The Buzz Bin

May
06
2008

Thoughts on the Echo Chamber

echochamber.jpg

The echo chamber can wear on more experienced bloggers. Saying the same things over and over again can turn into Chinese water torture. Sharing the same links over and over in multiple networks can be worse (image by wetwebworks).

For me, it’s important to move forward, break new ground, or just perhaps add a new wrinkle to the equation. Ending the Now Is Gone blog was partially a decision to not to repeat the themes of the book over and over again until they were beaten into the ground.

Here on the Buzz Bin, my contributions tend to be much more on latest developments, trends and impact. It is a place to innovate.

Yet at the same time, a recent conversation with PR Squared’s Todd Defren reminded me how important it is to keep newer minds educated, to offer refreshed discussion of old topics. Here is what Todd had to say (note: there is a bonus question on aggregating content/fractured conversations included in the video).

Todd offers a great point. I totally respect those who stay committed to serving the newly indoctrinated. It’s a service that benefits the entire industry. Giving in this sense should be honored.

At the same time, for me the beat marches on. The contributions made through Now Is Gone were extremely substantive in effort and thought. In its wake there’s a desire to focus on the new, and not the old. Perhaps things will change, or new wrinkles will appear. In either case, it’s apparent that the echo chamber may not be for all, but that it still serves a very important role.

This week Qui Diaz will blog on Wednesday, and Larissa Fair will pick up Friday’s post.

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by Geoff Livingston | Blogging, Geoff |

4 Responses to “Thoughts on the Echo Chamber”

  • Steve Woodruff Says:

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:25 am

    Geoff,
    I agree that it always time to push forward. And, it’s always appropriate to help newcomers get up to speed on the basics. The “echo chamber” we need to avoid is simply talking to ourselves. If we can avoid an excess of mutual back-patting and steer clear of posturing, all will be well…

  • Dennis D. McDonald Says:

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Geoff, I rarely follow blogs based on books and have no experience with Now Is Gone. However, is it possible that blogs based on books — by definition — tend to generate more “echo-chamber effects” than other types of blogs?

  • Lindy Dreyer Says:

    May 6th, 2008 at 11:29 am

    I can only imagine the fatigue you must be feeling. I’m one level up from nubcakes and still, I feel like I’m saying and hearing the same things over and over again. But I believe that somewhere out there–among the new voices and the people who are still getting up to speed–are important ideas that will advance this conversation.

    Besides, if Hillary and Obama can say the same thing 5 times a day, day in and day out for months on end with the same reporters reporting on it…then we can certainly endure. ;-)

  • Geoff Livingston Says:

    May 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Steve: Amen.

    Dennis: That may be a very valid point. Especially since Now Is Gone was sourced through different blogs last year. Basically same stuff for a whole year. No wonder I am sick of it!

    Lindy: You nailed it on the head. I think I’m tired. All for good though.

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