We are into day 3 of Journalism that Matters, Re-imagining News and Community in the Pacific Northwest. (Hashtag on Twitter and Flickr #jtmpnw). I’m blogging from the opening circle – which feels both “in the moment” and perhaps disrespectful to be tapping away at my computer while others share their thinking of our conversations to date. The shift from wondering, divergent thinking, possibility (and probably some grief) is starting. More comments about action. I’m inherently interested in action.
Yesterday I did a small graphic recording of the session on “Disturbance, Disruption and the Artist” – I like this because I listen more than talk, and those of you who know me, I like to talk. There again was this strong sense of “wanting to stay connected” and I kept feeling like I needed to add a disturbance.
The disturbance I suggest is that we find the continuum of inward connecting to like minded people and share initiatives all the way to the outward facing, networked action which throws each of us connecting outward, not inward. Balancing the closeness and connection of community with the wider possibility of “infecting” others with journalism that matters by forging outward.
We need both.
The second thing that struck me in that session was the idea of a game to connect communities and news. The meme of play with it’s joy, challenge, cooperation and competition keeps coming up in every domain I touch upon. So now, today, I’m wondering what such a game would look like. What do you think? What sort of game would weave journalists and community members into a functional news ecosystem?
A few other comments from the artist session resonated with me.
- The relationship between the artist/the artful person and the journalist being a key nexus. Love the idea. Love the term “artful person.” It feels like it opens more doors.
- The “layer” of possibility. mmmm…. yummy and I’d like to think and visualize more upon this one.
- Voice and identity – these always show up. Are we listening?
Finally, in the third session of the day I fell into a very pragmatic group on wikis. I was immediately at home and swept into the conversation. Clearly I have a bias for action. 🙂