Could social media kill Newsnight, et al?

Image via Wikipedia

Over the last few months I have been mentally noting a trend in negative or frustrated  Twitter comments toward BBC’s Newsnight. Now, it might just be me taking a massive stab in the dark at a percieved fleeting shadow, or maybe simply and solely my own boredom with these programs. However, I think there is a link here in similar vein to that of the

citizen journalist V’s professional journalist, that Twitterers and bloggerers are starting to not need the directed and often sanatised debate.

Where new web tools have allowed for a growing number of citizen journalists to arise, via blogging software or development of hyperlocal web sites, traditional media has in many ways seen this as an afront to their trade and the value they place on the professionalism and skill required to ‘do journalism properly’. The fact I am writing this blog, should indicate clearly which side of the fence I sit on, with regard to that type of argument. Equally, I wouldn’t want to tar all journalists with the same brush, but I would supply the feathers for 99% of them.

The fact is that trades and industries do change over time, especially in manufacturing, whether through economic circumstance or new methods of production. Our Great Britain tag was not simply built on the fact we ‘bullied’ the world for centuries, but more on our domination of the manufacture of wool, cotton and other fabric goods, etc. This we did with greater efficiency than could be done elswhere in the world. Oh, and the bullying probably did help a  little (read Burmese Days, by George Orwell). We clung on to the ‘great’ title probably a little too long as, like a stubborn child holding onto a lollipop stick even after the sugar is gone, we are reluctant to admit that there is nothing really left.

So taking that premise, journalists as Great Britain, kings of land and sea…sorry, I mean bullies…and us bloggers and tweeters as the rest of the developing world, there has been and still is a shift in power occuring of titanic proportions (shipping – another lost industry). Therefore the game has to change, and television is one medium that can continue to cling to it’s routes whilst still drawing us into it via our new social tools.

It is not, however, immune from a similar fate as it’s paper and print relative; it just has a different angle from which to try and prolong it’s life; sort of a Godfather, “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” sort of approach (an approach that those writing for papersmight want take more stock of).

No, by entering into league with the tweeters by having it’s own hash tag and allowing for us to engage with it, it is in some way thinking that (hoping that) it’s audience will therefore be placated and satisfied by it’s efforts to keep up with the times. I don’t think the audience is, or will start to feel this way.

The strength in Twitter, as one example, is in it’s users ability to share information instantly, circulate thoughts, documents, links to websites (the BBC website), break news, discuss and debate throughout any given day. The opportunity of an individual, should they so wish, to be able to learn and inform themselves via social interaction has never been greater or easier to do.

So, 10pm, BBC2 no longer carries the same resonance as it once did. It was only a few years ago that you waited specifically for programs like this so you could hear the debate in earnest from oposing sides, it was where real news was dicussed warts and all. Sometimes there would be a heated argument and it was very exciting. But nowadays, I think much of this programming is grossly sanatised and does not connect very well with people. I believe programs like Newsnight have got to think a lot more these days about how they go about their business, if they want to remain useful to an increasingly more social media savvy public, who can get up to speed anytime, anywhere.

This is, of course, only my opinion.

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Webcasting the net that bit further

Webcasting, once a thing of mystery and in the eyes of many a questionable investment, has become far more widespread over the last few years. This has been down to progressive private sector thinking, by organisations such as Public-i, who grasp the concept of community and political environment and how the two relate to each other.

As a consequence, those local authorities who have taken on webcasting, could in some respects also be classed as progressive councils; they have grasped what this technology means, understanding it’s value. That is, the ability to reach a much wider audience than they could have previously only dreamed about, opening up democracy and providing transparent decision making, to the public they represent and serve.

Image by conservativeparty via Flickr

I’m a big believer in transparency, and webcasting is a tool that allows for displaying such. It was therefore refreshing when Eric Pickles, openly supported this and called for more of it from councils across the country.  What does surprise me is that there are some councils who have pushed against this openness (pre and post Pickles comment).

The technology for webcasting is now long established. I expect if those councils who have webcast for a number of months (if not years) all of a sudden stopped, there would be be some kind of public and local media outcry. Such activity as webcasting gets into peoples psyche, and in this case it manifests into a ‘citizen’s right’ to observe what goes on in the meetings of the electorate; a powerful thing, that kind of mindset! Of course, this is only my opinion.

However, webcasting of council meetings is only a part of the story. In most cases it is no longer innovative; certainly not on it’s own. In some places then, such as Kirklees Council, webcasting is becoming normal practice. So, just what is it that continues to make webcasting a useful tool? Well, I’ve been lucky enough to play a part in it’s implementation, so here’s what I think.

Who does it reach?: Openness and transparency, as stated, is very important. We vote to elect our representatives, and as citizens have a right to see what is going on in those corridors of power. But more than this, it also allows for officers to watch and educate themselves, about the wider debates and reasoning relating to decisions. This can be especially pertinent when their service is one of the hot topics of the night. The idea of a better informed staff, should be embraced by any local authority. Specific encouragement of officers to watch these meetings should therefore undertaken; innovative ways to help staff educate themselves, rather than send them on a political awareness training course (at least use some of the footage from a webcast).

Other media: The introduction of other social media tools is something else that, in places, has been cause of some consternation for some councils. Tweeting during a meeting has been frowned upon, but I find the frowning flawed. I won’t go into a rant about it, but…a mixture of tweets from citizens, officers and councillors, further opens up the transparency and engagement that the ideology of local authorities should be striving to do. A combination of media, in this case “Watching and Tweeting Democracy”, has worked well so far. There is no real reason it should stop, as the dialogue has been respectful and everybody has been very adult about the whole thing! The innovation then is how we can start to use a combination of social media tools, not simply one here and one there; get them in the same place.

Internal communication: This is an important addition to the webcasting of council meetings, a small step in more innovative uses of the tools at our disposal. At no other time has a local authority needed to open up the communication channels with it’s employees, as it does now. A number of Meetings with Directors have taken place, allowing staff to listen to and ask questions of directors. On a couple of occasions, webcasts have been recorded. What this has achieved is the ability to reach a greater number of employees, in effect creating a greater transparency and humanity in communication (rather than the obligatory long email; which actually still has it’s place, of course). The potential savings on conducting some communications in this way, is significant, and necessary and certainly as a taxpayer myself, something I welcome in terms of the council making best use of it’s resources.

In terms of uses for webcasting as a tool, I believe we have barely scratched the surface. The uses outlined above, themselves, all need to be driven and built upon in order for them to generate greater value, and that is possible through a bit of hard work and creative thinking. Where an authority empowers it’s employees to think and make decisions that best serve it’s citizens, engaging citizens in that more and more along the way, there is much that can be achieved.

Related Articles

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A new and old Greenhead Park for everybody

Over the last couple of years or so, there has been a massive investment made by Kirklees Council and partners, in the regeneration of Greenhead Park. Me and Lil’Roo went up there yesterday tea-time for a bit of a nosey. Impressed? Yes, very much so.

There is clearly a lot of work still to do, and I am acutely aware there were some quite fervent objections to removal of a number of trees and to the change in location of the play area (I know, because I was the officer facilitating an area committee meeting where we received a presentation). Yet, I think what has been done has been done with respect and integrity.

I love the fact they used a lot of old photographs and ‘memories’ submitted by and collected from people who would have known the park as it used to be ‘back in the day’. So, bearing in mind not everybody is going to pleased with all elements, I think this new ‘old’ park is really good.

I took some photos that I hope capture some of the great renovation work, and how inviting the park now is…far more so than it was previously! Unfortunately, I only had my phone with me, so they’re not the best.

One of the most inviting things, maybe strangely, were the paths. They have all been tarmacked and the smooth even surface gives that great impression of ‘new’. And for bike riding, well Lil’Roo loved that bit!

For me, I love the reinstating of the lake/pond area, which is very pleasant to stroll around. Admittedly, it’s not all that relaxing when your youngest is circling it on her bike; she can swim, but still, be aware! Having a back drop which includes the band stand, really helps set the scene and I imagine that during the summer months (should we get them), there will be much frivolity.

Of course, there is also the play area, or several to be precise, which cater for the very young right through to the older children. Watch out for the zip-wire though, hold on tight,  it’s got a bit of a kick at the end!

Not yet fully restored, but what I expect to be one of the grandest features, is the restored ‘greenhouse’ which is currently having, I think, a sort of visitor centre/cafe extension built onto it.

Anyway, it was a nice couple of hours we spent up there. Can’t wait for the warmer weather!

The Genius of Children

Lil’Roo (8yrs) cried tonight! We were all sat around the dinner table, eating tea. There was me, JB, HayD and Wyf2b, and of course Jemima (Lil’Roo).

It was a completely normal scene. Me, nagging the kids to use their knives and forks properly; don’t talk with your mouth full; use your manners. They are really pretty good, and it’s an occasional reminder mostly.

I noticed half way through, among the chatter, that Lil’Roo had gone a bit quiet. She looked a bit tired, and I asked her if she was okay? “Yes”, she replied.

Two minutes later she left the table, without uttering a word. Wyf2b and I exchanged quizzical glances. Must have gone to the toilet…but we have rules about asking to leave the table (old values), which JB (6yrs) was quick to point out.

I left it for a couple of minutes, then went to seek her out. She was in the living room. Tired, Must be. This was confirmed when I kneeled down in front of her and she immediately grabbed me, simultaneously bursting into tears! “Hey, hey, what’s wrong,” I asked.

To cut a long story short…

She wouldn’t talk to me, but requested a piece of paper and a pen. She would write me a message. I went back to finish my tea, and several minutes later Lil’Roo delivered her note to me, then quickly disappeared:

“Daddy, I love you very much. I just looked around at everybody and thought how lucky we all are, to share in this beautiful family.”

Touched. Completely. It was out of the blue. Completely. I went to find her, to see if she was okay, and she nearly squeezed the life out of me.

“I just saw it when I was sitting there Daddy. Everything stopped, and I just saw it. It’s special, family.”

I really needn’t say much more, but next time you’re all there together, at the dinner table or wherever, stop. Stop and look, and see, even amidst the chaos that is family, and see what Lil’Roo saw – it’s important.

Oh, the humanity!

Image via Wikipedia

Social media really is the future. I mean, I know it’s here now, but it’s development across our society is not going to diminish, but continue to broaden and advance at exponential pace. It’s not easy to keep up with, as everyday somebody seems to come up with a new way to use even the more established online tools.

Those involved with social media, either through personal interest, work or both, have managed to create overlapping networks that have created a social space without geographic boundary (not withstanding those living in some rural parts of the country/world) . I find it difficult to get my head around how all this works and fits together, this virtual entity technology has allowed us to create.

The only way I can describe it, or make sense of it, is thinking of it as one huge living library. And I like that concept. A library, where all the books are online, mostly biographies, all telling their own story as time progresses; sometimes directly, other times indirectly just through your own reading; interactive imaginations that you link to, a virtual social world, that can even influence your own story. It’s getting away from me, this little concept…

Despite the social nature of those who sign up to these things, whether Twitter or Facebook, etc, for me there is still missing that real human element, whether that is through a face to face meeting, or a phone call.

A number of months ago I had a telephone conversation with somebody on a topic of personal importance to me. By today’s standards of communication, what was actually said could have been done using one of the aforementioned social media tools, more than adequately.

More recently, just the other week actually, I have had two separate lunch appointments with colleagues/friends. Did we need to? No, not really. Were there topics we could have discussed privately online? Yes, of course.

The point is, the phone call, the lunch meetings, meant a whole lot more. Each of us in someway had to make a bit of an effort; maybe brush our hair or something; walk somewhere; spend a few pounds. It was a real commitment, rather than it being all a bit #lazyweb.

Human contact, a handshake, sounds, expressions, laughs have a warmth about them that cannot easily (if at all) be truly expressed via words in social media. I took something from each of those ‘traditional’ communications I wouldn’t have been able to get elsewhere…and have used the wisdom of my opposite in each of those meetings since (whether they were aware of their wisdom, is really not the point).

Use social media, use it well, expand your knowledge and your range, break down the geographic boundaries; but where you get reasonable chance or opportunity, phone somebody or go out for lunch.

That is all.

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Smoking is a lost love, but it had to go!

This is how I used to look!

I loved smoking, and did so consistently for about 10 years. I sometimes reminisce about it, like a lost love. I loved it right up until I could no longer tell if my bad chest was caused by a slight cold, or my asthna flaring up, or the fact I might have done some mild exercise. Like blind love sometimes can, it began to squeeze the life out of me as it consumed my every thought; we went everywhere together and I constantly spent money on it. All this, until one day, I couldn’t take anymore.

It’s been nearly three years now, since we parted. I stopped on the eve of the 2008 Champions League final, between Manchester United and Chelsea; remember that one? United won on penalties! As a United fan, I could not have chosen a more stressful night to kick this habit; but I chose this moment on purpose because it was hard, because I knew if I could get through that night, there was no excuse to not get through any other night. Any keen football fan or club supporter will know exactly what I mean…and the penalties nearly did for me, that night!

But here’s some thoughts on reasons to stop, or not stop, smoking.

• That ‘No Smoking Day’ falls on the first day of Lent, is in my opinion, bad. Having tried numerous times before to stop smoking, the goal has ultimately got to be a lifetime choice. Give a smoker a get out of 40 days, and a lot might take it. Seriously! It’s like a countdown to your Birthday and the present is…a pack of 20 Marlborough Lights, please!
• You don’t stop for the kids’ sake. That’s not the reason. Maybe its semantics, but I see it as a deflection of responsibility. The resulting guilt if you fail with that one (as I did on several occasions) can be epic.
• Because millions of others have given up smoking is not a reason for you to give up smoking. It is a fact that millions have, but also a fact that millions haven’t. It’s nonsense. Maybe semantics again. However, I don’t care about the fact other people have done it. You want to make me feel bad that I hadn’t? That I was struggling to? Tell me “well, others have managed it, you should be able to”, and I would have replied with a few choice words.
• Public and peer pressure is not a reason to give up smoking. I don’t do peer pressure. Sort of same as above really. It used to make me dig my heels in even more.
• Thinking of all the money you can save is not a reason to give up smoking; you’ll only spend it on other crap. If there are any other ex-smokers out there that can tell me otherwise, please do. When you stop smoking it’s a bit like getting a pay rise at work…you soon find something else to spend it on (NB, for those working in the public sector, this is when your organisation fractionally increases the big number on the bottom of your pay slip)

To conclude, the only reason anybody should ever stop smoking is because they want to. Not anybody else. You! It’s hard, yes. It can make you grumpy, yes. It takes will power, yes. When you’ve managed it though, the results are worth it. I now know when I have a cold; I can walk and run again; I have more energy around my kids and family and friends; I have reclaimed my lungs as my own. Stopping smoking does not, I repeat does not, mean I am going to live any longer! But what it does mean is that I have a better a quality of life; that’s what I wanted, for me, and it just so happens that others close to me benefit from that.

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Up Snowdon and up my Vertigo!

Image via Wikipedia

I did it! I made it to the top of Mount Snowdon and all the way back down again, without incident. In fact, I’d go as far to say (certainly on reflection) that I enjoyed it immensely.

I had a number of worries before setting out, namely the fact that I was wearing a brand new pair of walking boots, the fact the weather was a bit wet despite @StevenTuck repeating “this is the last of the rain”, and of course the impending confrontation I was about to have with my vertigo.

Now, some of you out there might have climbed mountains before. You might have even climbed Mount Snowdon on one of the more difficult routes. We were on the easiest, albeit longest of those available, but since I’ve never climbed a mountain before it was still a daunting prospect. And anyway, I’m a believer in ‘distance traveled’ from your individual starting point, not comparing yourself to more experienced others who may consider it easy! As a result, I am immensely proud of myself.

The weather gave me a bit of a trade off against my vertigo on the way up, in as much as the visibility was pretty poor. Therefore, those parts of the journey where the path was narrower and cliffs steeper did not carry the same impact as they would had I been able to see far reaching views.

And anyway, the further we went up the less I was inclined to even try and look anywhere other than my feet, where I was concentrating on getting one in front of the other. Some of the steep sections were a killer, especially after we had gone through the tunnel that passes under the railway bridge. It was after this tunnel also, that the narrow path cut away on the left to what I could only assume was a shear drop. Since it was completely engulfed in fog below the ridge, I could only guess.

Good friend that he his, @StevenTuck proved you could only fall off by jumping, and so demonstrated this with a couple of mock dives of how he would need to do this. What a complete…

However, it was due to Steve and with super special thanks to Jude and Judy (two experienced members of the 38 of us), that I made it to the top. It was nothing more than conversation and company, just a few words of encouragement here and there, but enough to keep me distracted from getting inside my own head. Really appreciated.

Reaching the top was an amazing feeling, generating feelings of relief and excitement and achievement and pride. It also brought with it the most disconcerting part of the journey. To stand on that small peak, a tiny plateau, and to sheepishly look around 360 degrees where all you can see is fog, as if there is nothing else out there, below the edge, other than a long long way down on each side. It was quite horrible! One fellow climber tried telling me you “couldn’t fall off there” – but when you see a bird fly by at a lower height than you’re standing at, you sort of don’t believe them!

That wasn’t the end of it though, not the worst bit. Nor was standing on that plateau the best bit. Both of those things were to come when I traversed the 10 steps that would take me to the very summit – artificial as it was – to be at that very moment, if only for a few seconds of spine-tingling terror, higher than any human being in the whole of England and Wales!

I was given a little assistance to get back down off those said steps, an indication of just how frightened I was…only for that bloody @steventuck to appear there a few minutes later, shouting for me to come back up because he wanted a photo (this will be my evidence when he sends it to me). I obliged, naturally, fearfully (you’ll see this on the photo), but went both up and down those steps of my own volition and without any assistance. I’d say that’s progress!

The decent in someways was as hard on the legs as the ascent. Especially the steeper bits. I was rewarded on the way down with some clearing of the fog, which allowed me to grab some photos (not great ones to be fair). To some degree also it offered me a chance to face some of that vertigo, or irrational fear, or whatever it is, and take a look at the houses so, so far below. I didn’t over do it, it still didn’t feel right, but I gave it a go (*shudders* while writing, seriously!). This clearing of fog also gave me a chance to look back up the trail, and realise just how steep and how far it was I had walked. Quite startling!

The rest of it was a breeze. We had a brief rest near the bottom, went off to Pete’s Eats in the town, before heading off home. It was a wonderful experience.

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Snowdon in the Snow meets Spencer’s Vertigo!

Image via Wikipedia

I am absolutely phenomenalutely excited about walking up Mount Snowdon tomorrow – 13 Feb 2011. I’m not great with heights, but have been assured by @StevenTuck that there will only be a couple of points where I realise how high up we are – half-way up and, of course, when we reach the top.

There is not much by way of walking gets done in my family unit, but we have endeavoured to do more this year; me and Sarah (better known to my twitter followers as, Wyf2b) have already been on a couple of leisurely ones over Holmfirth way. Personally, I’m more disposed to take a trip to the gym. The controlled, artificial environment sort of suits me better; rather than the high number of risks that I could face running or cycling down the road.

So as you would expect, this is  a really quite big  adventure for me. I’m hoping very much that there is a mobile signal at the top of there, as I’ve promised my girls, Hayley (HayD) and Lil’Roo (Jemima) that I would give them a ring; and my Mum, who as an avid walker and knowing I am not, was quite shocked at the prospect of me doing this (to which I explained that @StevenTuck bullied me into it).

The biggest problem I faced so far was my missing battery charger for my camera, a problem now rectified.

Also to look forward to is meeting up with a couple of local government colleagues from Barnsley, in the form of @Keneastwood and @CllrTim, who are using this as a bit of prep for their fundraising trip up Kilimanjaro! (Get in touch with them via their twitter  accounts to find out how to make a pledge)

And so it is that I am ready, all my kit sorted (other than a couple of late requests I’ve put in to Mr Tuck).

I am under no illusion that it will be tough, and that some vertigo dizziness might come into play, but I’m waking up to the fact that I need to challenge my comfort zones more and confront some fears. Heck, I work in local gov, so I’ve been faced with challenges bigger than  this particular mountain for quite some months now! I guess it’s about having respect at all times for what you’re faced with, but taking on those mountains and turning them into molehills.

Hmm, that took a turn to the heavy side, that last paragraph!

Anyway, will post an update if I make it back

Vingnettes in Sepia

I love what the digital age has allowed us to do, especially by way of photography, through the rise of digital camera’s. What used to be an expensive hobby (not for me, as I could never spare the funds) now, realistically only requires small investment in a camera and little more. So long as you are able to charge your camera battery, you’re free to snap away merrily.

And merrily I do, without as much consideration as  I might if I were using a 24 exposure film. My digital camera allows me to snap, snap, snap, and as a complete  amature this is a god send. Out of this approach, you can sometimes get a few good snaps.

Messing about the other day at Beaumont Park, Huddersfield, I took the following shots with my Sony DSC-H9. These were my favourite ones from, truthfully, quite a large batch. It was a foggy day, and I found that the ‘sepia’ setting produced some interesting results of depth to the photos.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, here they are. I love that technology allows me to play so freely.

My wonderful Mum taught me how to iron a shirt!

Thanks Mum

My wonderful Mum taught me how to iron a shirt. Yes, she bloody well did! Thanks Mum x

She’s no social media goddess, but she’s a bloody good mother, and I’ve learned a lot  from her. Hopefully, you will too!

Stick with me.

“Spencer, these are the ironing basics. We’ll take shirts  first. You will need to iron more of these than any other garment, if you’re going to work in an office. Ironing a shirt correctly is one of the most important things you will ever learn. You’ve got the tools; an iron, ironing board and of course, various shirts”

1. Turn up the collar and iron the underside, never the top.

2. Then iron the yoke (I think that’s what she said).

3. Next the back panel.

4. Turn it around and do both front panels.

5. After that, do the sleeves and cuffs.

There you see, it’s simple! Well, it’s not really is it. Why? Because that’s just the theory!

Theory is brilliant. It enables us to stretch our ideas; from which we create ideals. But then, there is still the job of making them work!

Following Mum’s instructions was fine. She had it off to a tee. I always did, and always do follow her method. I do that with as much care and attention now, as I did when I first learned it.

There are always variables though, dependent on what sort of shirt I’m wearing. Subtleties arise dependent on pleats and creases, style of fit, length, collar, sleeves, material.

The early days were quite rough, what with those double creases down those long sleeves, not quite getting the creases out of thick cotton…and linen, well, it was creased again before you even got the thing on your back!

And now, 20 years and maybe a couple more on, from my Mum teaching me these things, I’ve learned. I’ve learned that you can never be too thorough, too careful, too concerned about what the shirt you wear looks like. The devil is in the detail, always. You aleady have the tools at your disposal, to address issues the at hand. It is simply about using those tools to the best of your ability; with care, with feeling, with a knowledge that the end result is representative of you.

So, in ironing our shirt, or caring what it looks like when we step out into the wider world, takes effort and consideration; without fail, always! If you don’t look for the potential downfalls, improvements in getting to the nooks and crannies, adapting dependent on style, you will never really produce a product of substance. Cock up your ironing and you’ll be noticed far more easily.

Now, with not too much of a leap of faith, apply that to anything your organisation is doing by way of social media!

It’s great that more and more of us are doing it, and doing it increasingly well. Seems we’re all following Mothers recipe, which is good.

However, when applying the method, never be negletful of the attention to detail. Do not dismiss the subtleties of a differently stitched garment, where the pleats or creases fall off centre. You can’t gloss over these too well…they are always noticeable, far more noticable than if you haven’t made the effort to iron them out in the first place.

Implementing social media in local government is not just theory, ideas and ideals. Social media in local government is about hard work, application, effort, commitment, looking for nuances in every new piece and working through them. Without that approach, you’ll produce some social media products, but they won’t be held up to any great esteem.

Along with some brilliant colleagues, we are constantly ironing. Constantly!