I just did this quick interview with Matt Thompson to talk about http://deathpanels.org -- a scary-looking piece of journalism he produced this week. It's sort of a healthcare debate FAQ on steroids. In a dark gym. With some death metal playing in the background.
Backstory: At #KNCMIT, Matt, Dave Cohn, me, Dan Schultz, and a bunch of other people were having a hops-fueled brainstorming session one night when we really went into a lot of detail about what a really great page of topical news reporting might look like -- sort of a Drudge Report for one big important issue. I just didn't know Matt would make it look so damn good.
- Ryan Sholin
For a version with fewer skulls -- if you really need fewer skulls in your healthcare reform conversation -- there's always Pulitzer Prize winner Politifact: http://politifact.com/truth-o...
- Ryan Sholin
Well done, Ryan. And impressed with the quick turnaround.
- Jim Santori
@Jim -- As happens from time to time, I was inspired by Scoble's quick call to FriendFeed's founders the other day when the sale news broke.
- Ryan Sholin
I'm just going to bump a comment here so no one stops dead in their tracks after Kevin's link, which I chuckled at when I saw it yesterday.
- Ryan Sholin
So, no one minds a little fact-based activism in their journalism right? What do you think of Matt's disclosures on the About-this-site page?
- Ryan Sholin
Transparent and honest. Just the way it should be.
- Jim Santori
The design is sarcastic, which while entertaining to us may confuse others. (Just as some irony-impaired folks will fail to grasp the Obama-is-literally-Hitler joke.) On the Nightly News that would be a wrong, but here I don't have any problem with it. You don't have to pacify everyone -- online there's a mass audience that WILL get it.
- Kevin Koehler
Please excuse this test. I just want to see if I can add a comment into the widget that appears on the pbs.org site.
- Kevin Sablan
Absolutely. Pretty cool, eh? It's not exactly as full-featured as, say, Cover It Live for real-time conversation (and moderation), but it works for embedding content and a stream of comments anywhere. I think it's just an iframe.
- Ryan Sholin
Yeah, pretty cool. Wish I could add images, too. Of course, this only works as long as FriendFeed isn't flooded by spammy users.
- Kevin Sablan
Must be weird. But I think you'll soon feel right at home. In any case, if I was a regular Facebook employee (other than - say - MZ himself) I'd be in awe. :) (with which I mean that any regular facebook employees who are NOT in awe to see you are plain dumb - just tell them that I said that :P)
- Meryn Stol
I noted Paul's Google shirt as well. I have that one. (And some FriendFeed shirts) So... gang? Facebook shirts are a must!
- Louis Gray
Best technology acquisition Facebook has EVER gotten! We're expecting more greatness - good luck!
- Mike Koss
Alex, no doubt about that. Facebook will be in good hands.
- AJ Batac (/-_-)
You will never have the fun you had in here. But that's the nature and beauty of progress. Keep up the good work. Glad you made it up to here.
- M. Serdar Kuzuloglu
from Android
Step in the building by using your right foot. Its believed to bring luck! (Turkish tradition)
- Jacque
from fftogo
all the best, good luck, enjoy the success and the money :)
- onderkiremitci
Hope you guys can continue the open houses over at Facebook. Those were great fun.
- Hutch Carpenter
Bret: With so many people fearing the worst about FriendFeeds long term future, I'm guessing there's NO WAY you will tell us here, now, if we are wasting our time carrying on as FriendFeed users? ....I'm not gonna get an answer am I
- Jim Connolly
They are yelling that because that is the same chant they would say during the revolution 30 years ago. They do that to make it clear their protests are aimed at the leaders, not at Islam.
- Robert Scoble
btw robert thanks for making CNN realize how much their were failing us.We appreciate it very much that you brought attention to the situation when it was starting to pick up
- Shayan
islamic govt certainly cant ban ppl from shouting god is great; also carrying a koran might prevent you from being beaten in the streets...
- Miko Matsumura
They are saying (from their subconscious): I can call on the bogeyman (that we both know doesn't involve himself in our petty issues) just as much as you
- Greg Marlin
Miko, I'm not sure about the Koran protecting you from a beating.
- Jason Nunnelley
These events are quite different than those we usually hear about coming from mideast. They tend to be about sunni vs. shiite, but this is people vs. government
- Blake
Shayan: my voice was one of thousands.
- Robert Scoble
yes I think it's reasonable to be skeptical of it, but possibly worth a try...
- Miko Matsumura
they can't ban ppl from chanting GOD IS GREAT as they are doing this on roof top so its kindda uncontrolable/ and holding Quran is not that helpful as police or guards and plain cloth forces don't care
- Shandiz
Robert: no. i wish I was there now. kinda feel helpless not being able to do much from here. I was there during the last student uprising (1999) and many died in vain last time. hope it's different this time around.
- Shayan
Shayan, I think it's different than 99 this time. I hope the outcome is, and hope the government avoids bloody conflict -- I should say continued bloody conflict.
- Jason Nunnelley
Shayan: I remember that. That time we didn't have YouTube.
- Robert Scoble
Firk God / Santa Claus if you want to know how to make mayhem, message me and I'll give you the plans we should have implemented when Kenya rigged the elections (Zimbabwe and Iran only exist because the world let Kibaki steal)
- Greg Marlin
the main benefit of the chants is that folks can express their support for the cause without being identified. most families would turn the lights out and start chanting. if you are identified, it doesn't matter what your chant says. you are still in danger. so is your family.
- Shayan
It is such an amazing indication of how incredibly powerful social media is now. If this doesn't open the eyes of traditional journalists, I don't know that anything will.
- Erik Boles
Robert, Shayan: what roll do you expect international attention will play in the conclusion?
- Jason Nunnelley
Jason/Robert/Erik: exactly. I was telling some writer at San Jose Mercury the other day. last time something like this happened all the government had to do was shutdown 3 newspapers to kill the news. this time they are fighting thousands of citizen journalists. This is absolutely amazing...
- Shayan
Shayan -- the peoples voice cannot be oppressed any longer. You hit the nail on the head. it used to be a one way statement, it is now a two-way conversation.
- Erik Boles
there was a video of a woman reciting in the dark "where is this place?" also talking about the volume of Allahu Akbar chants on different nights
- Eleanor Wynn
Jason: the international community's attention helps in many ways especially by putting pressure on the regime's friends such as Russia and China. It also gives people on the ground hope that somebody is hearing their cries. Human solidarity always helps those in peril and gives them more conviction.
- Shayan
Jason: Iran's leadership has lost all respect in the world. Not that it had much but this will have deep impacts for years to come. There will be more resolve on nuclear issue now. Today Neda. Tomorrow YOU.
- Robert Scoble
they are risking their lives, we are just watching intently, it is all we can do
- Eleanor Wynn
Technology is a huge force that tyranny has a difficult time defending against.
- David Damore
because it comes from so many hidden places
- Eleanor Wynn
I believe the informational freedom (note people: freedom is taken, not granted) is most powerful in its ability to spark action in Iran. If the Iranian people stand together, they may create change. It is harder to kill a very large crowd than a single person. However, until recently, my fear was that the few brave Iranians were exposing themselves as targets for the government. With the numbers growing and continuing, they appear more hopeful for real change.
- Jason Nunnelley
Jason: I would suspect you are correct. Initially it was just a protest, then as govt. operatives started killing people, it brought realization to the people of Iran, and they realized they had to stand together, for as long as it takes.
- Erik Boles
Have you read the Peggy Noonan article in the WSJ yet? "Whose Side Are We On? You Have to Ask? - With Twitter's help, the youth of Iran take on the ayatollahs."
- David Damore
David, technology is a tool that catalyzes other forms of action. Talking doesn't topple regimes. At some point people have to develop a plan of action and execute it. What they do, that is a big and scary question. This regime isn't going away any time soon without a big fight.
- Jason Nunnelley
Quoting for the WSJ article: "Half the people in Iran are under 27."
- David Damore
the videos are extremely compelling, more than still, you are there with the person filming and the people being filmed
- Eleanor Wynn
and so many points of view, unlike news where it is the same clip over and over
- Eleanor Wynn
Eleanor: I think that is the really powerful tool here. So many raw, unedited, unrehearsed video's directly from the streets. We have been at the mercy of big news post production for so long.
- Erik Boles
To be precise, it might be too soon to call this a revolution, but in its nascent form, are there any signs of a leadership emerging, or stated principles? FWIW, I feel Mousawi cannot be the true face, unless he is seen as representing the principles of the original revolution
- Aaman (Clone of FF)
The only thing that matters in Iran now is, will the military stay loyal to the govt. Everything else is irrelevant.
- Bob Morris (polizeros)
Robert, Aaman: I'd assume there's some element of justice here as well. The people were granted a vote, told the election results would be respected, voted, and believe now that the government defrauded them. They have a moral standing, even under the most strict of loyalist perspective. At this point, since the government established elections in law, the government broke the law. Now...
more...
- Jason Nunnelley
It's one thing to be angry with your government. It's quite another to know the law of the land is on your side and your government is in violation.
- Jason Nunnelley
Perhaps I don't understand FriendFeed...I see "Here is why that's significant:" but I don't see any link or text after...
- Tony Zito
@Tony Zito: The reason is in Robert's first comment. He posted the topic, then continued with the immediate comment to explain.
- Mark H
The great thing about this whole episode is that it shows that Iran is a country of normal people - makes it very difficult for any future US government to bomb the hell out of it under the 'enemies of democracy' card.
- Martin Bryant
A Prayer for Iran: Out of chaos Thou dost create divine beauty; amidst dire disorder Thou dost plant the seed of harmony that blossoms into sweet Peace. May you be Free. May you be happy. May you realize all that is good.
- Meryl Steinberg
Free spirits cannot be chained - by any force of arms. The forces of tyranny may silence voices but they cannot silence the spirit.
- Lorin Olsen
Of all the tweets one could ever post, this is by far the most beautiful. Thank you for sharing the moment with us so we could celebrate life with you. Congratulations!
- Eric Traub
HOO-RAY!!!! Congratulations, Tamar. :)
- Steven Perez
I will be there in September again. I can't wait to see your baby! And Milan needs more friends. And Scobleizer3.0 needs more mentors! :-) Enjoy every day, it goes so fast!
- Robert Scoble
I don't know you, Tamar, but you still get a mazel tov! (You're on my FF via other folks I follow.) Much health & happiness to you & your family.....
- Alan Mairson
now I ved seen everything on Twitter!
- Diva of Dish
Awesome congrats! I like how you let us know that you, baby AND daddy are doin OK. We know how daddys have a hard time sometimes! LOL jk Congrats to all!
- Manny
CONGRATULATIONS! Yay to the new family!
- Anna Lynn M.
Robert, you're bringing Milan to NYC in October? Nice. :)
- Tamar Weinberg
How did that rumor start? Nope, no Milan to NYC.
- Robert Scoble
oh, no play dates then as I probably won't be traveling to anywhere in a long time!
- Tamar Weinberg
Hey Tamar your baby is "liked" by over 220 people and it's just a few days into this world, not too shabby.
- SteVe "Beefy Miracle" C
Baby boy is resting on mommy's chest as she leans back on a chair updating her FriendFeed. As for the other questions... he doesn't have a name yet. His Bris will be Thursday and we'll name him during the ceremony. The only video the hubby took was me calling his great grandma while the doctor was yelling at me to put my phone down (no, I couldn't actually tweet that I was pushing. I did it as soon as I could!) ;) Weight: 5lb 14oz at birth.
- Tamar Weinberg
Congratulations!!! Awesome news. And yet I'm so freaked out that you're Tweeting an hour after giving birth. Good lord, rest a bit!
- Dana Todd
Welcome to parenthood! Your FriendFeed time is now officially reduced. ;>)
- Larry Hawes
haha Dana, I'm such a computer nerd/workaholic. I didn't even take a real maternity leave.
- Tamar Weinberg
http://www.nj.com/enterta... - network head said Terminator:TSCC cost more than Dollhouse and would have been harder to cost-reduce, so it was more doomed than Dollhouse and "it wasn't an either/or situation".
- Andrew C (✓)
Why can't Direct TV 101 pick up Terminator?
- Amani
What’s this video? Oh, you know, just your typical alt-country song sung in Japanese by two white guys who moved to Japan from Canada a couple of years ago. Wait, what?
It always trips me out to see white guys talk in Chinese or Japanese. (Kinda hot too. Shh.) - http://ernie.tumblr.com/post...
Why and how does the mobile phone play a role in activism in Africa? What makes it be different from other forms of activism? And what are the potentials and challenges behind it? I tried answering these questions two weeks ago at the Medien Jour Fix, an interesting German network around communication and development, organized by MICT. I presented the latest developments around mobile phones in Africa, which did not seem to have been that much noticed in Germany. In most of presentations the radio played a key role as an instrument for media work. I had mused before about potential future trends of mobile activism, but this time I highlighted the differences between the all-purpose-tool, its different uses and its implications. I was curious to do such a presentation on ICT for development in front of a German audience, which was widely mixed with delegates from media, NGOs and scientists. I uploaded my presentation here
- Amy Gahran
Asymmetric follow is why I use Twitter regularly and Facebook much less often. With Twitter’s model, I can find people I’m interested in, whether or not they know me, and learn about them and their lives and thoughts. Others can include me in their lists. You become “friends” with complete strangers over time, by communicating with them (responding with @messages for example), perhaps by mutual following. In fact, Twitter’s wonderful system of @ messages means that anyone can address me - and so I find myself having conversations with complete strangers as well. I actually follow my @ messages more faithfully than I do my planned Follow list.
- Andy Kaufman
"I think bizarre is the right word. I added a paragraph at the beginning of the narrative: "as I write this at almost 2AM, Twitter's real-time search has had a story, a few thousand night owls were up, in LA and around the world, and news was breaking, the kind of sensational prurient goop that Twitter loves, a LA car chase, covered by helicopter. As I write this, Twitter is about 1 hour ahead of Google, that is, Google's latest news is 1 hour behind Twitter's.""
- Dave Winer
Google will always be behind crowd reporting tools like Twitter, until Google finds a way to not just rely on PR and credible news sources. Twitter relies on people, Google relies on technology.
- Chris Frost
Delicious was the first site that introduced me to the social bookmarking phenomenon. There have been many clones since then but social bookmarking has always been Delicious to me. The concept is simple and genius: you can bookmark any page for further reference, quickly find it when you need it using the combination of tags you associated the story with; moreover, you can access your bookmarks from any computer because they are stored online and share your favorite web pages with anyone. It sounds so simple and yet so convenient that it is hard to imagine someone not using it! Of course, like any service, it needs some tricks so that anyone can customize it to match his or her specific needs and personality. Today I am going to share the set of tools that help me make the most of Delicious bookmarks.
- Sasha Kovaliov
Delicious has always been my favorite as I can keep track of RSS of all my favorite tags. Not something easily available in other social bookmark services. I only wish they had RSS feeds for search results too.
- TrafficBug