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Its potential is clearly there, but it's not been turned into reality yet. Saying otherwise is silly.

It will exist when it's quoted in old-style media.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:48:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, your experience of thinktanks is different from mine. Being quoted in the old style media is not what I regard as Mecca. I believe that bit is relatively easy if you understand how the media works. That's what I do for a living.

But bringing about change in the audience is a whole different kettle of whatever takes your fancy.  Old style media are, unfortunately, old style. In the billions of words written every day, an LTE here or there is irrelevant. It may satisfy your own needs for communication and recognition, but that is a monologue, IMO, and the common failure of most of my clients in equating exposure with influence.

The true value of thinktanks is thinking. That is what we do and it is a reality. What is not yet a reality is how to translate this thinking into change that is perceptible to a large mass, such that it might have political impact. If we could apply more open thinking to this little conundrum, we might find more common ground. The solution is unlikely IMO to be old style media. Although, as I have written elsewhere, a literary agent could secure income for ET.

You have written elsewhere about your lack of knowledge about IT. This is a problem. The solution (though I don't know what it is, but have some ideas), lies in this very channel that we are using at this moment.

The thinktank exists as it accepts that it is primarily in new-media - not old.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 05:36:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
You always talk about all the things you know about and all that we could do if we had your knowledge. We obviously don't, but you won't share it, and you won't do anything yourself to translate ET's potential into actual consequences, even those that you personally think are more relevant.

I thought you considered ET to be a collective entity - why do you seem to be expecting me, or any of the gnomes, to do the work? Why aren't you contacting that agent and bringing the options s/he will provide here on ET for these to be discussed? Why don't you put your ideas on the table? Why don't you make these things that you consider so valuable and important actually happen?

So forgive me if I ignore you or am skeptical - you asked for it with your inaction and/or superciliousness.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 07:32:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Sven's comments that got you so riled up are rational observations that contribute to this particular discussion. Supercilious - you should reconsider the use of that word - not to mention the spirit in which you used it.

As to ET Thinktank - you may remember that I have supported this idea for months and have stated that I will put $100 per month into the project. I used to suggest Migeru as the first employee, but, since he has a job now, I recommend Helen as an archivist/coordinator.

Concerning form - the comments, as in past discussions of this issue, are diverse but contain alternatives that could be organized for further discussion and decision by you, or the FPs, or the membership-at-large. This could be Helen's first task.

paul spencer

by paul spencer (spencerinthegorge AT yahoo DOT com) on Tue May 13th, 2008 at 11:16:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, apart from the obvious 'people who live in glass houses' paradox of your first sentence, my main reason for not persuing direct ET benefits in my normal work is that I am reluctant to have other people speak on my behalf. That does not stop me from incorporating many of the elements of ET arguments that I believe can bring about change for the good. Yes, I steal.

I work all the time with projects that might bring about change à la ET. I spend a lot of time with your basic taxi driver, your shop assistant and your laundry lady. I lke these people. They make happiness in my life.  And I will do only those things that I believe will ultimately benefit them or their offspring.

Sounds crazy, I know - but these are the people that will call the ambulance when I have a heart attack. These are the people that assist my life, and i try to assist them.

Yes, I am for ET, but you don't really need me, yet. Like some others here, (and I am a very minor partner in their endeavours) I believe that a fairly radical stance is needed and WHEN that stance is established, it needs to be communicated - in terms that everybody can understand and why. That is probably my unique skill - if you need it.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu May 15th, 2008 at 04:34:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Thanks for that answer. I understand your position better, and your offer is valuable - and will likely be extremely useful at some point.

As they say "watch this space"!

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Fri May 16th, 2008 at 08:32:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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