BlogNashville

I live just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and it's not often that a conference I want to attend is hosted here, so I was excited when I heard about BlogNashville. Unfortunately, the blogging panels coincided with the anniversary of my father-in-law's death, so I paid my respects rather than attend the conference.

I did, however, make it to Saturday night's "Food-for-Thought" dinner, hosted by Dave Winer. I had an enjoyable evening sitting around talking with Dave, Rex Hammock and a number of area bloggers. I've obviously been living in a cocoon, because I hadn't realized how many Nashville bloggers there are - I definitely need to join these folks more often.

Oh, and I was flattered to read that Dave considers me "a soft-spoken, gentle, thoughtful man." My friends may not agree (at least, not the "soft-spoken" part), but good first impressions are always nice :) Dave also wondered about my politics, and given that I used to be an editorial cartoonist, I guess it is surprising how infrequently I blog about political topics. So, for those who are curious, my politics can be summed up by stating that I love our constitution more than I love our flag.

Comments

[Yvonne Adams]

Good answer on the politics! :-)

[Jim Donat]

Here's a suggestion.

Keep politics out of this blog altogether. That's not why we're here.

Thanks, Nick.

[Nick Bradbury]

Fair enough, Jim. I'm not planning to delve into politics, just wanted to address Dave's comment.

[Morgan Pugh]

Jim: Why does it matter if Nick wants to talk about politics? Its *his* blog. If you don't like politics then just don't read that post. Its pretty simple.

Also its not why YOU are here. Not all of us. I read Nick's blog because I am interested in his opinion and find him an interesting and intelligent person who I have learnt from in the past 18 or so months (since I bought FeedDemon ;). If he wants to post about politics then he can, just as he can post about anything else that he wants.

[Ryan Guill]

here here morgan, well said.

[Kevin Newman]

FLAG-HATING DINNER ATTENDER LIVES IN COCOON. NEXT ON FOX.

And now, two reminders in one link:
http://www.43folders.com/2005/04/anne_lamott_on_.html

[Nick Bradbury]

Thanks, Kevin - I actually ordered that book when I got home, and subscribed to the 43 Folders feed as well :)

[Brian Carroll]

I've been reading your feed for nearly a year, and until now I had no idea that we live in the same town. Rest assured that you aren't the only one living in a cocoon.

[Woody]

Interesting Dave NEEDS to know your politics. Says a lot about him, and how he needs to judge people when he first meets them. Also, I agree about keeping politics out of this blog considering the topic. Your always going to piss someone off. Although your cartoons may be a good outlet for that, even maybe a seperate blog?

[Onno]

Here's another suggestion: just be always yourself, Nick! ;-)

[alan]

"Discussing" politics, religion, etc. seems to be a lost art. Nowadays, it seems as though people want to pigeonhole you or judge you as opposed to listening, and being willing to "agree to disagree." Nick & I may not agree on all political or religious issues, but I still like him as a person & he has great products!!

[Jeff Wilkinson]

I'm with Morgan Pugh. Post whatever you like. It's your blog. Anyone who doesn't want to read it doesn't have to.

I don't always agree with you but IMO you do speak gently and respectfully when you talk about political or social issues. Only someone looking for an argument will get torqued about it.

IMO, there is no need, but you *could* use blog categories to flag entries, so people could view by TS, FD, personal, whatever if they prefer.

[Nick Bradbury]

Thanks, Alan - that's actually the first non-smartass thing you've posted here ;)

It certainly does seem like "discussion" of anything remotely controversial is a lost art, and I believe it's getting worse as we become more polarized by the extremists who dominate the discussions.

As The Daily Show points out so well, our popular media focuses on the loudest among us because people want to see conflict rather than reasonable discussion, to the detriment of our nation as a whole. Instead of reasoned debate, we want to watch people shouting at each other, with no hope of compromise or resolution.

And as much as I enjoy blogging, I question whether blogs are any better than the mainstream media at resolving issues - in fact, in many ways they're worse because people aren't dealing with each other face-to-face.

[Steve Ray]

Well, I'd say that the mainstream media only deals with issues face-to-face during interviews, and they're *broadcasting*, which by definition is a one-way transmission. At least blogs allow for true conversation.

Blogs are outlets, and the more viewpoints which have an outlet, the better. So, blog on (about whatever you like)!

[Dave Winer]

Woody, a couple of things. I don't need to know his politics. Second, it was a highly political conference we were at.

[Jeff Wilkinson]

If you want some broadcast media that does spend a little more time on calm and thoughtful discussion instead of the sound bites and fighting for entertainment junk, check out your local NPR radio stations.

On my daily commute I have enough in-car time that I grew to hate most commercial radio stations long ago for their short-playlist repetition and so forth. I spent a couple of years listening to book tapes but ran through most of what our library had. Since then I've gotten hooked on NPR.

Like anything they aren't always perfectly balanced on sides of issues, but they tend to have research and shows that clearly show they really try to present issues honestly with input from various points-of-view.

And, on the NPR discussion shows, they treat callers and guests respectfully and keep the tone calm. Most guests seem to be selected not for the most public and rampant ones, but for experts in issues who can offer useful information and discussion.

Frankly, the type of show that just pits 2 fanatics from sides of an issue against each other as agressively as possible is a complete waste of my time, and I won't listen to that kind of thing. Nothing meaningful or trustworthy is presented in that kind of show.

I'd rather hear intelligent people who can calmly discuss things respectfully and admit the possibility of compromise even when they strongly disagree. Particularly people who can recognize that those on 'the other side' are also intelligent and well-meaning and deserve to be heard even when they disagree. That's the only hope for a society. If we can't listen to each other how can we live together?

[Desmond Lee]

Proposal for a blog-reader's examination :
"Politics is the art of persuading chickens to cluck for Colonel Saunders".
"Economics is a game that teaches losers why winners deserve to make the rules."
Do you find the above :
(a) amusing
(b) cynical
(c) both
(d) neither
Choose ONE response and give reasons for your choice. Extra marks will be awarded for wit AND conciseness.