Comments on: WOM marketing, TwappyHour and Web414 meeting all help to explode myth of online social networks replacing “meatspace”

By: Digital Solid: Marketing Technology ROI » Blog Archive » Internet killed the conference

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:44:35 +0000

[...] we still have to physically meet each other. Thinking otherwise is a particularly dangerous form of technological hubris. But meetings of this type have evolved. I first learned about — and then attended — [...]

By: Digital Solid: Marketing Technology ROI » Blog Archive » The new power to get in: Twitter

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:19:50 +0000

[...] Find chances to meet face-to-face. Here’s the story of my awakening to the potential in a “Tweet-up.” [...]

By: Jeff Larche

Jeff Larche — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:29:44 +0000

Hey, James -- We have a shared passion: creative collaboration. I first picked up Visio, over a decade ago, because I wanted to see if I could use it for collaborative mind mapping, instead of solo charting. (Which, alas, is what Visio does best. I've since discovered that mindmapping software like MindManager can better facilitate the type of group brainstorming I was envisioning.) At about the same time, I was heavily under the sway of Michael Schrage's No More Teams, a book about "Mastering the Dynamics of Creative Collaboration." His point is self-evident and powerful: Computing was designed for individuals to do individual work. Period. Collaboration was not computing's strong suit, and that holds true for the most part today, 13 years after that book came out. I was looking at the time for ways accelerate meetings and improve their outcomes ... especially among creative types (I was with a small mar/com agency at the time). I had no success, and since then, with the exception of UWM's Decision Lab, I've not seen anything in action that truly uses computing to bring together people. Until, that is, Bucketworks. I think you're on to something by making the computer "not missing, just invisible." Meatspace dynamics demand it. I love the mission of your organization and am excited to see where it leads you. I sincerely believe you guys are making history with this concept. Keep up the good work!

By: James Carlson

James Carlson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:35:50 +0000

Jeff, I really enjoyed your comparison between DNA and social networks as delivery systems for meat and meatspace interactions. Bucketworks is designed to be the bridging point between cyberspace and meatspace. I’m obsessed with making the computer “go away” at Bucketworks–not missing, just invisible. The room is the computer. Shared interaction is emphasized over solo focus.

The median between being a complete Luddite and being completely absent from meatspace is probably the healthiest place for us to be as a culture; we can gradually invite the extremes to enjoy the balance.

Thanks for coming and come back often!

By: Jeff Larche

Jeff Larche — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:56:09 +0000

Thanks, Pete. That would be fun. I’ll contact you next week to get your take on what the group would value.

By: Pete Prodoehl

Pete Prodoehl — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:51:58 +0000

Jeff, it was great to finally meet you… We look forward to seeing you at future Web414 meetings. Maybe you’d like to present or lead a discussion on a topic you are interested in…?

By: Jeff Larche

Jeff Larche — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:03:19 +0000

Thanks, Spike. And if you're wondering about the source of that 92% statistic, Spike was kind enough to email a link to its source: kellerfay.com/ It's a statistic we should all keep in mind in these heavily-online times!

By: Spike Jones

Spike Jones — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:44:48 +0000

Thanks again for coming out yesterday, Jeff. And I’m glad I could add something to the mix. Ninety-two percent of WOM happens offline. The online tactics are great, but I think it’s up to us as communicators to figure out how online supports offline and offline supports online.

Keep on keepin’ on.