definitive leader of the last console generation, Sony really dropped the ball this time out. They decided to push the technological envelope but, by doing so, made the cost of the system prohibitive. Add to that a scarcity of exclusive titles and the Playstation 3 is playing catch up. But, there are signs of life as Sony has dramatically reduced the price of the system ($399 in the U.S.) AND they have cut the costs of developing titles by 50%. Considering you get a full-functional Blu-Ray DVD player embedded in the system, the $399 price point and better games on the horizon mean you shouldn't forget about this technological powerhouse.

Games for the Season:

  • Assassin's Creed -- A very original game (takes place in 12th century Jerusalem) that is among the most enjoyable and well designed (from graphics to game play to musical score) games yet to hit the PS3. You play the role of an assassin who must undertake different "jobs."
  • Ninja Gaiden Sigma -- This game is a port (i.e., a game developed for another platform and tweaked for the PS3) that works really well. If you've ever had a hankering to be a ninja, this game is your chance

The PC Options

The selection of games available for PCs versus gaming consoles used to be quite different. PC games usually had less playability (i.e., control of the characters, pacing) but were more expansive. But as the consoles hardware has improved, and the graphical processing power of the PCs has done in kind, you will find the many of the best PC games are, coincidentally, the games that get top grades on the consoles.

Games for the Season:

  • Crysis -- From the makers of Far Cry, Crysis is the first game built on their next generation CryENGINE2 development platform. This game is a 1st person shooter pitting U.S. soldiers against North Koreans in the near future
  • BioShock (see above)
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- Call of Duty has been a smash success on the PC for a long time. This go around, the fighting moves into the modern warfare environment. 'Nuff said
  • Sam & Max -- A game that hearkens back to the classic Nintendo games of old. You are on a quest through six distinct missions as you bounce around crazy-animated lands as two "irreverent crime fighters."

Up Next: Books, Comics and Graphic Novels...

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November 25, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A Geek Gift Guide, Part II: At Home Gadgets

Continuing on our journey through the world of geekdom and the gifts that would make us smile, let's now look at some gadgets for the home front.

At Home Gadgets

Slingbox_3 Slingbox -- OK, technically this could've been listed just as easily as a mobile gadget; but since the main device slaves to your home TV system, I opted to put it in this category. The Slingbox allows you to watch your TV/DVR/DVD/etc...from anywhere in the world. You connect the box to your home entertainment system, and then install software on your laptop or mobile device and VOILA!

Audiotechnica Noise Cancelling Headphones -- Having a great pair of headphones to throw on while your playing video games or listening to a podcast; so that your family won't be bothered by the sonic dissonance is always a great idea. And it's a gift that makes the other members of the household as happy as the wearer. There are an enormous array of noise cancelling headphones out there, but for my money, Amazon is having a great deal on a solid mid-range pair: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint

Sonos_2 Sonos Digital Music System -- Sometimes you don't want to keep your audio experiences to yourself, and Sonos has successfully emerged as THE affordable digital audio solution. Sonos allows you to stream your music collection anywhere in your home (well, up to 32 rooms for you big dogs out there). It also allows you to play different music in different rooms; all through an easy and intuitive hand held control. And the solution has evolved to where there are really no acceptable alternatives unless you're going to spend BIG dollars on a customized home networking setup.

R2d2_2 R2-D2 -- Admittedly this might not be the best gift for me (I like Star Wars, but not THAT much); but I stumbled on this while scouring Amazon and, it's pretty darned cool. If your geek has a hankering for Storm Trooper costumes, realistic light sabers and a tattoo of George Lucas, this looks to be your holy grail.

Vendingfridge Portable Vending Fridge -- Stock this with Diet Dr. Pepper and you'll save me about ten trips to the kitchen. This is geeky goodness and I NEED one of these in my home office.

Up Next: We're going to stay at home, and focus on GAMING...



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November 24, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A Geek Gift Guide, Part I: Mobile Gadgets

It's arguably never been a better time to be a geek. Pop culture has embraced geeks and our interests in unprecedented fashion. Many of the biggest films at the box office are based on comic books and sci-fi literature. The world's most important young businessmen wear their geek labels with pride.

That also means it's a lot easier for we geeks to get cool stuff for the Holidays. Everywhere from Amazon to eBay to specialty stores make it easy for our non-geek friends and family to gets us what we want.

In honor of Black Friday (of which I partook happily), I'm going to offer some of my personal recommendation for the cool gifts of the season:

Mobile Gadgets

Tomtom_2 GPS Devices -- the technology has finally crossed the threshold of mass market affordability; which means two things. One, you can get really effective GPS devices for cheap. Two, the current high end devices have a TON of differentiated features.

Ipodtouch_3 Apple iPod Touch (8GB or 16GB) -- Yes, this may be the popular option but sometimes the obvious pick is also the best one. Fantastic battery life, beautiful interface and (still) the best online video/audio store.

Shure Shure SE310 Earphones -- If you want to drown out the noises of the world around you, these headphones are a great way to start. Whether you use them to listen to your iPod on your walk to work or while playing Halo 3 while your family sleeps unknowingly; these little ear buds do the trick. Shure has higher end buds (and lower end), but I think the 310 is the sweet spot for price/performance.

Archos_2 Archos 605 Media Player -- If you travel a lot and want to watch great movies; this device is tough to beat. WiFi enabled, a perfectly sized form factor (screen doesn't cause eye strain, but it's not too big to carry around) and great resolution are all here. One word of caution, splurge on the 80GB or 160GB versions; it's the most cost effective and gives you enough storage to hold plenty of TV and movies.

Jawbone Jawbone Bluetooth Headset -- There are a lot of Bluetooth headsets out there and it seems the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the Jawbone has been getting rave reviews and, having tried it recently, it's hard to imagine a better high end headset if comfort and noise cancellation are equally important.

Up Next: Home Gadgets

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November 23, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Thankful Perspective

My son explained to me the history of Thanksgiving today (he's 4 and loves to expound on just about anything) and during his spirited diatribe, he proudly spoke of the Pilgrims and their "Native American friends" and turkey and corn and "giving thanks." When he was done his tale, I asked him to name five things he was grateful for...

  1. Having lots and lots of toys
  2. Having "the best" parents and a cool little bro
  3. Having a great house
  4. Riding my bike
  5. Our cute kitty cats and doggy

Turkey_cartoon_7380bAs I get older, I find there is wisdom in the simplicity of youth. At their essence, my son's responses speak to things we would all do well to appreciate in our lives:

              • The love of family and friends
              • The importance of enjoying the little things
              • Financial stability
              • A safe and comforting home
              • Our physical and mental well being

The world is a complicated place; and our day-to-day lives can seem stressful and complicated all too easily. Take a moment today and look around you; take it all in. Appreciate what you have and remember that there's always tomorrow to stress about what you don't.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 22, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Reunited and it feels so good

It feels good to be back.

For the sake of my all-too-fragile ego, I'm going to assume many of you noticed I haven't been blogging. In fact, I stepped away from the blogosphere for the entire month of August. What started as simply being a hiatus born out of a lot of real-world developments (more on these later); turned into a cathartic exercise in self denial.

My Problems with the Blogosphere

Truth is, I began to lose my passion for all things blog-related. Writing the blog started to feel more like a job than a way to stretch my intellectual muscles in creative ways. I began to fret that the days I wasn't able to pen something, I had somehow let down my subscribers (many of which are friends and colleagues of some sort). Once I realized I had over 50 half-written blarticles, it just became untenable. But my self-imposed stresses of writing the blog were matched equally by my loss of appreciation for those blogs I was reading.

At the end of July, I had over 600 active feeds coming into my reader. At some point, the collective value of the information began to be superseded by the feeling of noise, redundancy and rhetoric. It seemed like I was reading 50 people's opinions on the credit crunch; and as a result, none felt original. The great voices within the blogosphere were being drowned by the mundane. In the tech world, I began to feel like I was reading the same stories in ten different forms. There are great aggregation blogs and sites which cast a pretty wide net; so why have many of those individual blogs also coming into my reader?

Solution #1: Culling the Wheat from the Chaff

As I type this, I now have 105 blogs in my Google Reader. Down from well over 600. The process was surprisingly easy; and I can't recommend enough the value of pruning your own blogroll. Here were my steps:

  • Walk away for 30 days -- Does absence make the heart grow fonder? I was going to find out.
  • Remove any blog I couldn't remember -- There were blogs in my reader I simply couldn't remember anything about upon my return; they were the first to get the axe
  • Remove any "dead" blog -- Some bloggers just stop blogging (some of you may have put me into that category by now :) ). So anyone that hadn't posted at least once in the last three months is gone [with one exception, Neil!]
  • Remove most aggregation/list blogs -- We live in a long tail world. I'm all for smart people calling my attention to things I might have otherwise missed. But enough already with list blogs. I have my own del.icio.us account. I have my own Technorati favorites. I use my own aggregation tools. So if a person's blog was largely for linking to other people's stuff; it's gone.
  • Remove Valleywag, TechCrunch, Engadget, Scoble -- Given their readerships, I somehow think they'll manage to survive. But the truth is, it's been a long time since I felt I was getting incremental value for the time spent reading stuff that wasn't germane to me.
  • Remove 80% of the financial/investing blogs -- For some reason, I've found far less satisfaction reading about what other investors are doing/thinking/saying than I do reading about what other technologists are up to.

What's left you might ask?

  • The Enterprise Irregulars -- The vast majority of my fellow EIs made the cut; and if there's anything I most regret over the last month it's the lessened frequency of my interaction with all of them both personally and through our blogs
  • Techmeme -- For my needs, Techmeme is the king of aggregation. Gabe hits on the things I care most about; and I never feel like I'm missing out on a major tech story by visiting the Meme a few times a day
  • TechDirt -- Mike and his team are SMART, thoughtful and hard-working people. For my money, TechDirt + Techmeme are basically the perfect daily infusion of what's relevant in the tech landscape
  • SeekingAlpha Alerts -- SeekingAlpha is an incredibly ambitious financial aggregation service that's doing exceptionally well. I've come to know David Jackson (I was a SeekingAlpha contributor in their early days) and think he's building something terrific. SA provides me the tools to get news from the blogosphere that I want, and nothing else. As a stock-specific investor, this is far more valuable to me than the myriad trading oriented blogs I see on so many people's "best of" lists
  • Investment Blogs: Roger, Mish, DealBook, Barry, Ed, AllAboutAlpha, Jeff Matthews -- That's the sum total of my investment-focused blogroll
  • VC Blogs: Brad, Fred Wilson, AskTheVC, Ed Sim, Peter Rip, Paul K   -- A lot of VCs used to be on this list, very few remain
  • Technology Blogs: There are really too many to name here, but they include the ZDNet guys, Eric Savitz at Barrons, Bill Burnham, Sandhill, Om, Marc, Michael, Don, and Ben to name a select few.

Solution #2: Enjoying the Conversation

If I'm to believe my Feedburner statistics, I actually added almost 300 new readers over the five+ weeks I wasn't blogging. I'm guessing that means the key to my cracking the Technorati Top 100 would be to extend my sabbatical for another 17.3 years. :) The point being, seeing that made me remember that my sole reason for blogging is to extend the conversation. I could care less if 50 or 50,000 people read any given post, as long as it a) gets me thinking, b) fosters discussion among my friends and colleagues, and c) invites one or two new people into my sphere of influence that I might never have met otherwise. In 18 months blogging, I've met at least 100 people that I would probably never have otherwise. If I can come away with another 100 over the next 18 months, I've hit the lottery.

But with that realization comes my own "new" self-imposed blogging rules:

  • Sometimes I'm going to have a lot to say
  • Sometimes I'm going to have very little to say
  • Sometimes I'm not going to have anything to say

If there's a subject you want my opinion on, there are ways to approach me. Email always works, or you can leave a comment on my blog, or best yet, you can offer to say hello the next time we're at the same venue.

Alright folks, that's all for now. I'm looking forward to catching up with you all. Although the summer is quiet in many respects, the technology and investing worlds certainly didn't slow down. Time to jump back into the fray and see how my views alter the equation.

September 12, 2007 in Irregulars, Personal, Weblogs | | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Happy 4th of July!

Taken from US History.org

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

July 04, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A jarring dose of reality in Blacksburg, Virginia

Today's news about the shootings at Virginia Tech are a sad and tragic reminder of the fragility of human life. 

There's absolutely nothing that can be said to explain the whys and hows of a senseless act of violence such as this; but it does raise a lot of questions about personal security and what's the right approach. College campuses have historically been a haven for the free expression of ideas and have, generally, fought hard against measures that would be deemed invasive of one's personal privacy.

Will this change things? Should it?

To anyone that is remotely connected to this incident, know that my thoughts and sympathies are with you in what's arguably the darkest day in U.S. collegiate history.

April 16, 2007 in Personal | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Testing: Writing this directly from Word 2007

Just installed Word 2007 on my laptop and am testing the new feature which allows me to post directly from Word to my blog…

How does it look?

April 11, 2007 in Microsoft, Personal | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

The Dark Side of "Social" Media...

I don't know Kathy Sierra personally, but I certainly respect her work as a blogger and feel ashamed that our happy little social media collective otherwise known as the blogosphere has come to this point. For those who don't know, Kathy has been the recipient of lewd and lascivious personal attacks as well as outright death threats.

The outpouring of support for Kathy and the other victimized blogger has been tremendous; which is good to see in a blogosphere that of late seems more focused on protecting one's turf and flame wars than the communal "one for all, all for one" aspects that drew so many early bloggers into the medium.

While I certainly wish Kathy well and hope her tormentors are brought to justice in whatever way the law allows, I must admit some apprehension in blogging about this topic. Looking at Techmeme today, I can't help but wonder if we're doing EXACTLY what Kathy's hecklers wanted in the first place.

Are we feeding the frenzy? There's truth to the adage "never let them see you sweat" and I wonder if the attention this situation garners ultimately does more harm than good?  I hope not.

Blogging is about the conversation; or at least it should be. If stories like this continue to crop up it's going to have far-reaching negative consequences:

  1. People new to blogging are going to potentially be put off from jumping into the blogosphere
  2. Established voices, many of our most intelligent and creative, are going to leave or, at the very least, become less active
  3. The conversational aspects of blogging [i.e., trackbacks, comments, cross-linking] are going to become more regulated

As the reach of social media expands beyond early adoption into near omnipresence, we unfortunately have no choice but to brace ourselves for the darker side of human interaction; or INhuman interaction as the case may be. But let's not let that ills of a relative few curtail the power of the many.

To Kathy and all my fellow bloggers, be well.

March 27, 2007 in Personal, Weblogs | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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