"In dealing with the future, at least for the purposes at hand, it is more important to be imaginative and insightful than to be one hundred percent 'right'." - Alvin Toffler, Future Shock
This quote, from the opening chapter of Axel Bruns's Blogs, Wikipedia, Second Life, and Beyond: From Production to Produsage, is one I hadn't read until this past week. I open this post with it because it illustrates where I've gone wrong thus far as a produser, both in my professional and personal work. I've long been the kind of person who wants to master something before demonstrating it to another person. My father tells a story of my reluctance to begin speaking as a child (no laughter, please) until the day I was sitting on the top of the chest freezer in the garage - I was nearing two at the time, I guess - and asked him, "What are you doing now, Daddy?" And then I was off, chattering away like, well, like I do now, I suppose.
As a professional, I have spoken at a conference on use of virtual classroom technology. I also present occasionally to my colleagues, discussing technologies I've researched, best practices I've recognized, but I am beginning to think that my contributions are not enough. I know that whenever I prepare for a presentation, or ready a job aid to post to our community reference database, I always learn something new. I want to ensure whatever I'm putting up is the best possible content I can offer at the time. This blog is no exception.
The other challenge I think I've run into repeatedly is that I don't have a narrow focus of what I want to contribute. I like Facebook in particular because I can share just about any kind of content. I do like this blog because it has a scope - the exploration of Web 2.0 technologies. But I myself am such a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none" type person that my energy goes in many different directions. I think a cooking blog would be fun, but I also love movies, music, and books. Some people combine topics successfully in their products, but I haven't yet decided how, or if, I want to do that. And yet, if I wait too long, anything I add may be irrelevant.
So, to a certain extent, I'm already a produser - and though I grapple with the pronunciation of that word, I like it: one who uses as well as produces content. I think my current exploration will increase my understanding of these various technologies, as well as help me identify where I want to add my two cents.
Web 2.0 Gets Real
15 years ago
Posts
Yes, I agree that you are already, to some degree, a produser. I am enjoying reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat you're describing is pretty common, I think. Most people have a bit of what I would call "perfectionist syndrome" lurking within, and it's a good thing as long as you use it to strive for excellence without shutting down or shying away when you know your efforts will be less than perfect.
ReplyDeleteI know I've struggled with visibly participating in areas where I don't feel I have sufficient expertise. However, I've also found that no matter how strong my expertise I'll still be challenged by someone and when I just jump in and don't worry about it too much things end up being fine.
So the question is: Where do you want to jump in? :)
I was very impressive to know that you are the professional who is making deep contribution to introduce about virtual technologies. Every day there are some changes and innovation. I also feel like I am not the person who updates all changes of rapid innovation.
ReplyDeleteI had similar thought as you. When we think of being produser in Web2.0 world, it is hard to focusing on one topic. I totally understand what you mean by “your energy goes in many different directions”. I am expecting how you will combine your interested topics in your produsage !!!