Bubba asked a question deep in the comments of another blog. I moved them here with an invitation of snark-free conversation about ConvergeSouth.
Bubba’s question:
[Sue wrote] “Why not enumerate your reasons and let’s have the conversation with particulars and not unsubstantiated generalities?”
[Bubba] Why not do it right here, Sue?
First, let’s talk about “building community” which has been suggested as a motivater and a goal for Converge South. What’s “building community” mean to you?
Again, I moved the conversation here because it’s top-level and this blog has unrestricted comments. Reminder: I will remove or edit nasty or profane comments because I’m the judge and jury here.
“Building community” has not been one of our primary motivators about ConvergeSouth, nor do we include it anywhere near the top of any grant request. Defining “our” is collective opinions of the conference organizers who change from year-to-year but include a two-year core trio of Ben, Ed, and me. There has been significant input into the conference from a diverse group including reps from the N&R, A&T State University, the bloggers meetup group, and several other individuals who have offered input.
The ‘motivators’ for ConvergeSouth are and have been:
- From the 2005 CS Web site (offline): ConvergeSouth, the South’s first free conference focused on moving North Carolina toward breakthroughs in creativity and diversity on the Internet…ConvergeSouth focuses on radical digital publishing and entertainment.
- ConvergeSouth will focus on journalism and multimedia “web blogging� for everyone. Additional ConvergeSouth features include a nationally-known keynote speaker, multimedia and music in multiple downtown venues to which the entire community is invited. [Note: in 2005, we didn't get a nationally known keynote speaker and we dropped the nighttime keynoter from our current plans.]
- [From 2005 press release] One of the conference’s goals is to ensure that Greensboro, which is at the center of national news for its bloggers and citizens’ journalism efforts, has individuals who will volunteer to lead sessions at the conference.
- Free of charge due to generous local and national support, ConvergeSouth is open to all journalists and new-media enthusiasts; college and university faculty, staff and students; elected officials and candidates; and the citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County. [from a press release]
- To showcase Greensboro as a tech-friendly city and raise it on the radar of companies thinking about moving or growing here
- To highlight and enjoy Greensboro’s growing downtown and support downtown economic development efforts
- To grow the music scene in Greensboro through nighttime music-related activities
- The tagline: Creativity on the Web for all people
Now, let’s not say we don’t want to build community. But building community, which you chose as your first point, simply wasn’t a primary motivator for the conference. I’d enjoy reading your comments about the above-enumerated primary motivators and invite the community to join in.
This “top-level” conversation began on the “another blog”. In the interest of building community, please note that the (local) blog in question belongs to Dr. Mary Johnson (a Pediatrician who maintains a home, if not a practice, in Asheboro), and is, in fact, a blog that Sue does not read or link . . . even though in the beginning she fancied herself a proud “blogger-Mommy”.
O well. I suppose I should be grateful for the transfer to a higher plane of blogdom.
I am in the blogosphere for a rather unique reason (one would think a techno-geek story in and of itself). I’m here looking to right a series of wrongs . . . wrongs that can now only be righted by bringing public attention and scrutiny to bear on people who (1) abused the public trust and/or (2) have not done their jobs.
Also, in the interest of contributing to “community” discussion, I came to the blogosphere on the invitation of the N&R’s John Robinson (back in February 2005 – the day after my Father died). He told his readers that “one voice mattered” and blogging would help get stories previously ignored by the local MSM their due. But one would not know that by the treatment I and my story fo woe have received by GSO blogger royalty.
And yes, I (like many bloggers) moderate comments on my blog. We can make our own rules . . . remember? I am weary of the snark myself. Like Elizabeth Edwards, I do not sit by the computer 24/7. And blog-stalkers don’t get to leave nasty “last word” comments without my knowlegde and immediate response (be it deletion or verbal sparring). I am sorry that does not fulfill the needs of some for instant gratification or oneupmanship, but I’m a practicing physician and you don’t get to call me a “whack-job”, and not have me whack back.
For the record, I have not edited a single comment on the thread that birthed this one (although I’ve had to warn Roch twice to curb his tongue). It is my opinion that the conversation should have stayed where it started – rather than get hijacked.
Here’s another suggestion for the New Year, Sue (to add to the one I previously gave you). Perhaps you SHOULD read my blog. You might learn something about how the world really works . . . in both medicine and law.
Journalism too, for that matter.
I’m going back to my blog now. Won’t be back for this thread. I’m not sure I’m going to read your blog anymore.
To correct what you wrote, Mary, I did link to your blog in the post above. Therefore, your comment, a blog that Sue does not read or link is incorrect.
There is a huge chasm between upgrading a post and “hijacking” (your word) it. I upgraded. Can’t understand why you don’t take that as a compliment but am ceasing to try to figure it out.
I’d like to hear what Bubba has to say, though, about the topic-at-hand, that is, the frank discussion he asked for in your blog. Bubba?
ConvergeSouth 2006 was awesome. Rusty and I had a blast. I have to admit, I was skeptical about these kinds of “unconferences” before I attended any. Once I did, I realized what all the fuss was about. The value of meeting people IRL and having face-to-face conversations should not be underestimated. I think it is hugely important, and that was the most valuable thing (in my opinion) about ConvergeSouth.
Busy day. The comment was correct in the context that I was referring to your blogroll, Sue (you and Roch must be related). For the record, you’re not on mine because I am not tech-savy enough to make the roll link more than it has right now. But as it stands, Ed might be coming down soon.
“Upgrading”? My, my. We do have a high opinion of ourselves.
As a matter of simple common courtesy, the correct move (to make what you did here seem like less of a “highjack”) would have been to say . . . “Bubba asked a question deep in the comments of Dr. J’s Housecalls”.
I can’t speak for Bubba, but I bet he feels the same way I do. The best way to walk the community talk was to continue the conversation on my blog. It’s clear you’re not ready to hear legitimate criticism of (1) the marketing and (2) what happened at your event this year (which, in reference to the topic at hand, did NOT bring rain PR on the city).
I am sorry for it.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If the handfull of desenters who are constantly whining that the local “blogging elite” aren’t giving them their fair shake then they are free to start their own group. I even told them they could start their own group and still be a part of ours. What have they done? Nothing but complain. Fact is: they’d rather bitch than be part of a community. They are unable to grasp the give and take required to maintain community are are outcast not by the blogging community but by their own choice.
I mean really, locally we’ve been hearing this crap for over 4 years. Conservative and liberal they come online thinking their cause, their problems or their opinions are somehow bigger, more important, or perhaps unique when in fact it’s nothing new. Some learn the truth and become some of our biggest supporters and some remain ignorant of reality.
For some: once a troll always a troll but for the few who grasp the concept positive changes can come.
They come, they go, some stay, but in the end we prevail anyway. That’s why Blogsboro is the most successful blogging group in the world.
And for anyone to question Sue’s motives for ConvergeSouth… Well, I’ll not use that sort of language on Sue’s blog.
Thanks Billy – and Happy New Year to you, too!
I think I’m going to take up JR’s creed: “One of my resolutions, I think, is that I’m going to respond less frequently to the commenters on this blog who don’t add much constructive to the discussion.”
I invited Bubba to discuss this. If he chooses not to, well, that’s fine. Mary’s comments are off-topic and not moving this particular discussion forward. Last thing I need early in the a.m. is being lectured by someone who’d rather complain about my blogroll than ask for some assistance in updating her own (which this blogging community would be happy to provide).
Mary, please stay on-topic or take the discussion off my blog (or I will be forced to do so).
“Off-topic”? Sue I STARTED the conversation. You moved it here.
Billy, what part of “I had just had surgery and could not attend”, do you not understand? What part of I extended my medical leave to have MORE surgery do you not get? Blogsboroing has not been on the list of things to do these last four months.
My comments about both the marketing (which amounted to an Edwards’ pep rally) and what ulitimately happened at this year’s converging (the mass-leak of the RMA report – which brought NO great honor or accolades upon the city) are most certainly “on-topic” (even if you don’t want to hear them).
Consider this, BOTH of you. I came to this blogosphere for help. Perhaps it would be easier for me to engage your community (i.e. occasionally make the trip up to Greensboro to “converge”), if I could regain my foothold at home. I make my living on the road . . . after seeing my life/career derailed by people who abused the public trust . . . people who have not been held accountable.
I am sick of being (snobbishly) lectured on “grasping” the positive, when most of what I have experienced is decidedly NEGATIVE (especially from the journalists who cover this area AND the blogging elite . . . not to mention one Presidential candidate you can’t stop gushing over).
If you don’t want we “trolls” who have felt disenfranchised by your online community to say what we think, I would suggest that you modify your act. Change my mind.
I’m not going anywhere.
Mary, basic blogging (and interpersonal) etiquette does not allow for tolerance of trolls. Dissenting opinions, sure. Heated debates, of course. But personal attacks, insults, and condescending remarks? Nope.
I attended ConvergeSouth 2006. Not being a blogger at the time, and not knowing anyone in attendance, I was hesitant to come. I just thought it wasn’t an event for non-bloggers such as myself (after all, the tag line was: “You blog. Don’t you want to do much more?”).
I’m glad I came. I enjoyed the sessions I attended — Elizabeth Edwards, the Scobles and Jim Rosenberg — and I think it is fair to say that if I hadn’t attended, I wouldn’t have worked up the nerve to start blogging myself. So, ConvergeSouth can, in a sense, be credited or blamed for the blog I’ve concocted.
One thing I’d suggest (as I’m sure there are others who are readers and sometime commenters who may be hesitant to attend because they aren’t bloggers): a session for the blogging novice or potential blogger. The Scobels’ and Jim’s sessions were helpful in this regard, but i was thinking something more rudimentary — you, know, blogging-for-idiots-type stuff.
Anyway, I am thankful for the work that you and others have put into providing this resource and I hope for its continued success.
We’re occasionally asked for “blogging 101″ sessions and did them twice at ConvergeSouth 2005. Ed has mentioned, and I sort of agree, that “blogger cons” are a thing of the past. Blogging itself is easy (technically) and mostly free. People seem not to be on the “I don’t know how” level anymore; rather, they’re on the level that wants to add photos, video, audio, new stuff, use YouTube, manage Flickr and answer “how do they do that?” questions.
I’m happy to visit with you for some personal “how to” stuff – I’ll trade it for a latte and $50,000 for a new kitchen. (I’m cheap :) Aw, forget the kitchen. Just get in touch.
We’d love your input for CS2007 – what type of hands-on session would benefit you? Can you give it a title, now that you’ve got some blogging under your belt?
Doctor Mary said: “Billy, what part of “I had just had surgery and could not attendâ€?, do you not understand? What part of I extended my medical leave to have MORE surgery do you not get? Blogsboroing has not been on the list of things to do these last four months”
The fact that you couldn’t attend is a non issue. The fact that you attack an event with absolutely NO knowledge of the facts IS an issue. You weren’t there, we all know you weren’t there, you admit you weren’t there and yet YOU, DR. MARY JOHNSON make accusations as to the motives for the event and what conspired there.
Frankly I’ve had enough of your nonsence. Go crawl back in your hole I’m done with you.
Note to Billy: Do. Not. Feed.
Sorry, I was practicing JR’s technique. Didn’t work.
Note to Sue: WAY TOO LATE.
Billy, allow me to “crawl out of my hole” (not personal at all) and respectfully repeat that the FACTS speak for themselves. “Cheerleader” marketing that fawningly focused on the wife of one Democratic (let me make sure I spelled that right so nobody fights over it) perpetual Presidential candidate . . . AND a confidential police report splattered all over the ether.
I remind you, Sue. You RESIGNED your post at GSO 101 over that.
Amber, “nope”, no name calling allowed, but calling people “trolls” . . . not to mention “wack-job” (Fec apologized) and “batshit crazy” (I guess we simply cannot tolerate Ed) . . . is just FINE.
Then there’s bashing people who did not go to Converge South (in part because of the “marketing”) who point these things out.
You’ve got a year to think about what happened this year and clean up the aspects of the act that got you into trouble. I sincerely hope you do.