Latest Entries
How To Explain Twitter to non-Twitter-ers
Do you get weird looks when you say you’re on twitter? Do your friends mock you sometimes? I’ve had both of those, and more, happen to me recently. People always ask, what is it? what do you do? It’s hard to make it stick to most, but if you relate it to a bar/networking event, they get the picture.
At a bar there is a room, or eco-system (twitter) at that location. You have the opportunity to talk to anywhere in the room. But sometimes that can be daunting. So what most people do is find a common ground. You hear people next to you talking about a recent game or event and you chime in. BAM, a conversation starts.
Another example
Your friend invites you to a networking event but you don’t want to go because you won’t know anyone. But you go anyway in an attempt to “break out of your comfort zone.” While there in the eco-system, you meet tons of people through your friend. You leave the event feeling refreshed because you’ve met new people, in new industries, and overall new friends.
Twitter isn’t some weird status update, it isn’t telling people what you’re doing. It brings people together. It helps you find new friends, new networks and new opportunities.
When you have to tell a friend what twitter is. Just tell them its one big conversation and any one can join.
Those mentioned in the picture are people I’ve met through Twitter. They are all great friends today. Thanks everyone!
Photo Creds- Its from Flikr. Bear with me I’m trying to find the link since I grabbed the picture so long ago. Holler to @nishachittal for being in the pic. It’s from Social Media Club DC
3 Ways Teachers Can Better Educate Our Youth
Last night I was reading this article. It discusses the ban of laptops in college classrooms across the nation and how computers are distracting students, and ultimately, ruining the teaching process. I politely disagree. We currently are flooded with information from various social sites. Why aren’t educators taking advantage of this?
Meet Them In The Middle
Instead of saying no to electronics, information and technology, educators should learn from them and embed them into their teachings. Everyone uses Facebook, Twitter and a new and upcoming service, FormSpring, so why not implement them in the way we interact and educate students. Here are some ideas.
These articles, one and two, mention the usage of Facebook. From 2008 to 2009, Facebook usage increased 700% from 1.7 billion minutes to 13.9 billion minutes. Again folks, that is BILLIONS. Why aren’t teachers using this medium?
Example
Mr.Doe teaches English II, for 10th graders. His class is comprised of a lot of reading and writing. Mr. Doe creates a Facebook group for his 1st period English II class. In that group updates the page with reading and writing assignments.
Since students already use this medium why not utilize the platform for education? I mean, they are already on it for 13.9 billion minutes. Why not?
Since the Chirp conference, Twitter released their company stats. The biggest one, there are 105 million registered users. Why don’t teachers use this medium to talk with their students, or engage in conversation with them
Example
Mrs. Smith teaches Intro to Public Policy at a University in Awesome. She has a class of 100 students and it’s hard to curate conversation in class. As an assignment, she puts together a twitter chat and assigns a hashtag. She narrates this chat with questions, ones would be too difficult to cover in class, to engage with students, to provide information and to see what they know.
FormSpring.me
This one is a stretch, I’ll admit, but the possibilities are great. On Formspring.me Any one can ask a question, if you a registered user, then your name appears in your question, if not it’s private. The user has the right to answer or delete any question.
Example
Mr. Kersh has assigned a paper due in three weeks to his class. The only problem is the class meets once a week. Instead of students flooding his inbox he creates a FormSpring. He gives out his public URL and tells students to direct any question to the given assignment to this medium. He can then answer the questions, post it to all, and decide which questions to answer and not answer (since 30 students ask the same question).
We are educating our future, so why not keep their attention though current mediums instead of boring them to death with PowerPoint and lectures.
Flikr Creds: Here
Two Ways to Practice Your Writing
Posts on writing tend to start with “The Top 10 Best Writing Resources” or “50 Writing Tools.” I’m here to offer two tips for writing. I use them to practice my writing and to strive for creativity. Both can be seen as abstract exercises but that is where the meat and potatoes are found.
One Word
Oneword.com is a web site that offers just that, one word. You have 60 seconds to write on a word. Write whatever you’d like then voluntarily submit. After that submission you can also see what others wrote about for the same word. The word changes ever 24-hours.
This could help hone creativity and the methodology of your own writing. Think about abstract writing as pulling content from nothing. Creating your own piece of work from a single thought, idea, or in this case, word.
Speak Through Your Ears and Fingers.
This isn’t a web site but rather, your own musical library. A lot of folks have said that listening to music helps them write, it releases creative flows that any other activity cant’. What is being offered here is a new view on musical assistance.
When you want to write but have no topic, turn on your music. Find your favorite song or one that speaks to you. Close your eyes and write what you feel. It isn’t about finding ideas through the songs but take what you feel inside of you and write about it.
Is it worth publishing? Maybe. Is it bringing out the real you? Hopefully. Regardless of the result one can hone their writing skills through other mediums.
There you have it. Two tips, or resources, to hopefully help your writing. If you have any other cool, nifty, or interesting ways to dig into your inner Stephen King share them here.
Picture Creds: Here
The 3 C’s. What Kind of Person Are You?
Since leaving SXSW I’ve realized that there might only be three types of people in the world: a creative, a creator and a combination. Think of new media and social media start ups none were founded by one person. Companies have a tandem or team of people, a mixture of creative’s and creators, helping to reach a goal of fruition.
Creative
These are the folks that continuously pour out ideas. Their brains are incubators for what will be the next big thing. Whether onto napkins in restaurants, in a word document or to telling their friends over coffee, they always have ideas. Some stupid and some genius.
These are the folks that come up with the concepts or purposes for tangible and intangible things. Not to say these kinds of people can’t develop or build their own idea, but this is where root ideas and concepts are born.
Creator
Here are the people that take your ideas concept to reality. It could be a web dev
eloper if you have an idea for an online community. Maybe even someone who understands how to start a small business. It could even be someone who is great with strategy and planning. These are the people who can take your idea and put it in the right path to create a real product or community. These creators also help grow an idea into something bigger and better or smaller and more niche.
Combination
This could easily be a blessing and a curse. They can dream up crazy ideas and bring them to being. They can also help innovate or build on a current product or existing idea. One can make amazing things happen but could easily be overwhelmed with too many on going projects.They have the creative spark and organized mind to make great things happens.
There is nothing wrong with being one of these. As well as transcending from one person to another while mixing attributes, which would make you a combination.
A group of people with a mixture of types is probably best. It helps to bounce ideas off of one another to create something that is #awesomesauce.
What kind are you? What kind do you want to be?
Photo Creds: Pic 1- Google Images Pic 2- Flikr
Embrace Your Inner Pilgrim
photo creds: Flickr
Every time I watch the movie Accepted it gives me a sense of urgency. It brings feelings of a want and a need to do something that I believe in. Not necessarily something that is along the lines of normalcy. Why? Because I want to be that guy that lives his dreams. Not the fabricated lines of conformity and “safety.” Here are a few quotes that give me chills every time I hear the character Bartleby during the closing speech
Bartleby Gaines: “Just because you want us to be more like them when the truth is we’re not like them. And I am damn proud of that fact.”
Dean Van Horne: “Your curriculum is a joke, and you, sir, are a criminal.”
Bartleby Gaines: “You know what? You’re a criminal. ‘Cause you rob these kids of their creativity and their passion. That’s the real crime!…
…Life was full of possibilities. And isn’t that what you ultimately want for us? As parents, I mean, is – is that, is possibilities.”
Why do these quotes mean anything to me? Or you, the reader? They make me really think about where I wanted to be when I was 8 and where I am now. It’s a totally different path than what I wanted. The younger we are, the more creative and unconventional. We don’t live life with limits. We dream big and aspire to be great, until we are told otherwise, unfortunately.
I tend to think about things in this manner. The only limitations that I live by is the day I was born and the day I’ll die. That’s it.
So when you think of crazy ideas that are potentially life changing, DO IT. When people question you or your idea, ask yourself, does that really matter? Am I living for myself or am I living for you?
Think back to when we were kids; the creativity in our dreams, the outlandish yet equally realistic aspirations. Just because we’re older and are in the “real world” it doesn’t mean we can’t live a creative and fulfilling life.
The English probably thought that the Pilgrims were crazy too.
Follow your dreams and your passion to make your own opportunities and possibilities.
Post Without a Title
I’ve met countless people through social networks; all for the betterment of my life and theirs. But there is one connection that stings. It hurts a lot more than one would think, thanks to social media.
It happened in the summer of 2009. I was at a friend’s house sitting on his couch. I noticed I had a friend request on Facebook…
It was my father. This was the first time in my life I’d ever made a connection with him.
A lot of people would find this as groundbreaking; social networks connecting long lost family members and rekindling the values of family relationships. Well, I say to hell with that. I went through a full range of emotions, and the occasional humor cover-up.
Why does it suck? I wasn’t looking for the movie themed reunion, but I would have loved a traditional letter, phone call, or the best, meeting him in person. Facebook basically ripped the reunion to pieces. Throughout most of our messages I couldn’t feel emotions from him or myself. The messages were cold and lifeless.
I’m still dealing. It’s tough, I’m talking to my REAL dad, I’ve never heard his voice and as a kid I’ve only seen one picture. I feel like I’m talking to a complete stranger. I have the opportunity to meet him since he lives around Boston, but I feel like Facebook stole my curiosity.
I’ve never valued face-to-face interactions more than I do now. My story is one that no one should experience. The feeling of a handshake, hug, or kiss is something that shouldn’t be replaced by emoticons and acronyms.
If my interaction could have been reversed, I think the foundation of our still-growing relationship would be a lot stronger, not one that I question.
New York Fashion Week 2010 Recap
Fashion week just ended and unfortunately it was the last time at Bryan Park. Factory PR championed events all last week. None were in the tents but regardless, it was an experience I’ll never forget. I was involved in the Eryn Birnie presentation, and my favorite, Commonwealth Utilities fashion show.
To make this post one of learning and reflection, there was a valuable “lesson” from my short time in fashion PR and living in the city. Creativity is everywhere.
Cliché once again, but I’ll elaborate. The Eryn Brinie show was in their store on Broadway. They took their retail store and transformed it into an elegant space for their presentation. The space was created into a casual, loung-esq space where everyone in attendance could take pictures, view the clothes and have a drink while mingling amongst others. Talk about a soothing relaxing atmosphere, while still presenting an incredible line of versatility and style. Their idea to use their own space rather than renting one worked well. Why not present your clothes in the same place they are sold.
The Commonwealth Utilities show was my favorite. They took a completely mid-construction location and made it into a great venue for their show. Their show was held at the Nomad Hotel. To give you a description it had exposed dry wall and brick, both were not for aesthetic purposes. We were closing doorways and window openings with duct-tape, cardboard and industrial strength, black, trash bags. The hotel was very grungy but it created an atmosphere that focused on nothing but the clothes
For me, I think it created an amazing contrast for the show. The line was clean and well presented; the theme was an officer & a gentleman. Where as the venue was dark, dirty, and half finished, the line was crisp with unique styles. I snagged some video of the show. I filmed everything but the final walk of all the models and the designer, but regardless it was insane. To be in the city less than a month and take part in fashion week was incredible.
Commonwealth Utilities Spring 2010 from patrick johnson on Vimeo.
Social Media Week = Awesomesauce
This past week was by far my best week in New York City. Thank you, Social Media Week.
The week was filled with different panels covering a variety of topics in the online space and how socialized web is effecting current and future media. Listening to panels and going to the insanely awesome after parties was amazing.
My greatest memory was working the door for the Digital Somethings event.
It was the VIP party for SMW on Monday night. Needless to say you needed an invite, and it’s pretty obvious I didn’t get one. Thankfully Damien messaged me asking if I would man the door. I gladly said yes.
What did this do for me? I feel like I showed some important people I’m willing to work. I hope they feel the same way too. Damien is a great guy, who gave me an awesome opportunity. That one doorman gig landed me endless handshakes and introductions. I met Jeff Pulver. JEFF PULVER!!
“The Future of Journalism” was my favorite panel. Thinking about the future of journalism and what it will bring newbie’s and veterans will be interesting, Vadim and Sree created a fantastic presentation that made me question my previous change from journalism to public relations.
All the nights were equally fulfilling, I learned so much from each panel and the people I was lucky to meet. Here is a shout out to all that I met. Why? Because they don’t realize how much this means to a lil’ ol’ college kid like myself. So thanks, to:
David Spinks- thanks for hanging with me most of the week.
These are just a handful of people, so if I forgot to mention you on the list. Please know that your presence still made an impact. Thanks again!
#nowplaying: First Week of NYC
Recently I posted #nowplaying: Soundtrack to My Life. Music plays a huge role in our lives and should be taken into consideration when we reflect on life and events. After rereading my tweets, these are the songs that sum up my first week in NYC:
Mute Math – Electrify – Sort of encompasses NYC — crazy, frantic, fast paced and will fry you if you’re not careful. It has been an intense first week here. When the melody streams into my ears I move quicker and get a nice kick for that morning walk to work. It’s comparable to caffeine for coffee addicts.
Wale – World Tour (feat. Jasmine Sullivan) – I’ve traveled more in the past few months than I have ever before. To top it off, I’ll be doing even more travel in March to attend SXSW. Three different states and eight cities later I’m here in NYC. I’m not quite a world traveler, but I’m getting my fair share of the states.
Lupe Fiasco - Turnt Up – Sort of like Lupe’s “I’m-back-and-harder-than-ever” jam. For me, he comes with the hard stuff, and it’s good. I like the sound and attitude of this track. I feel like I’m Turnt Up with a new attitude since my recent transition.
Mute Math – Progress – A nice mellow tune that sends me back into reality. It is a song that I can wind down to. I can always count on Mute Math to give me great music.
La Roux – Bulletproof - The title is self-explanatory. I’m not saying I’m invincible, just bulletproof; or at least that’s my attitude. Nothing will stop me from achieving my goals.
What songs are you listening to? I want to know. Plus, I love new music, so shoot me some suggestions!