Once upon a time in 2004 there was a new media community- back then we called them Podcasters. They were passionate, excitable, and ready to jump on any new opportunity they could create for themselves. Podcasters flew from all over the world to hang out at conventions they organized. For three years, New Media brought people together. Friendships were forged, business ventures launched, and through it all some amazing creations made their way onto the internet. The New Media community felt like a family.

Now it’s gone; the community has dissipated. And that’s okay.

Seriously, it’s okay. It took me a while to realize it, but disappearance of community is just the next major step towards permanence. Sure, it was sad to see some exciting projects lose steam or dissolve entirely, but it’s just the way of things. From the toils of early adopters and pioneers come both fruit and chaff. Once the spring season for New Media ended, it was time to tend the plants. That’s when I began to lament the disappearance of the New Media Community.
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If you camp with me, this might just wake you up.

You’ve been warned.

Having just read Mitch Joel’s post, The End of Conversation in Social Media, I’ve been inspired to put into words something that’s been bouncing around in my skull for a while now. There are reasons conversation breaks down in the mass-media world of the internet, but I’ll have to explain a bit for you to understand. It’s a little geeky, but my brain runs on GeekOS so you’ll have to translate using whatever software your brain uses.

Ideas Are Just Files

Conversation as defined by the Oxford American Dictionary:

conversation |ˌkänvərˈsā sh ən|
noun
the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words

So conversation is the exchange of data from one brain to the next, like computers transferring files. It’s basic communication, right? Why do we as a human society have so much trouble with this? I’ve read studies that cite “Lack of communication” as the number one reason for divorce. Why is such a fundamental low-level task like exchanging data so complex and difficult for many to grasp?

Try thinking like a computer for a moment. The entire purpose of this blog post is to transfer a file, Conversation.idea from my brain into yours.

I’m typing on a Mac. With only 10% of the market share or less, chances are good you’re not reading this on a Mac. Not only are our brains two different machines, we’re very likely running on completely different software. Instead of three main options- Mac, Windows, Linux -every human being is running a unique version of an infinite number of operating systems. Philosophers would call this a “worldview” but philosophers don’t make the kind of money programmers do, so we’re sticking with my analogy.
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I just got back from Megaplex 2010 down in the Orlando area and I’m still reeling from the fun I had. This is the third year I’ve been asked to play a show at this convention, though this time I owe a special thank you to two sponsors who stepped up to make the show possible. Zachary Friedrich, an awesome fan and one of my new VIP’s, and Genesis Whitmore, another fan and web comic artist. Without these two, my appearance at the convention would not have happened.

That’s not why I chose the title for this post, however. This is more about Megaplex 2010’s guest of honor, Paul Zaloom. Most folks my age or slightly younger know him as the mad scientist with hair that won’t quit, Beakman. I enjoyed the opportunity to chat, drink, caffeinate, and stew in Florida’s heat with this award-winning actor, puppeteer, and comedian. I should add blossoming nerd as well since he may end up coming to more of these conventions as an attendee in the future. He’s delighted children for years now and inspired quite a few to become real-world scientists.

He also has a puppet with a talking penis.

Anyone who remembers Mr. Conductor shouldn’t be surprised at that last bit. It’s this duality that got me typing this morning. Sometimes I forget that the people who entertain our children are also, you know, people. Fully grown adults with the same sick sense of humor as me. Hello, ever heard the Thundercats outtakes before? I believe this duality is not only healthy but absolutely necessary to nurture the artist.

After his Beakman presentation at Megaplex, Zaloom regrouped for an original puppet show later that day, this time for adults only. The tone of the show was on a par with South Park and Robot Chicken, making most of us laugh while the rest run to cover the ears of nearby children. Yet, as with all good comedy, the bawdy veneer surrounded a collection of social statements and real-world issues. Honestly, without the grown-up comedy, discussing these issues in a clinical way would make some even more uncomfortable. It was all in good fun, but definitely not for the kids.

At the end of the day, Zaloom is simply himself. He can’t be kid-friendly all the time, neither could George Carlin. That’s the job of Beakman, a fictional character. If I expected Zaloom to be Beakman, I’d expect him to be only a fraction of who he is. An artist requires more than one expressive avenue like a plant requires more than just sunlight to survive. Proper care and feeding of an artist means that the audience must be mature enough to separate the man from the role.

Maybe next year we’ll see him back at Megaplex simply as Paul Zaloom. Though I won’t be able to return as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, I do hope that I can return simply as Matthew Ebel.

Found this and a few others on Lurdanjo’s Channel. In case you missed FA:U this year!