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Theory and Practice 3

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Too good not to blog this.

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.

6footsix: high fives for happiness!. (So who needs to wait for Monday for the Monday Video! Besides, I’m at a conference so writing waits for later!) You GO Colleen!!!!

Yesterday through Sunday I’m at the Journalism that Matters Conference, the Pacific Northwest (USA) gathering to “re-imagine news and community in the Pacific Northwest.” So far yesterday 200 of us started to get to know each other in small conversational groups, browsed the work of various media and information groups and organizations (the new Northwest News Ecosystem,) and then more conversations into the evening. Alas, I had to leave in the afternoon as I’m still not 100% after the flu (ick) so I went home to conserve energy for the Open Space sessions today.

It was very interesting to see where people were coming from via an activity called “the wind blows for…” Fewer journalist that I expected, very few working in mainstream media today, but many who used to. Many community activists. Some students. Lots of passion!

The first conversations yesterday were about why we were there and what best possible outcome we might expect. I am not a journalist. I used to work in TV and radio, but not as a journalist. So why did I choose to go?

At least two reasons I’m conscious of and probably more that haven’t raised their little heads yet! First, I sense that how we discover, share and make meaning of our world is critical to our moving forward positively in that world. Right now our media universe is not only changing, but there are some strengths and assets that need visibility and support, and some weaknesses we, as citizens, might not want to support. What role do I have in that? I hope to learn more.

The second, at really the initial reason was because two of the organizers are good friends and I admire their work. So I came to learn from the event itself.

I hope to Tweet and post about it over the weekend, energy allowing. Tweet me at http://www.twitter.com/NancyWhite if there is anything you want me to explore for you.

• Livestream – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/journalismthatmatters
• Tweetstream – http://twapperkeeper.com/jtmpnw/
• Tag – #JTMPNW
• Main Journalism that Matters site - http://journalismthatmatters.org/
• TwitterUse hashtag #jtmpnw to post your comments.
• Twitter Search for jtmpnw
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• Flickr – JTMPNW account
• Flickr – jtmpnw search results
• Conference Wiki
• The JTM Experiment
• Bill Densmore’s Blog
• CityClub
• In Other News Hyperlocal and community news directory