UGC on NPR (User Generated Content)

Listening to NPR again. As usual. My addiction, or one of them. Well, addictions shouldn't be taken lightly, but I digress...

NPR just did a segment about UGC, user generated content. It's still playing on All Things Considered so I can't link it in just yet.

I don't know about you but I utilize UGC for marketing ideas. I use UGC sites for keeping in contact with people I haven't physically seen in years. I'm involved in UGC communities consisting of mothers who gave birth in 2006, marketers and SEO specialists, videographers using 8mm film, and, of course, I have a myspace page. So UGC is central to my social life - hey, I have an almost 6 month old, social events are difficult to frequent.

Marketers are looking for ways to cash in on this new UGC concept. Only, the UGC concept isn't new. The application is new, the technology is new, but the concept is not so much. Decades ago ad execs would run "contests" for amateur jingle creation for one.

I'll be watching the Super Bowl this weekend, as will millions of others. I won't be watching for the game though. As with every year that teams I don't particularly care about compete I watch for the commercials, the ads, the ones we'll all be discussing days and weeks after the game has been won (or lost). Sad though it may seem it's the ONLY time I watch tv for commercials. That's what DVR is for :)

What do you think of UGC?
Do you use it in a business manner?
If you were to gauge the future of UGC where do you see it progressing?

Alfred Hitchcock, Philanthropy and Multi-Tasking

Walking outside my house I feel as if Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 Birds has been replaced with robins.

I can't help but notice the flittering nervousness as my feet pound the concrete sidewalk. Running down the street in, finally, decent weather the robins seem to emerge then frantically hide themselves. Disturbing branches and dried leaves everywhere.

I understand winter migration, but these birds appeared from nowhere (or just arrived from the frozen north) in the last few days. It isn't spring, so no proliferation takes place. I suppose it's worth taking time selecting a mate when the weather is warming and the sun shining.

I just hope they don't attack me during a jog for coming into too close contact with their air space. Perhaps I can get a regulation "no fly zone" over my jog path aimed specifically at robins? The FAA seems to like strange laws and granting limited air space.

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Must one be independantly wealthy prior to adding "philanthropist" to one's description? I've been toying the idea of getting involved, more than sending money to my various favorite causes, lately and wonder if I have enough time/resources to do so. I must, mustn't (?) I?

Listening to NPR early mornings while trying to coax my almost 6 month old back into dreamland I feel an undeniable urge to do something. Too many people leave their homes for work only to (rightly) fear never returning. Bombs explode daily, killing dozens, sometimes hundreds of civilians instantly. You'd be hard pressed to find an Iraqi who hasn't lost a friend and/or family member to one of these violent killings. Civialians. You know, like you and me -- unless "you" are a member of the armed forces in one way or another. In that case, thank you.

Others are only granted two hours of electricity a day. TWO HOURS! I just clicked off my backlight in response to that. I don't need it, I just like it. Wasteful because I can be.

How many children are starving or not immunized or homeless? How many are needlessly suffering? How many can get no education or are fearful day in and day out of being trafficked? How many are abused?

Sure, I could preach about all the injustice in the world, but plenty of people already do that. Some quite well. I'm not a 4am infomercial. I'm not a blown horn. I'm just concerned and want to do something.

Donations, money are both good things. I do that already. I'd like to devote time. Effort. Make an impact rather than just get a receipt.

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Do you think multitasking is really worth it? Ok, let me clarify. Multitasking IS worth it. Multitasking devices are not. Not in my opinion. They're distracting. Often necessary, always distracting.

I read an article this morning telling how multitasking is a good thing, the devices are wonderful for what they allow, and the methods of measuring productivity should be changed. Sure. But if we can't turn off ever. Is it really worth having the latest camera phone/pda/email/phone/video/texting device? I need some down time.

I also read/heard a report about companies moving toward regulating the times they'll contact employees. Many are being burnt out by working every time the *ping* goes off on their camera phone/pda/email/phone/video/texting devices. They can't ever turn off they're looking for other jobs.

Is your company ruthless about Blackberry use? If the company funds your Blackberry usage do they have the right to contact you via email/txt/phone whenever including weekends?

What are your thoughts on multitasking devices and the amount of time you spend using them?

Jazzing Things Up a Bit

I've decided the blog is too bland for my taste. I'm going to change the pace. Add a little of myself to it. Make it my own.

No more hiding behind the wall of SEO. No more waiting for reportable news. No more.

I'm taking my blog and making it something I'd want to read. Why relay only what others already have? Even in depth research is rarely anything new. Not in this world of blogs, forums, posts, threads, comments, opinions and the like.

So whether I feel like describing the type of day the outside world is enjoying: deceivingly bright and clear the crisp air knocks you hard after retreating from the darkened, electrically heated cavern. Emerge into the solar powered whiteness, the glare hits you, so does the cold. Not the "Oo! Now that'll wake you up" type of cold but the "damn, make the hair grow on your freshly shaven legs" type cold.

Or,

If I want to comment on the last NPR story to hit my ears. I found the topic of virtual reality as therapy for PTSD in returning troops quite fascinating and shot it (no pun intended) over to the wife of an old high school buddy of mine currently serving his 3rd tour in Iraq. Thank you troops!

Or, if I want to relay the latest tidbit from Matt Cutts' blog or Bruce Clay -- both on my must read blog list. As is The Lactivist and The Dresden Dolls blogs.

Anyway, I hope this comes as a bit of Fresh Air. Fresher anyway, than the moving commentary and typical blog posts that are often updates.

Today marks the transition.

Look for more soon!