— August 2004 —
IMHO, our latest show — IMHO: Blogging, Politics, and Personal Voice — turned out even better than I'd hoped. (You the audience are heartily encouraged to support or contradict that in the comments.)
It was an ambitious assortment of luminaries for us to gather together, and I think our panelists all rose to the challenge. (Well, I guess I can't count John Perry Barlow, who probably would've been great but was apparently running from the police after some reckless protesting or dancing.) I really dig the fact that panelists and audience members hashed out a number of contradictory opinions in a thoughtful, respectful way. I wish it were as easy to debate politics on their own as it was to debate how we write and talk about politics (and, you know, life in general).
A great success of this event, IMHO (can you tell I'm not tired of that joke yet?), was that we got a bunch of people in the audience to get pretty involved in the discussion. That's always a goal of a good panel, but not so easily done. Not only were the panelists rocking the house, but folks in the audience (a pretty savvy bunch, it seemed) really added some great perspectives.
I'm still processing a lot of my reactions to what was said, and I hope we can get some reminiscing and further discussion going here in the comments, but one remark made by Douglas Rushkoff is sticking in my head for now (I can only paraphrase): "The blogosphere is an ecology, not an economy." I realize my sympathy with that idea places me one side of what could have erupted into a bigger debate, but it sums up what has kept me at this for so many years: the interactions more than the measurable results.
Also, a woman in the audience expressed some skepticism about blog culture replacing the kind of community activity she'd experienced as an activist in earlier decades. She worried that thousands of individuals at home, in the dark, by themselves couldn't be as great a force. I disagree with that concern, largely because it's always been my experience that blogging (by which I mean writing, reading, interacting online) has almost always led to more social activity, not less. After all, we got about a hundred people together to talk about this stuff tonight, right? Just like we consistently manage to get a crowd together once a month for our other shows. It''s just another way to get in touch with other people, not to push them away.
Anyway, if you were there, let us know what you thought. And if you're curious, we have some pictures. (Also, feel free to send us any you might have taken.)
Hey gang! Don't forget our extra-special WYSIWYG show this Tuesday!
IMHO: Blogging, Politics, and Personal Voice
Tuesday, August 31st at 7 p.m.
P.S. 122
150 1st Ave. at East 9th St.
No one can deny that the internet has changed the face of campaigning and politics. From MoveOn.org to candidates' individual web sites, the Internet is playing a crucial role in the upcoming election. One significant aspect of the Internet's influence is the proliferation of weblogs. From the so-called "war-blogs" to the political satire of Wonkette.com to sites devoted to cultural trends and politics in general, blogs have provided an outlet for countless voices who previously had no access to a mass media platform. We have invited some of the most influential and popular bloggers to discuss their experiences and the state of blogging and politics.
With moderator Jeff Jarvis (buzzmachine.com)
And an all-star panel of political blogging heavyweights:
Douglas Rushkoff (Rushkoff.com)
Jen Chung (Gothamist)
Cam Barrett (Camworld)
Julian Sanchez (Hit and Run)
John Aravosis (AmericaBlog)
John Perry Barlow (Barlow.typepad.com)
Please note that Ana Marie Cox (Wonkette) has dropped out due to another obligation. As far as we know, everyone else is still on, though!
Tickets are $7, and can be purchased the night of the panel or in advance by calling 212-477-5288 or by visting TicketWeb!
This event is presented as part of the Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues & Ideas, a citywide cultural festival designed to inspire, instigate and support civic engagement. From August 28–September 2 the Imagine Festival will present over 100 cultural events in 6 days including concerts, performances, forums, town meetings, exhibits, screenings, and other issue-based artworks.
Brought to you by P.S. 122 and CultureBot, as always. Ain't they sweet?
You know, we do more than just read around here! WYSIWYG alum Khythryne Aisling, for instance, makes and sells gooooorgeous jewelry - and she's having a $5 off special right now on some of her pearl pendants and earrings. Ooooh, purty!
Can't get enough readings? WYSIWYG alum and Be More Chill author Ned Vizzini's reading series at Barbes is fun, free, and chock full o' WYSIWYGgers! Here are just a few of his upcoming shows...
Thursday, September 2nd
Ned Vizzini himself, WYSIWYG Ringmaster Chris, and Michael Weinreb
Thursday, September 16th
The de-lovely Nichelle, along with Clay McLeod Chapman
Thursday, September 30
WYSIWYG alum Mike Daisey and Lisa Dierbeck
Also, be sure to check out Ned's "Feed the Young Writers" show, September 28!
In addition to tonight's "'Make Nice'? MY ASS!" you can entertain yourself with WYSIWYG folks ALL weekend if you want. Our talented performers really get around!
Friday:
Two-time WYSIWYGger Brian Grosz's band Children of Logic is playing along with the Saucers at 10:30 at Grand Central Bar, 659 Grand Street in Williamsburg.
Saturday:
Everyone's favorite ukelele cuties The Hazzards, who brought down the house with their international homoriffic hit "Gay Boyfriend" at our "That's So Gay!" show in June, will be rocking Jersey City Pride on the waterfront at Exchange Place in beautiful downtown Jersey City. More info right here.
Sunday:
Funny lady Jessica Delfino is just one of many folks who'll be taking the stage at Bush Bash. It starts at 3pm at Cafe 111 (111 Court Street between State & Schermerhorn), costs $10, and is a benefit for MoveOn PAC. More info here!
Tonight, kids!
THE CARNIVAL OF LIES
August 26th 2004
9:00 pm until late
Vital Theater - 432 West 42nd Street
(between 9th & 10th Avenues on the corner of Dyer)
Come Celebrate Dissent
$8 cover - Includes 1 drink ticket (and WYSIWYG alum GirlyNYC will be tending bar!)
$1 "Refreshment" special!
$100 with membership proof of the Republican Party
THE CARNIVAL OF LIES is a multi-sensory interactive event with DJs, performers and visual artists to welcome the Republic National Convention to New York and provide information of protest events happening throughout the Convention. This is part of the Vital
Theater Company series "'Make Nice?' My Ass!," the Republican Convention Welcome Wagon Variety Show.
More info right here.
John Perry Barlow, one of our panelists for next week's "IMHO: Blogging, Politics, and Personal Voice," has a series of protests planned for next week's RNC:
"Those of you who often read this blog will recall that, in my last post, I hatched a plan to (very mildly) disrupt the Republican Convention here in New York next week.
"Along with fifty or sixty others, I'm going to dance at them. Dividing ourselves into several platoons of guerrilla dancers disguised as ordinary pedestrians, we are going to roam the sidewalks in Republican rich zones, periodically erupting into wild and inexplicable explosions of dancing. We will sustain these for a few minutes before melting back into the crowd and heading off to strike someplace else. I believe this will throw them off their game just slightly, since most of them don't or won't dance and are unsettled by those who do. (Q: Do you know why Southern Baptists don't make love standing up? A: Because someone might think they were dancing.)"
More here.
Hope y'all are excited about next week's "IMHO: Blogging, Politics, and Personal Voice" panel! Whore it up, tell all your friends, and please join us for what should be a pretty fascinating evening.
You may not have noticed this, but this event is part of the Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues & Ideas, a really spiffy citywide cultural festival running from August 28 through September 2. Check it out!
Just to let everyone know that Team WYSIWYG has put together the (likely) schedule for the series for all of next year! Of course, everything is subject to change, but you might want to start marking your calendars now. Also — if you want to read/perform then send us your URL, your idea and a little bit of background.
Thanks, see ya in August and all of the upcoming year!
WYSIWYG Talent Show Dates and Themes for 2004–2005:
September 21: Bullies and Mean Girls: The Back-to-School WYSIWYG!
October 20: Psychos I Have Dated or Worked For or Both
November 16: You Can Go Home Again! (But You Probably Shouldn't)
December 14: Never Again! Unfortunate New Year's Resolutions and Other Bad, Bad, Bad Decisions
January 25: Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Missed Connections and Crossed Wires.
February 15: Spawn. Of. Worst. Sex. Ever.
March 22: Those Darn Kids: Tales by Parents and Former Children
April 19: Adult Children of (Insert Religion Here)
May 17: Arrested Development: I Fought the Law and the Law Won
June ??: I Love a Parade! The Pride Show.
Miss Rachel's interview today on Gothamist is with yet another WYSIWYG alum - the pantylicious GirlyNYC!
Spiffy! Check out the Ned Vizzini interview on Gothamist by Rachel Kramer Bussel, who is also a WYSIWYG alum.
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