Social Media Worldforum Europe, London - first day

Sitting at the Social Media Worldforum Europe today I see the even is receiving rather negative feedback from bloggers and social media specialists. Morning workshops on government in social media and cloud computing based on example of Huddle proved this criticism right - I have not heard anything new, and the sentence 'Does anyone here know Twitter?' made me shiver and realize that or the target audience was not clarified properly (providing the target audience IS people less experienced in social media - but then we would not have the motto 'Shaping the Future of Social Media', I believe) or the idea is to introduce less savy attendees to social media today and later on move to actual case studies, insights and sharing knowledge.

Lunch was tricky for bloggers. Wifi was up and down, as well as electricity in bloggers section. I think it is fixed though;)

After lunch I moved to the conference part of the event - maybe I should have done so in the first place, as the presentation now seems more interesting. I do not like the idea of trying to change terminology - why is social media such a bad term? but I will see where we are heading with this presentation and keep you posted. I am glad to see points about Radian6 and similar professional social media measurement tools and their relation to the real world.

I know there are few bloggers who had to leave today and will read our updates, so I hope to write more later, if the wifi works well;)

So far I am not sure what to think of the event, this is what I am sitting in at now:

Social Media Forum - my bits

As I have posted already, I am planning to blog from Social Media Forum hosted in London Olympia on the 14-15th of March. I had a quick look at agenda (you can find a good breakdown of all sessions here), and my first picks are:

All those tweets basically link here, so check it out;) I am glad I can life-stream from my iPhone now, so I really hope to bring some interesting bits for my readers. If there is anything specific you want me to share, do let me know!;)

Social Media Forum

You have probably seen the badge on my blog already. When I visited Paula, my friend from Global Voices based in London we decided to attend this event, and now that I know Euan is going to present, I really look forward to it.  Before I start feeding info from the Social Media Forum Europe I owe you a bit of explanation on this one, hoping you will join us there;) It's an established event which I have followed for a while now, and I am glad it is happening in our area again.The impressive list of speaking makes me even happier, so thanks to Six Degrees Events from Bristol for organising!:)

The topics will vary and the range is very impressive, myself I am interested in mobile social media and cloud computing. Let's see how it goes!:) It's planned for 15-16th of March, so I'll consider it a treat to myself before the work on Twestival (25th) really kicks off!;)

Global Voices London Meet Up

This Friday in London you can meet the faces behind GlobalVoices!

I learned so much working for GlobalVoices so far, that it's heard to gather in few points, I will however attempt.

1. Media is never what it seems.

2. Media has no power at all when in comparison to blogging.

3. It's damn difficult to post an article (even about your own country) and not to offend anyone.I posted four articles about Poland and generated few quite upset comments already. (not that I aim to respond to silly ones, nope).

4. It's difficult to separate facts from opinions, and present actual opinions too:) but I am learning.

5. It's honourable to be a blogger in a country where freedom of speech is an abstract phrase - honourable and dangerous. I consider those bloggers heroes.

6. It's a privilege to translate their words and spread the word in my language speaking communities. I just wish I had more time to do more of it.

But hey, I am about to meet GV contributors this Friday in London and I am very, very excited to see them all!

If you want to join us, feel free to - both on Friday, both on-line - just here.

#gaza

...continues and becomes a part of my life too. It's easy to watch the news and say: all right, there must be a reason behind the war, there must be politics behind it...

It's different however if someone you actually work with (on Global Voices) sends the news:



We are talking about humanitarian aid.

We are talking about helping innocent citizens (regardless the country, regardless the situation):/

We are talking about a conflict that is ACTUALLY HAPPENING - no one can hide that!!!

We are also talking about the freedom of speech.

We are talking about freedom of speech on-line.

Yes, role of an ambassador should be secured, I agree. Historically speaking a nation should have the right to explain their views without risks. And I do not think Chavez is my idol, however in the time of silence I believe that expelling Israeli Ambassador from Venezuela is a crucial, international statement. And we need more of those...

I watch BBC news and I actually find it disturbing to watch Israeli Ambassador in London studio talking about war as if it were a deserved punishment, as if Gaza citizens were not even humans! We are talking about an attack on (so far) 660 innocent people - more than a 100 of kids. KIDS?!I see a woman talking emotionless about a slaughter of innocent children and I DO NOT COMPREHEND. (just a minute later I see a farther paying last kiss on his baby boys cold cheek - he already lost his wife and one son, this is the last member of his family to pass away - and you know what? I do not give a f@@@ about politics, who started or who will finish...I just want it to stop...

We are looking at people dying in a city with not even an option to move away, run, escape or at least treat their wounds...Hamas might be using them as human shields, but someone else is firing at those HUMANS and the world is just watching...

Call me naive but in the 21st century I find it irrational, impossible, unacceptable to have a war at all! Yes, there is politics involved, but why did we all give green light to mission to Iraq, and we just stand and watch Gaza?!

Do not get me wrong, I am not saying Hamas is saint - we all seem to see both sides of the confilict. I just cannot see the incentive to resolve it peacefully at all.

And I just think to myself - social media is giving so much input on the conflict, and still - even here - the war is on.

It gets to my bones too.

I feel almost agressive about someone potentially trying to touch my content on-line. The very thought scares me, so I cannot imagine what those poor men, women, children must go through in Gaza. I cannot even imagine.