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quick thought... November 1st, 2006 - 1:24AM

Sandy Carmany: […] “I don’t consider this secondary investigation as an “obsession” or a witch-hunt. For all intensive purposes, this effort had ended until a gift-wrapped package with a big bow dropped right into the city’s lap — the posting of the RMA report on line — which gave forensic experts the ability to determine which original copy of the report had been copied and pictured there.” […]

quick thought... November 1st, 2006 - 12:24AM

Andy has some news about a free Nov. 3rd screening of Greensboro’s Child.

rolling with the po-po...

The Troublemaker has posted a memo from City Manager Mitch Johnson to City employees.

Johnson makes a clear case for what the situation was prior to hiring RMA, why he hired RMA and where the current follow-up (SBI) investigation stands. Johnson also makes it crystal clear that David Wray chose to resign instead of squaring the findings of the RMA report against his own word to Johnson, elected officials and the public.

As for the current SBI investigation, who knows if it’s focused on James Hinson or any other number of officers within the department. I have no skin in that game, except that if anything sticks, I hope it’s to less officers than many and that the infractions are minor in nature.

Historically, the GPD has a sullied reputation, but I’d much rather be able to trust my current police department than not.

Who wouldn’t?

Now that I’ve read the RMA report and have this update from the City Manager, I’m comfortable waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

Give it three months folks. The rumor mill in town is beyond annoying, approaching ridiculous. We’ll all have a chance to throw our arms up in disbelief once the details of this final investigation comes to light.

quick thought... October 30th, 2006 - 11:13AM

I’m busy working on a presentation for the Zecco team, which will happen this Thursday morning at their company outing in Palm Springs. Since they’re trying to flip the online brokerage market with free trades and 2.0ish community research features, I’m dipping into references from David Weinberger to services like Newsvine to past posts of my own. I’m not a polished public speaker, so hopefully presenting to a company of 45 feels more like a team of 15, rather than like a corporation of 250. So, bottom line: no more emails today! ;-)

October 29th, 2006

Mr. Smith Goes To The Press

an afternoon at the press...

John Smith and I met last Friday afternoon, as I worked out of The Press (Wine Cafe) across the street from my home/office. We rapped about driving in NYC, women, music… dude was just real and at times, a riot.

I think I caught him in the above photo thinking about whether or not he could retain his manhood while drinking beer from a frosty glass. That entire conversation killed me, because as he vociferously defended the mechanics of the bottle and the presentation of “guy” it projected, he had a slice of lime swirling around in his beer bottle.

Heh.

Meeting cool locals like John isn’t the only new thing happening across the street. The spot has quickly become both my office of choice for calls & non-design intensive work (the WiFi connection is really strong) and my default lunch spot (Turkey Panini, chips and a coke, gracias). And while I wasn’t quite digging the music much before, the vibe has begun to shift a bit.

First of all, the live shows — what I’ve caught at least — have been damn good.

They had a solo, acoustic act a few weeks ago; the guy moved smoothly from Stevie Wonder to Mark Cohn to Neil Young and sounded amazing. Last week, I stumbled in on the Thursday night show and people were cuttin’ up the rug by the sofas. And this past Thursday, I swear the senior member of the jazz quartet couldn’t have been any older than 24… and their improv was as sick as their flow was tight.

Greensboro talent representing.

My only real complaint of the day to day experience — the CD rotation — has changed a bit as well. I just don’t know if Mike and Aaron know about it.

I’ve been slipping the staff mixed CD’s with jazz, hip-hop and electronica, shifting the vibe a bit from the afternoon elevator jazz we’ve had to endure this past month. The vibe is definitely still jazzy, but there’s now some freshness to the mix. I’m hoping that down the road, the guys invest in some form of a jukebox solution, something that customers can influence at no cost.

Until then, it’s all good.

quick thought... October 25th, 2006 - 5:30PM

Rev. Cardes Brown: “There’s a desire for resolution through discussion… There are strategies that can be employed that would say that we’re a divided city… If we’re not a part of the community, then we’ll form our own community.� Romallus Murphy added, “It’s not a black problem. It’s a problem directed at black people. Greensboro is going to have to address that problem.�

October 18th, 2006

Blue Column On Tate Street

tate street, greensboro
(photo by happyrobot)

quick thought... October 18th, 2006 - 2:59PM

Joe Guarino: …”The labeling of it as a “black bookâ€? inflamed racial sensitivities, and RMA followed this pattern.”…

Artist: De La Soul
Song: Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)

==========

DOVE:
I’m buggin’

POS:
E-ghostbusters

DOVE:
Mercy, mercy, (ego trip, ego trip)
Mercy! (ego trip, ego trip), Mercy!!!

MASE:
Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!!
Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!!
Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!!
Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!! Aaah!!!

DOVE:
Yep, yep big trucker man’s rollin’ in town
How ya do, how ya do
I got the joints to make ya…(JUMP!)
Because I’m headin’ eastbound
Tired of the merry go round and around
And everybody’s talkin’ bout you’re so funny
But they still tellin’ lies to me
I got the trees in my backyard
And it’s hard for them to tell a lie to me
And who’s the foot, I’m the foot but who’s steppin’
(Ain’t no half steppin’)
You know where I’m steppin’
Skirts play wit it cause I’m slick like that
I’m the greatest MC in the world!!
You gots to gimme gimme mine cause I’m heavy when I weigh it
Watch the way I say it (ego trip)
Change my pitch up, smack my bitch up
I never did it
The flavor’s bein’ butt but brothers ain’t gettin’ it
Get it; or else you’re a goner
When I rolls over ya gonna have to wanna lamp
Cause it’s the chattanooga champ
Takin’ a train…Takin’ a train…Takin’ a train…Takin’ a train…

POS:
Now I’m somethin’ like a phenomenon
I’m somethin’ like a phenomenon
Well I’m the hourglass cat
Drug it out of jack

DOVE:
For jill

POS:
Cause I spilled the phenomenon
Pack the holes in my lawn
The girls in my saun[a]
Word is born I’m a livin’ phenomenon
Well I’m a better brand cause I’m a superman
I run the block with my circle cause I’m nubian
I got the platinum rust, so don’t even fuss
Cause DJ Paul, he’s down wit us
Now people stop takin’ my stylin’ for a joke
I don’t sassafrass I put the foot up the ass
Sometimes I’m fast, blow off like a seal

SHORTIE NO MAS:
When they reminisce over you

POS:
For real
Mase chopped the record down to the bone
And now Renee King is on my telephone
But I got the Ring Ring Ha Ha Hey Hey

SHORTIE NO MAS:
Cause this type of shit it happens everyday

POS:
I got to make me a connection so my imports stuff
(WORD!) Wo, word ‘em up
Cause I’m so fly…

DOVE:
Yes on and on
I’m ins like (?) go buy my yacht
I got Gills like Johnny
Sail at 7 elf (well good for ya)
Bigger than bigs, dig it (I dug it)
Ways that amazes popes
I am the is equals is cause it’s caught up
When the tides taught me the ropes
No weights for the baits (man I’ll give you four)
For a verb unheard of (man gimme one more)
Alright you got it if you’re special
With a dapper toe tapper when a lot’s goin’ on
(And ain’t a damn thing happenin’)
The answer to the riddle is me and here’s the question
Who can be (fresh)
Who can be (dope)
Who can be (nice)
Who can be (beautiful)
Who can be (word)
Who can be….

POS:
Me be the Jericho turnpike bandit
Yes competition try to troupe my way
I sing the song you never heard before
I feed the famine in your mind
So mind ya manners baby
I run a line on ya
Lay ya on the springs then sway ya
All this and a condom cause I be a taxpayer
Promotin’ of a moccasin I skin like Danny Boone
When I swallow hear the (gulp)
So give me room just give me room back the hell up

SHORTY NO MAS:
Back the hell up
Know what I’m sayin’

POS:
Or when I run the mic there won’t be no delayin’
Pressure 40 does it like a Easy Bake oven

DOVE:
Blues got the muffin

SHORTY NO MAS:
Eat it

DOVE:
Blues got the muffin

SHORTY NO MAS:
Eat it!!

POS:
Intoxicate many wit my talk without intoxicatin’ myself low
So I gots to walk slow but…..

DOVE:
Don’t you get too hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh
(Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,
Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,
Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,
Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,
Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,
Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip, Ego trip,)

(Aaah!! Aaah!! Aahh!! Aahh!! Aahh!!
Aaah!! Aaah!! Aahh!! Aahh!! Aahh!!
Aaah!! Aaah!! Aahh!! Aahh!! Aahh!!
Aaah!! Aaah!! Aahh!! Aahh!! Aahh!!
Aaah!! Aaah!! Aahh!! Aahh!! Aahh!!)

PRINCE PAUL:
Somebody’s cryin’?
I know somebody’s cryin’.
Who’s cryin’?
Yo, somebody’s cryin’ here.

(Trippin’ down the fuckin stairs)
(YEEAAAHHH!)

teaching tagging

Lisa Scheer and I spent a few hours over at M’Coul’s Pub yesterday, melding minds over how to best use the web to expose her amazing eye to a larger audience and start a conversation about her passion.

Enter tagging.

After a few hours of exchanging philosophical approaches and dissecting interfaces, Lisa left with laptop in tow to start exploring her new sandbox.

Her castle is going to be dope.

quick thought... October 17th, 2006 - 4:23AM

Anthony has a solid timeline of the Chief Wray era, leading right up to the uploading of the RMA document to the public domain sometime yesterday.

gotta go, gotta go!
(originally uploaded by Jeremy Dennis)

I want to make it very clear where I stand on the issue of the RMA report hitting the internet this yesterday morning.

The RMA needed to be released into the public domain.

Because this document was originally leaked from within city management, the cat has been out of the bag for a long time now, hiding in the engine chassis of many parked cars around town… cars with media powered megaphones.

Once that happened, there was no way for the city to professionally manage whatever issues existed within the GPD behind closed doors.

With all the conflicting commentary and positions in local papers and blogs following the original leak (such as The N&R, The Rhino, Guarino, Hoggard, The Troublemaker and Ed Cone) over the past God knows how many months, there really was no way for any resident of Greensboro (including me) to follow the numerous threads, form an informed opinion on any discrete level and ultimately, trust both city managers and the police department.

So, was I was receptive to obtain a copy of the report the other day and read for myself the details behind what drove the city to lock David Wray out of his office?

Abso-fucking-lutely.

I was also amped for it’s public consumption in the near future, because I had heard through the grapevine just a few days ago that a local print publisher had planned to print it… on this Thursday (whether that was true or not, who knows for sure).

Now here’s where the big ol’ but! of my perspective contradicts my previous position.

Greensboro101 is not an individually run web site

For Roch to allow the file to be available in the interface for an extended period of time after it was uploaded anonymously to 101 without notifying his editorial board, I do feel it was an irresponsible move in regards to his unpaid advisers.

Again, let me be perfectly clear: I completely support this document being available to all Greensboro citizens, especially after it has been used by a select few in town (media and residents) to construct their message since the original leak… but, to allow it on 101 signifies that everyone associated with 101 backs that decision.

Obviously, Ben, Sue, Jay and Cara Michele did not support that decision.

So while it is Roch’s right to keep the provided file available to the public, he in turn must take full responsibility for his decision.

And as far as I can tell — by speaking with three quarters of the resigning party — they’re fine to leave the actions of this day as an editorial decision, pure and simple, and go their separate ways. From what I gather, Roch feels the same.

Case closed. (UPDATE: Or is it?)

The 101 Of My Relationship To 101

When I first moved to town last year, Roch and I rapped a bit about the potential of Greensboro101 at one of my first Blogsboro Meetups. After having a few beers downtown later that week, Roch asked me if I’d like to serve on an advisory board, touting Ed Cone and Jay Rosen as members.

Interested in the potential of 101 and having met neither Ed or Jay at the time (both of whom I respected very much), I agreed.

Later that week, I provided Roch with a bio to publish and assist him in his conversations with potential investors.

Since that conversation sometime last fall, Roch and I have not spoken once about the future of 101.

Zero.

Nada.

Being that I don’t agree with the way that he proceeded in this manner — even though I do support his decision to keep the file available — I’ve asked Roch to remove me from our imaginary relationship. I’m not quite sure he understands my position, but that’s fine.

I have much more important things to focus on.

UPDATE: In the comments, Ed denies ever being an advisor to 101. I apologize to both Ed and Jay for even mentioning them if that is truly the case.

UPDATE II: Roch sets Ben straight regarding the business advisory board we thought we were a part of by allowing our resumes to be presented to potential investors:

This “business� advisory board that Sean and Ben “resigned� from was never empanelled and never convened.

quick thought... October 16th, 2006 - 12:18PM

As Ed pointed to earlier, the RMA report (sans a background section, the second half of the full document) has been posted online at uploaded to Greensboro101.

quick thought... October 16th, 2006 - 2:46AM

Joe Guarino: […] “However, my belief is that the RMA report was slanted toward the objective of finding fault with nearly every aspect of Wray’s management of this issue; and simultaneously extending ample grace and deference toward Lt. Hinson with respect to what his activities might have been. The report was biased.” […]

quick thought... October 16th, 2006 - 1:48AM

Mr. Sun: […]”When the TRC presented itself as an imperfect opportunity to take action, city leaders passed. It seems to me they did so by proclaiming that it was a pointless exploration of the past when they knew full well the underlying issues were in fact surfacing at that very moment. Without reaching a conclusion on the wisdom of that decision, what did they do instead? What tangible steps have the Council or city management taken to address the problem? What have they done to make sure the police are busy keeping us safe instead of settling racial scores over and over again?” […]

Forgive me if I don’t tow the party line completely, but this Chief Wray controversy doesn’t quite feel as open and shut and David suggests — but not as you might think I mean.

After reading the RMA report, I do believe the city had no choice but to fire Wray, as he undoubtedly lied to his superiors, but the sheer amount of managerial issues raised by officers and employees once the investigation began seems to cut across Wray’s deception and his alleged actions into the disturbing territory of GPD management across the board.


(cartoon by Anthony Piraino)

The following quote is from page five in the overview (Section I) of the RMA report:

[…] The City Manager was approached by a contingent of minority police officers who complained of disparate treatment citing the Hinson matter as one of several examples. Officers complained that there was a “secret police” unit that focused on investigating black GPD officers. They also referenced a “black book” that was rumored to contain the photographs of black police officers that was used by the “secret police unit” for alleged inappropriate purposes. Additionally, law enforcement officers representing all ranks, races and genders came forward with complaints regarding the management of the GPD and concerns of mistreatment. […]

If you read that previous line as I did — “the management of the GPD” — it insinuates that there were issues in the GPD deeper than David Wray; he might have given the directions for tactical assignments and the such, but he didn’t manage them to fruition or carry them out by himself.

So while I’d love to close the book on this controversy and feel like the cancer has been removed — once and for all — from my local police department, I can’t. And I also can’t help but to think that the City Managers and Chief Wray agreed to go separate ways, because if they didn’t, the proverbial shit was lining up in droves to hit the proverbial fan… and everyone involved in the face.

Yesterday, after reading the RMA for himself, Ed Cone pointed to John Hammer’s editorial statement on January 26th as an indication of Hammer’s prescience, but the last paragraph of that statement just isn’t sitting well with me:

[…] According to Occam’s Razon, the simplest answer is usually the correct one. In this case the simplest answer is that Wray was, for whatever reason, not honest in his dealings with his boss, City Manager Mitchell Johnson. Any other explanation involves huge coincidences and for people to do things that don’t make any sense.

This report really needs to be released to the public.

UPDATE: The report has been uploaded to Greensboro101.

Next: I’ll read Jerry Bledsoe’s narrative and compare factual assertions.

October 15th, 2006

Thanks For The Memories, Roch!

roch's dome

Jeesh!

quick thought... October 15th, 2006 - 2:07AM

Nah, but seriously, this community is beginning to kill the cynic in me…

David has finished reading the “Risk Management Associates” report; I’m pausing to go listen to live music at The Flying Anvil (btw, I didn’t get the report from David).

Tomorrow morning, first and foremost, I plan on completely digesting the entire report. I then plan on reading Jerry Bledsoe’s narrative of events in detail and the numerous reports from The Troublemaker.

And then, as Chief Wray is so eloquently quoted on page 5:


Click to see larger version

I’ll “connect the dots” myself.

October 14th, 2006

ConvergeSouth BBQ: Da’ Bomb

Food, drink, fire (so clutch!), great conversations… what else can you ask for?

Thanks for a great time, David.

October 13th, 2006

T-Minus 120 Minutes


(originally uploaded by farenheit_81)

My mouth never salivates for BBQ… and my mouth is salivating right now.

Bring it, David!

quick thought... October 13th, 2006 - 2:23PM

Independent Weekly: […] “N.C. State Professor Tom Hoban is offering Sociology 395-M, “Social Movements for Social Change,” on the popular social networking site that claims to have 100 million active users worldwide. But administrators say it’s the wrong space for teaching a university course.” […]

quick thought... October 13th, 2006 - 12:08PM

It’s about damn time Howard Coble wants a change in policy regarding Iraq. For me, though, his switch in position is a sign of how our representative government simply sticks a wet finger in the air to determine policy — especially around election time. While representing the desires of constituants is one aspect of the role, the more risky part is actual leadership… and we are short of that in this Congress.

quick thought... October 12th, 2006 - 9:45PM

John Robinson: …”The power of this sort of publishing is that the community is exactly, precisely what you make of it. It’s no longer the newspaper preaching to captive readers. Everything is up to you. It’s you writing what you want, reading what you want, linking to whomever you want, commenting wherever you want, and ignoring and rejecting whatever you want.”…

October 10th, 2006

Center City Park: The Last Leg

park

From an email sent out by Action Greensboro’s, Judy Morton:

Center City Park construction is moving forward with visible results!

Many trees and plants are in place and the fountain foundation is complete. Libation, the vessel that marks the water source of the fountain, has been installed. The sidewalks on Elm and Friendly are now open. Rentenbach Construction and their sub-contractors are hard at work implementing the wonderfully detailed and handmade design created by Halvorson Design Partnership. Bruce Cantrell of J. Hyatt Hammond remarked that he hasn’t seen another building project in the Triad with this level of required craftsmanship. It will indeed be something we can and will be very proud of for our community.

A delay in delivery of over 500 pieces of granite — and an abundance of summer and fall rains — delayed our target opening date of mid-October. While Action Greensboro is as anxious as anyone for the Park to open, we want to allow time for complete construction, for grass to be established, and to present a finished product to the community. When the Park is complete later this fall, we will host a ribbon cutting. Donors to the Park and others who made this project happen will be honored guests, so remain on alert for that invitation.

Over 60 volunteers have been working on plans for the opening of Center City Park. The volunteers want to hold their events in the spring of 2007, with a week-long celebration to open the first season of the Park — when the weather is warm, leaves are on the trees, and daylight extends into the evening.

quick thought... October 8th, 2006 - 4:52PM

Fecund Stench: …”Weird moment: Jim Capo asking Scott Johnson to repeat his statement that the MSM was the mouthpiece of the Democratic Party. The words were almost visible as they wafted over the sheep. Capo followed the silly words in disbelief as they slowly settled on the garbage.”…

jay rosen at the n&r

This post is the result of pseudo-live blogging (there was no WiFi access at the N&R). All quotes are paraphrases.

Jay Rosen is a journalism professor at NYU and the driving force behind the Pro-Am journalism experiment, NewAssignment.net. He’s come to Greensboro to meet with the N&R and the active blogging community we have here, to spread the word of his project and hold a discussion regarding its possibilities.

Jay begins by giving a brief history of newspapers/journalism and the internet in three stages:

  1. Newspaper ownership began using the web in 1995 by simply re-purposing print content and surrounding it with ads. Why not? The content was already paid for and there wasn’t a need for much development
  2. Blogging, citizen journalism hit big from 2004 to 2006; a wake up for people not using the medium to extend conversations and the news.
  3. Where we’re heading (and NewAssignment.net is attempting to lead); bringing journalists, web users and citizens together to create dynamic, well-researched and disciplined journalism.

NewAssignment.net will:

  • Employ editors to manage resources, the narrative and quality of reporting
  • Hire occasional reporters for story development
  • Tap into the idea that smart mobs + editors = smart, collaborative, widely-distributed input and richer output

Jay made a point to describe the advantages that a NewAssignment.net has on the traditional world of journalism:

  • It’s Not a business; there’s no VC or ownership to demand a particular return
  • There’s no production routine to follow; no quota of time to print
  • No absolute set of topical coverage; unlike modern news outlets, they can cover anything they feel is relevant
  • Local, national, international; there’s no geo-specific coverage
  • There are no legacy methods or traditions to change or fight through
  • No inertia from old school participants who don’t want change

“Journalism isn’t traditionally innovative; this could be different,� Rosen says.

By operating as a non-profit in academia, NewAssignment becomes R&D for major news operations. Along those lines, Reuters has given a $100k gift for research and Jay is using the gift to hire an editor.

No strings attached, mind you.

Newspapers are aware of citizen journalism, realize that it’s where the future is heading and many from within the industry want to contribute using the enablers of the web and raise the quality of journalism. Or at least that’s what Jay’s hoping for.

As long as salaries can be sustained, I’m thinking it’s a pretty solid bet.

quick thought... October 4th, 2006 - 10:30PM

Brian Clarey interviews my boy, Jay Ovittore, over at Yes! Weekly.

With ConvergeSouth coming around the bend (next Friday and Saturday, registration is still free and open), I had a few questions about the second annual festival / conference / unconference popping around in my noggin’.

Ben Hwang, co-founder ConvergeSouthEnter Ben Hwang, technology and community advocate extraordinaire. Ben is the co-founder of ConvergeSouth, the lead for Media|ConvergeSouth and the idea guy behind Firelace LLC and numerous other non-profit projects. (Disclosure: Ben is also on the Board of Directors of my non-profit: The People, Yes)

In-between work and blogging, we both somehow found the time to connect over IM. The following is our conversation:

spcoon 1:57
So, Ben, what gave you the idea for ConvergeSouth?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:00
SXSW.

Ever since I began tracking BoingBoing and the rest of the Internet, I’ve paid more attention to it. When I saw what that conference did for the city of Austin, I thought: why couldn’t we do a similar type of event with a spin? I did some searches and there were only NXNW and NXNE but no SXSE.

spcoon 2:01
So, why didn’t you call it SXSE?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:04
When I brought the idea to Sue, SXSE was a choice, but Sue and Ed brainstormed a whole bunch of names and came up with ConvergeSouth. It gave us the ability to key in the Gate City as part of the theme — at least from my perspective.

spcoon 2:07
Good choice ;-)

Okay, call me a transplant Yankee, but I don’t get the Gate City reference. I’m guessing that refers to Greensboro?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:09
Yeah, Gate City is another name for Greensboro. It’s the name that was used back when all the railroad tracks all ended up here. It’s still the Gate City due to many of the shipping lines still using Greensboro as a center point (I believe).

spcoon 2:10
Nice… ConvergeSouth is definitely strong enough to carry over that subtlety.

Ok, speaking of SXSW, Austin had a few things going for it before the launch of the event 15 years ago; a college town, thriving music scene, strong software development community, independent filmmakers, progressive politics (to name a few).

What similarities do you see with Greensboro and how does Greensboro differentiate itself — good, bad or indifferent?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:14
#1: Greensboro is a lot smaller. In the past five years, the live music/bar/clubbing scene has gone from practically non-existent, to an outrageously fun place for young adults. It’s not a NYC or Austin by any means, but our population is also a wee bit less than those types of cities.

#2: Independent filmmaking. We’ve had Greensboro’s Child made here, participated in The 48 Hour Film Project and three (if I counted correctly since I’m not in that line of work) other movies filmed here in the last year. Maybe it was more, I don’t remember offhand.

I think on a scale, Austin is larger and more diverse, but Greensboro is like a teenager eager to leave the nest and go play in the bigger world of things. All we’re doing is giving it a few nudges here and there to guide it into the footsteps of those larger and more influential and in general more “fun” cities.

It’s going a good direction from my POV. There’s a lot of character in this city. A lot more than when I first moved here, which was about when all of the action started to seed from what I’m told.

spcoon 2:22
Sucking up to the interviewer by mentioning his brother’s film… nice.

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:23
Dang straight.

spcoon 2:24
You mention character… you know, I think you hit upon something there. Friends of mine back in Jersey ask me why I love it so much down here, and I always point to the character of the town — how there’s always an interesting conversation happening between the black and white of an issue, the left and right of a position… is that what you mean by character as well?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:32
I’d have to say the economic growth and capitalizing on small businesses in the downtown area has been a major part of the character I’m speaking of. The left/right and black/white conversations definitely bring out a lot of good in people, but also vice-versa, be it here or anywhere else. I think that this city is a lot more progressive than some feel about it. Speaking from a transplant perspective of course.

So that is character as well, but I’m not speaking to that end of it. Most of what I’m involved in is with the former (economic growth, technology, downtown, etc).

spcoon 2:35
Yeah, I feel you on that end as well. I guess what’s really interesting for me is sensing a tangible intersection between all of these economic developments, conversations, events, etc. — like a crazy looking Venn diagram — as I go about my personal/business life here in town.

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:36
Venn diagram. Scary. I haven’t heard that term in… gosh, years.

spcoon 2:36
Heh… So do you think that the blogging community in this area has helped shape this meshed, overlap of community that we find here?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:44
Definitely. The blogging community here is probably what defines a lot of Greensboro’s character actually, now that I think about it. It’s almost like we’re the Brady Bunch. Every so often Peter and Bobby would get in a tiff, but when it came to protecting your own — Greg would come out swinging (or something like that.)

We definitely caught onto the blogging breeze when it blew through here -– a lot more than anywhere else I’d imagine. People might snicker, but there’s got to be something behind the LA Times dubbing us as “Blogsboro” (even though I despise that name. lol)

spcoon 2:47
So with ~250,000 residents, Ben, how can a vocal blogosphere of 50 to 100 people help shape community?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 2:48
Those 50-100 people are the ones that are willing to speak out in the name of the community. It’s like letters to the editor, except you get to present your voice to the whole world to take notice.

Hopefully more people would be willing to speak out later on, but someone needs to break the ice.

spcoon 2:50
How can blogging help enable different communities moving forward? Or are you going to tell me to wait for Elizabeth Edwards to lead her discussion at ConvergeSouth?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 3:02
Blogging is a conversation between author and commenter — well, assuming the blogger writes back within the comments. How can it help different communities to move forward? Well, it’s more like water cooler talk really. Talking doesn’t make anything happen, except perhaps gives you more ideas. You have to take those ideas and act on them.

Just because I say “Bob was at Jim’s house this last weekend for a game of bridge.” doesn’t mean it happened; It’s just talk. But talk is the first step to getting something going, or at least enlightening yourself to other perspectives. More options usually mean more solutions to problems. And that’s always a good thing.

spcoon 3:47
So what should I expect to experience on October 13th & 14th?

ben (phxnetwrxlab) 3:53
The ability to explore different mediums to amplify your voice… or to simply listen to those who are doing so.

We (Media|ConvergeSouth) ask that artists contribute, because their talent is in the driver’s seat (we have contributors from as far as the UK).

The main event (ConvergeSouth) surrounds technology and the people that use them to build social circles. Hopefully those circles intersect some like your Venn diagrams and create and benefit the larger community.

But more than anything, we simply want people to have a good time, because as part of the all-volunteer staff, we’d like to see that our time was well spent in helping the community (both online and off) by creating this annual event.

spcoon 3:55
Thanks, Ben!

/end interview

October 1st, 2006

Just Let It Go

Ever feel like you’re simply a target of corporate consumerism? One battery of millions powering accelerated growth? A soul without a say? Disconnected from other people?

Watch this and smile.

(via Dave)

quick thought... October 1st, 2006 - 1:12AM

I hung out tonight with Jay, David, Jon and Fec Stench over at M’Coul’s. Good to finally meet David and Fec in person; great conversations across the board.

Mike and Aaron opened up a few weeks back, after months of building and prepping the corner of MLK and Gorrel. I’ve wanted to write about them since, as their general manager, Stephanie, fed Lucy treats each day as we passed on our walk, but I’ve been way too busy.

Yep, blogger bought off by dot biscuits.

But with free WiFi, comfy couches, good and decent-priced food, a relaxed atmosphere and local artwork adorning the walls, you really can’t go wrong spending time over there. I’m not a wine fan, but from what Angela tells me, they have a choice selection. And oh yeah, the Ganache Chocolate Cake is ridiculous.

My only criticism so far (they got rid of the canned fresh fruit) is the background music rotation; it leans too much in the Kenny G direction for my tastes (I’m much more of a Mingus, Miles, Thelonious kinda guy). Thursday night is live Jazz night, so we’ll see where this evolves…

Check ‘em out and wish them well, as they’re Southside’s first foray into the restaurant / bar / nightclub world.

bar
Where the magic happens

aaron on opening day
Aaron on opening day

my new office
My third office (counting The Green Bean)

quick thought... September 30th, 2006 - 4:41PM

Well, I won’t be ordering delicious subs from Jimmy John’s any more. Every time I call, they put me on hold because my street address is Martin Luther King. Only after I assure them that I’m in Southside and that they’ve delivered here before do they take my order. Today, the excuse was that I’m out of delivery range. Bullshit. I’ll tell you why they didn’t want to come out here: I’m on the cusp of the “wrong side of the tracks” and the mental image of the MLK neighborhood from top to bottom scares them. I’ll be eating Panini’s over at The Press from now on.

September 28th, 2006

Mulletslinger


(originally uploaded by Lenslinger)

There’s gotta be a muscle car out of the picture somewhere… Stew?

quick thought... September 22nd, 2006 - 2:11PM

David Weinberger: …”Thank you, Sir Tim, for not keeping even a little tiny bit of the Web for yourself. Because of that act of generosity, a billion people have been able to engage in the little acts of generosity called links that together are making a better new world.”



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