Johannes Gutenberg has been described as an engineer, a scholar, and an entrepreneur. I believe it was those three driving characteristics that fueled his desire to create something that was unique, brilliant in design and that added value to his community.
The revolutionary creation of movable type provided the method by which a mass communication would take place. Scholars argue that it was the Gutenberg’s press that ushered in the Renaissance era, an era that at the core was a cultural shift and a resurgence of learning. Had Gutenberg created the original Wordpress?
Interesting enough is the fact that the single letters were assembled in a rectangular box and then placed in what some historians believe was a press influenced by the wine presses in the German region where Gutenberg lived.
Without trying to make too much of a correlation to the communication era we are living in now and the communication revolution of the 14th century, is it possible that we might be in a Gutenberg moment? Over the last 500 hundred years, we have gone from a one-to-one form of communication to a one-to-many form of distribution of information to now a mass-to-mass distribution of information driven by individuals.
Have we stumbled upon this moment not realizing the significance? Have we, by adding 140 characters to tiny rectangles linking to world changing events, unknowingly participated in a cultural shift once again? Have we rearranged the letters and symbols in such a way that a new mobile type has dawned?
Speaking from my own experience, I would have to answer, yes! I have been engulfed by this social wave and experienced the passion of learning new things based on the timeless categories of relationships, life, and purpose.
Every day I find new blogs, updates on Facebook, tweets on Twitter, pictures on Flickr and videos on YouTube all making unique expressions, some beautiful in design and each adding value to a global community.
You’ve got to love David Letterman, right. When Letterman speaks people listen. I think he could easily become a social media mogul. His insight to the future of social media and technology places him on target with Biz Stone and Bill Gates. Well maybe NOT, but this little skit from him is hilarious! Great warm up to the Tallahassee tweetup tonight! Enjoy.
Tallahassee Tweetup Warmup
If you haven’t met Biz Stone, you are in for a treat. He’s a down to earth guy, who happens to be a genius. Biz is the Co-founder of Twitter and also helped make Xanga, Blogger, Odeo, and Obvious. He has published two books about social media and have a more professional profile on LinkedIn. Here is a recent interview with
There is a second part to the interview over at TechCrunch and it is worth checking out too! Visit TechCrunch
- What is your media channel doing to understand social web communities?
- What role does senior management have in developing new ways to train staff on social web strategies?
- How do you respond to Jeremiah’s statement about “old models” of advertising?
- How does your company view new opportunities in Social Colonization?
- How do you deliver smaller more contextual, relevant products to you clients?
I just can’t get away from the crazy guy from Wine Library TV! This guy is uber contagious! If you haven’t heard of Gary Vaynerchuk, stop reading this blog and YouTube him right now! Notice I didn’t say Google him. As a passionate entrepreneur who thinks the old rules are ridiculous, Gary is my new super hero! Although I am a huge fan of Google, reading an article about Gary doesn’t even come close to seeing him face to face. Are you still reading this? Stop it, seriously. OK, forget it! Just click the video below and watch for yourself. (Warning: Gary uses BIG words not good for little ears!) Put on your earphones, so your cubical buddy can’t listen in while you get your YouTube mojo!!!
If you listened to that and you’re not ready to pursue your dream with 100% passion, then you must be inhaling way too much of the corporate toxins being pumped through the ventilation shafts. Try this: Pull up a Word document, in big, bold letters type, “I AM BATMAN!”(or CATWOMAN). Now, go to the copy room and make 100 copies and leave it on the copier. Don’t let anyone know that it was you. Shhhh, it’s our little secret.
If you are even 1% unhappy with where you are in your occupational role, do something about it TODAY!
Let me help you get started. Tonight after everyone is asleep, go to GoDaddy.com. Condense what you are most passionate about into two words or less and type that in the domain search bar, top right corner of the page. If that domain is taken, then try a couple different combinations until you get one that is available. Now, BUY it! For less than what you spend at AMC 20 on a movie, popcorn and a drink, you can take ownership in your own digital space. If you don’t do it tonight, I don’t ever want you to read this blog again; It will only make you more depressed. Come on, just do it. You are going to CRUSH it!
Now that’s the way to start off the weekend!
My name is Michael Winn, and I am OBSESSED with New Business!
