Central and Eastern European Blog Camp 2008

Today was the main day of Central and Eastern European Blog Camp '08.

I didn't really know what to expect but wanted to see what was going on and what topics the event would cover. I was asked to speak on a panel about blogging in English in Ukraine but the session was bumped for some reason. After attending a few sessions, I was really bummed about this because I realized that a lot of the topics were focused on the structure of what we call new media or technology and not content. I don't know if Eastern Europe is ready for my thoughts on blogging but maybe next year! I really liked how they had the "camp" set up. It was left up to the attendees to participate and set up panels and discussions and now that I understand how it works better I will try to get an interesting group or topic together next year.

It was very fascinating to hear people discuss how media works in Ukraine. Apparently in the next two years they will be facing the same "problem" they are having in the States as far as newspapers losing readers and having to deal with the new media or the blogging phenomenon. I have to use the quotes on "problem" because I firmly believe it's not a problem, just a change in how media works and how we will understand and get our news. I think that blogging has opened up the world and gives many a voice they otherwise would never have. I for one, think new media is way better than the old media.

If you want to really understanding new media and how journalism/newspapers are changing, then I highly recommend the book, "Blog" by Hugh Hewitt.

I had a fun time "people watching." I learned a few things:

1. An ardent blogger will carry their laptop and camera with them at all times.

2. An even more ardent blogger will have the laptop open and running at all times.

3. Bloggers are global. They don't care what language they speak as long as they can communicate.

4. There are bloggers who take more photos more than Emily does. At one session, a locked door stubbornly refused to work and suddenly eight people took out their cameras to take a photo of the guy trying to unlock the door.