Tech Royalty: When Is Our Independence Day?
by
on July 06, 2008,
Allen Stern has an excellent video up today on Center Networks that highlights one of the most frustrating foundation issues I have with Web 2.0 and social media: for whatever reason, we seem to want to have a monarchy wherever we go.
In the U.S., we have a de facto monarchy created out of the entertainment industry. In the tech world, we have recreated that same A-list worship, which Allen points out.
What confuses me the most about the FriendFeed issue that Allen points out as well as similar issues on other sites is why anyone feels that they need to give that leg up to the Michael Arringtons and Jason Calacanises of the world. Doesn't everyone know who they are by now?
When I interviewed Ben Golub of RSSmeme, I was impressed when he told me how transparent the site was; there's no secret algorithm giving more weight to one site over another. RSSmeme is completely democratic (as far as basing it on Google Reader shared items can be since it's tied to one platform). There's still one thing to note, however: the same tech royalty still floats to the top. TechCrunch is still the most popular tech blog whether they are weighted or not. Mike Arrington and Jason Calacanis and Robert Scoble are still the most visible web personalities whether they are the ones who constantly appear in that "recommended" tab or not.
I'm looking for some new recommendations. I want to find new voices who aren't writing for TechCrunch or Mashable, and don't have 10,000 followers on any social media service. And right now, I don't know how to easily find them. What I most want to see is some service that gives a leg up to the little guy and recommends those people who don't already have that built-in user base. I already know who lives in the castle. Now help me find the chamber maids.
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Opensource 
Michael Fidler 
http://comments.deasil.com
http://vanelsas.wordpress.com
http://broadstuff.com/
http://colinwalker.me.uk
http://bhc3.wordpress.com
http://julianbaldwin.com/blog
http://futureoftheinternet.org
http://broadcasting-brain.com
http://www.loupaglia.com/correlate
http://www.ratdiary.com
http://marketingmystic.wordpress.com/
I am sure you have a few of these already but if not have a look … they might fit what you are looking for as new and interesting.
I tossed a few suggestions your way
Maybe we share this idea of smarter social connexions? http://blog.feedego.com/2008/07/wait-wait-that-was-just-one-feature-of.html
which seem to have gotten caught in your spam trap maybe
I have a list of up and coming voices - remind me to send it over. Lots of good people spending more time exchanging real ideas and less time preening.
thanks Steven. I’ll go find them.
You can subscribe to me
http://friendfeed.com/klecu
or try looking through Scoble’s likes and comments… Just tried that. Maybe not.
Awesome post title!
Some ideas:
1. Ask @louisgray, the Jedi Knight of the “hide” button in FF to share what he does to filter out the loudest noises
2. Continue to occassionally post lists of the most interesting voices that are *not* the loudest or most popular. Also, to post lists of the most interesting Google Reader Shared Items feeds. Of course this can be discovered on FF but often gets drowned out.
I still think there is a role for TechMeme and knowing what are the most popular items. Maybe taking the radical step of “hiding” the A-list is the only way that one can see the interesting but less well heard voices.
Nice take on the situation.
There are some of us that are new voices.
I’m blogging on community building with a focus on community management.
http://conniebensen.com/
I look forward to seeing profy. I know of a niche that loves to blog but is looking for specific features. Let me know when it’s available & I’ll spread the word. We love LiveWriter but it’s not available for mac’s.
Connie
Akesmit behaves pretty strange so a few other suggestions got caught as well. It seems to send comments to spam if they contain links even if the commentator already had a number of comments on Profy.
Want to find a bunch of new voices? Follow me. Now, stop laughing. Here’s why.
I follow 2,967 people. Big deal, you say. Well, if you are following me you’ll see the best of those people anytime I “like” or “discuss” something. You’ll see them as “Friend of Scoble” links. Then, hold your mouse pointer over their names and subscribe to them when the popup comes up.
Do this until you’re tired, then unsubscribe from me to remove me from your view.
Hi Cyndy,
You certainly seem to know what you are doing in this blog atmosphere. I certainly do not. You asked for new content that is not spread all over the place. I’m not sure if it is new content or new voices you are seeking. I would so appreciate your taking a look at what I do blogwise and giving me some feedback. I write about things I think are important, although they may not be useful in this blog world. Please take a peek.
Many thanks.
Smiles,
Sally Huss Email: sally@sallyhuss.com
Blog: http://www.blogher.com/blog/sallyhuss/
Website: http://www.sallyhuss.com/
Scoble, get bent with your fame whoring… “Follow me” is your answer to everything… What’s the solution to the oil price spikes? Scoble : “Follow me and you’ll see the best minds talking about it”… Jeebus.