One of the questions I tossed out at the blogger dinner last night was this: How much of my book about darknets and the personal media revolution should I post in the blogosphere before publication?
I obtained a rough consenses that the most useful feedback loop would be created this way: By posting the entire outline of my book here, and then inviting individuals to let me know which chapter or chapters I should send to them by email.
I’m at the stage where I’ve got half the book written, almost all of the reporting done, and — given the nature of what I’m writing about (the bottom-up nature of participatory media, collaborative publishing, emerging technologies) — it just makes sense to open up the process to anyone who’s interested in participating. I’m looking for high-level observations about where I may be off the mark, or any information or anecdotes that I’ve overlooked and ought to be included. (I’m not looking for micro-level line edits.)
If you’re interested in seeing a chapter, please email me here. At a later date, around the time of publication, I hope to post full chapters from the finished book online.
I can’t tell you the name of the book for a month or so, but its subtitle may be: Remixing the Future of Movies, Music and Television. Here’s a tentative outline.
Introduction
This book tells the stories of the strong personalities and colorful characters on both sides of the digital media revolution and brings to public attention the growing clampdown on how we’re permitted to use digital technologies.
Chapter 1: The Personal Media Revolution
A VJ remixes tunes while copyrighted images of movie and TV personalities flash on overhead screens at an underground dance club. Three teenage boys created a scene-by-scene remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark. These and other examples show the power of personal media, and point up the growing disconnect between digital culture, law, and the practices of big media.
Chapter 2: Culture Clash
Running down the players on both sides of the issue, from Larry Lessig and the free culture movement, to Jack Valenti, the RIAA, and the all-rights-reserved mindset.
Chapter 3: Inside the Movie Underground
Release and ripping groups, a chat with two movie pirates, and more.
Chapter 4: We Media
Tracing the rise of participatory media, including Joe Lambert and the Center for Digital Storytelling; Philip Gaines and fan’s-eye DVDs; the We Media report from New Directions for News; and a visit to DivXNetworks and the changes that decompression technologies will bring to video distribution.
Chapter 5: Cool toys Hollywood wants to ban
A look at various technology and legal battles, including Hollywood’s suit against DVD software makers that let you edit Hollywood movies to your family’s comfort level; past instances of the entertainment companies’ attempts to thwart innovation; the Illegal Art exhibit; the broadcast flag; technology innovators who express worry about being sued by Hollywood. (I may need the most help on this chapter.)
Chapter 6: A nation of digital felons
Interview with a Boston pastor who routinely violates the DMCA; interview with the VP of a major tech company who unknowingly violated the DMCA; the DMCA’s threat to innovation, including the freedom to tinker; Jed Horovitz’s documentary, Willful Infringement; some discussion of legal issues.
Chapter 7: Edge TV
A look at the future of television.
Chapter 8: The Digital Sound of Music
Everything related to music and new technologies, including file sharing, Internet radio, personalization and more. Interviews with Roger McGuinn of Byrds fame and Jim Griffin of Cherry Lane Digital.
Chapter 9: Architects of Darknet
Interview with Ian Clarke of Freenet, plus the future direction of darknets.
Chapter 10: Can Gamers Show Us a Way Out?
A look at innovative uses of IP licensing by video game companies, particularly Linden Lab, which grants ownership rights to users who create objects on their site.
Chapter 11: The New Breed of Computers
What the Trusted Computing Platform may mean for the general purpose computer.
Chapter 12: Crossroads for the Digital Revolution
Summary of the major issues involved and the choices facing us as a society.
JD Lasica, founder of Inside Social Media, is also a fiction author and the co-founder of the cruise discovery engine Cruiseable. See his About page, contact JD or follow him on Twitter.
JD's outline
JD has posted the outline of his new book and is looking for feedback. My feedback: It looks really interesting. BTW, I'm encouraged by the EFF's proposal for voluntary collective licensing, using the ASCAP/BMI model to help us find a way out of the mu…
JD–In the realm of participatory media, 4 MIT Media Lab projects you may be familiar with come to mind. One is the SilverStringers, who’ve published monthly for 8 years; another the Jr. Journal, now 5 years old, having had more than 300 participants from 90 countries (I can provide a list).
Also, there was Freshman Fishwrap, a personalized newspaper used on campus and also run in SFGate for a few years. Had reviews from students on a variety of things (my favorite: the lunchtime food trucks). Also had the “Weather Guy” cartoon. Knowing where you came from, it would generate a new drawing/blurb each day, such as: “If you were in San Diego, it would be sunny and in the 80s; instead, you are in Cambridge where it will be snowing and in the 30s.”
The Four Corners project, run by Alan Shaw and his wife, Michelle, brought together youth and adults in a troubled neighborhood. Worked quite well and was replicated in a large Jersey City development. The Shaws recently moved to Georgia, but the Jersey project could still be going. Not sure whether any of this helps. cheers, jack driscoll
Book Making on Blogs: Readers as Editors
There are so many now. Dan Gillmor was the first that I know of to use his blog to help write his book. Then JD Lasica began writing more and more on digital media and copyright in preparation for his…