Mesh Conferences aside, it seems like an interesting point was raised not too long ago about how important it was to be IN Silicon Valley to be near the movers, shakers, and monied folks. After all, $100 000 high definition conferencing aside, when it boils down to it, you’ve got to press the flesh to seal the deal.
The hoopla around Jason Calacanis proves my point.
There’s a fair bit of linkage going on at the moment because he’s giving a keynote speech at the Blogs Business Summit — an interesting summit that I’d love going to. Sure, there’s going to be a bootleg copy of his speech on YouTube later in the day — but its the second thing this week where something seemed to be happenin’ in the valley that would be cool to take part in (even if I would have to pay to get in :)
The other thing?
The Social Media Club’s RoundTable on Blogging Ethics last night. Held in the CNet offices in San Francisco. Sounds like it was a great time where Mike Arrington dropped by and a great discussion was had about the ethics and the responsibilities of the bloggers, PR folks and more in social media.
So, is Toronto the Blogging Wasteland of North America — no, its not. Yes, I’m a little guilt of hyperbole from time to time (ha ha).
There are some pretty great bloggers here in the T-dot. But with all of the interesting and exciting stuff happening in other parts of the world (west coast) one wonders what one is really missing.
Now, of course the caveat is that it don’t matter if you’re not interested in blogging about social media.
But I guess it does mean without “face time” of conferences and so on — perhaps all of us non-West Coast bloggers may be forced to work over time to get out of the blogging ghetto.
10 Comments
Thanks for the mention, Tony. Maybe we should make this a topic for mesh ‘07?
A big part of the reason for doing Social Media Club internationally and getting out of the Valley is to help facilitate more of that face time – supporting and strengthening the virtual connections that form around matters of mutual interest. Personally, I have been connecting the dots and bringing people together for most of my life, so I just love this stuff. More importantly, I am just blessed to be able to find a way to start making this stuff happen and meet so many great people in the process.
Appreciate the mention, Tony. I guess we just have to have our own conferences and meetups — even if we have to bundle up to do it — and to heck with Silicon Valley :-)
tony – you’re too kind!
canada, and toronto in particular, is far from a wasteland in blogging terms. anyone who was lucky enough to see mathew ingram in action last month would probably back me up on that…
Ed
Rob — I think that’s a great idea. What would the title be … ?
The ghetto-ization of the blogosphere?
Virtual contacts — virtually worth less?
How You Can Blog Even When You Don’t Live in San Francisco
Chris — thanks for stopping by!
Do you think you’ll ever stop by sometime in Canada (cough cough — Toronto!) for any social-media related thingies? (cough cough MESH 2007!)
“Why Toronto is Blogworthy”
“Oh Canada I Blog on Guard For Thee”
?
“Toronto the Good … for Blogging!”
“Better Blogging Benefits Abound Beyond the 49th Parallel?”
“Beer, Donuts and Blogs”
… ?
I had hoped to make MESH last year but had a conflict on the schedule. It would be great to make it this year, especially after meeting Mike McDerment from Freshbooks…
Well, Chris — hope to see you next year then! Its looking to be one helluva party. ;)