The Sun Sets on Another PME
The Podcast & Portable Media Expo 2006 has come to a close.
As I write this I’m sitting in my hotel room surrounded by random schwag, an award, coffee, piles of business cards, a box of tea and plenty of technology.
I took this picture last night as Canis Lupis, Julien Smith and myself went to get some dinner. We wanted some quiet time and found it at the Porter Steakhouse. It was a big long dinner in which we talked about everything and anything. Next thing we knew everyone in the restaurant had left and it was just us. There is something magical about a three hour dinner with friends. Of course I realized my phone was off and missed a couple of calls to connect with other people. (Sorry Ewan , Dave and Chance)
The PME this year was different. There was a different vibe about it. The best I can think is that it has something to do with the fact that last year we were all new at this. Everything was new. But, it’s been a year and everyone and everything has grown, the industry has expenaded. What we thought podcasting was is not where it is heading and where it is now. What will it be like next year? Who knows.
I met some truly amazing people this weekend. I was not impressed with many of the companies on saw on the expo floor that I did not already know. I did love what Podango did with their booth. I thought it was a great use of the space and a true embracing of the community.
There is something sitting in the back of my head that I just can’t put my finger on yet. Something that might click on the plane ride home or tonight as I drive home from the airport. I don’t know what it is, but it’s bugging me. I hope it clicks.
It was awesome to meet everyone. To the people I missed or we didn’t cross paths in the way we had both hoped I appologize. Hectic and crazy was the name of the game this time which wasn’t fun for me either. My feet are killing me!
My photos make me smile. Everyone elses as well.
We ARE a community. Please don’t ever forget that. Everyone’s success helps everyone else as well. The enemy is big old media and not each other. Sure, we ain’t ever all going to see eye to eye. That’s life. But, when you see the energy, the creativity and the overall ass kicking content that is coming out from around the globe we are a force to be dealt with and all of us are going to change the way media is created and consumed. We have NOT seen anything yet.
Did I stress that we are a community. That’s an important word to me.
October 1st, 2006 at 3:46 pm |
Seeing your pictures on Flickr and reading this post really makes me sad that I let my Podcasting community down by not attending. I hope you raised one for me. C.C., you do an incredible job of putting words, images and music to something most of us never see. It’s an amazing gift. Thank you.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:00 am |
The first year was special in a way that can never be duplicated because it was the first. But this year because of already established in-person connections made last year it was almost better in a way. For many new podcasters I met, this was their first year and they were feeling some of that “first time” magic. Either way, as I told someone on the last night, this IS the golden age of podcasting and we need to really stop and appreciate how lucky we are to be living in and creating this golden age. Make sure you really soak it all in. Someday when podcasting has fully become the new media, your grandkids will be able to say, grandpa was there when it all started.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:28 pm |
Have to disagree that it’s a community– it’s a society. In that society are communities, yes. Podcast creators and podcast listeners both form communities that are so tremendously large, it’s almost as quirky as calling the Internet a community.
With so many diverse cultures and beliefs and cliques and offerings, I can’t see a single community anywhere. And when the complaining ramps up, I see factions. Completely different approaches and belief systems.
You live in Boston, and I live in Silicon Valley– you are not part of my community and me, yours. We might be able to say ‘american community’, but so many different issues affect us. And wanna go more extreme? What about Berkeley vs. Crawford, TX?
Heh. Just a couple spare coins to start the week.
October 2nd, 2006 at 3:45 pm |
Can always count on you Eric for some input and your right that perhaps I am using the wrong term. I’m not sure.
I just know that I want to feel a little more collective work towards a common goal. I think even when people don’t agree they can work together and some forget that.
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:57 am |
But how aout the community CC. I agree with both you and Eric-his definition somewhat more semantical than yours.
I really sense in this posting you were in a very relaxed but aware state and wee speaking quite candidly. Also your blog writing is improving. Nice posting.
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:57 am |
But how about the community CC. I agree with both you and Eric-his definition somewhat more semantical than yours.
I really sense in this posting you were in a very relaxed but aware state and wee speaking quite candidly. Also your blog writing is improving. Nice posting.