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We, the Media

I know that my interest in the underlying support structures of civil society are not of day to day import to nonprofit leaders engrossed in their work, but I continue to look for examples of interdependencies that can get people to look up from their desks at the encroaching world around them. Last week's close call with U.S public broadcasting has focused my recent attention on the media. In that context, I can think of no more important book to recommend to you than Dan Gillmor's We, the Media, which is the best book yet on the future of journalism. It documents the forces that are democratizing the media and the reactions to those forces from the moneyed interests that stand to lose. Whether you're organization is already dependent on a relationship to the mainstream media, or if you have never had such a relationship, but you are engaged in something that is newsworthy to someone out there, you need to read this book. Posted: 6/26/05; 7:34:05 PM #

Hackers and Painters

I have more than once recommended the online essays of Paul Graham, so I'm surprised that it's taken me until now to recommend his book, Hackers and Painters. The title derives from a signature essay of his in which he makes some deep aesthetic and social connections between people who write code and fine artists. As someone who has had the honor and burden of managing some talented engineers, I can say that I agree with his connections. None of his essays, even the one on computer programming languages, are strictly for the technically adept. Some, like the one on design and research, is of value to any creative person or organization. I don't agree with Graham's politics in some places, but I always find myself in a wonderful thoughtful place after reading him. You might too. Posted: 6/26/05; 7:33:57 PM #