Saturday 29 December 2007

2007



Its drawing towards the end of the year now and what a year its been - I'll never forget 2007 AD because it came fully loaded with really good people, terrific connections, quality conversation and deeply interesting times - I can't say that about every year. There have been a few turkeys.

All the people I went out of my way to meet this year were both digitally-literate and networked to the hilt. I've been pondering recently that in theory I could go missing, and still feel confident that it wouldn't take me more than a few days to get back up to speed; what's new, where to look, what's interesting, where its developing. I'd probably never ditch Twitter though even if I do try a spell as a Benedictine monk. There's nothing in their rules on a vow of silence preventing an SMS of what I'm doing! 

What am I trying to say? I think this augmented extension of the self through the internet, can provide an ability to repair foolishly untended relationships quite quickly. That I think this nascent network in 2007 is invaluable in terms of digitally experiential relationships, and probably seminal in terms of human relationships. There's nothing quite like meeting the characters behind the keyboard. It doesn't matter about the country or the culture. I think this new social pattern is a different process than say being disconnected from your mates, since you left school and then the internet kicking off and finding Classmates.com or Friendsreunited.com rudely interrupting the illusion we hold of ourselves. The one that we have built in the absence of continuous partial attention reminding us of who we all actually are. I think this says bundles about the difference between the digital natives and the digital immigrants. I find it fascinating that in the future there will be no people like some of us immigrants who have the benefit of both hindsight and I hope a little digital foresight...... But I'm not planning on going anywhere. There's just way too much interesting stuff going on. 

You could do no better than look at Johnnie Moore's recent post about David Snowdon which reaffirms what I think is a profound change for 21st century communications. There is the notion that we are rewiring our brains to do what they always did best anyway; absorb lots of loosely connected information and build a picture from that which equates to a much closer representation of reality than the one that 20th century hierarchically driven monologue and the militantly linear and didactic process that the scientific method dispensed us. Oh shit, that sounds like an intellectually conceited mouthful doesn't it? I do go off on one occasionally. Sorry about that. 

An easier way to understand all this might be to highlight that humans are designed for chit chat. We absorb stuff much better that way. Anyway I didn't know I was going to go down this path when I set out on this post because I find blogging about communication theory a little bit like complaining about the food not being salty enough when the salt mill is to hand. But I am very grateful that some people have been paying attention because I'm (it should be we, but I don't want to sound like I'm aping Wallpaper), are just a little bit chuffed that Punk Planning made it into Campaign's top ten blogs. We're also deeply indebted to people like Rob Campbell from Musings of an Opinionated Sod for showing the rules and conventions that can be broken, while still being able to spot the corporate/agency stench of bullshit from leagues and furlongs away. Opinionated Sod! We salute you :)

14 comments:

  1. so glad to have connected with you this year charles, both in binary and analogue form! here's to more of all of it in 2008.

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  2. So an augmented extension of the self is your excuse for never calling?

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  3. Exactly Lauren. I've still to do the follow up post 2007 part two so keep your eyes open for that one.

    And Doddsy! Less of your lip. Or I'll be on the blower at some ungodly hour UK time while you're still away with the fairies ;)

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  4. Well done charming charles!

    See you in 2008!!

    Fiona

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  5. No Doddsy. It was augmented me.

    Thank you Fiona. I am your biggest fan. Have a cracking night tonight and a terrific 2008. Also can you get your b/f to give me a quick call please?

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  6. Congrats on your elevation to the blogging aristocracy!

    Tip top to see you in person in 2007, looking forward to more continuous partial attention this year...

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  7. Look Rob. I slept my way to the middle!

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  8. And Rob - campaign are so far behind the curve they're only aware of ten blogs in the world.

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  9. Steady on Doddsy. You've surely no idea of the unspeakable acts I engaged with to sneak into the top 10

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  10. Rob said it well ;)

    A good read to finish off blog year 2007 and begin a promising 2008 with.

    Congrats on the 'official' Punk Planning recognition and as Mark put it: "elevation to the blogging aristocracy"!!

    I hope that in 2008, in between our sessions of augmented self extension, I hope that we all take time to build relationships to good old fashioned way as well. Because as you pointed out Charles, there is nothing like meeting the characters behind the keyboard.

    Happy New year!

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  11. Indeed it is Fredrik and thanks for the congrats. Best wishes to you too for 2008. I know you're gonna make a fine contribution in your new venture.

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  12. This is brilliant mate.

    R E S P E C T


    A.

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