Thank you for sharing

Very pleased to see so many smart and engaging personalities co-mingling ideas and energy at Raincity Studios last night for our open conversation about the Olympics and "all of us".

The 48 attendees represented many ages, motivations, backgrounds, and media channels from blogs, pods, newspapers, PR peeps, photographers, and so on. By the end, the conversations were bubbling and gifts exchanged and enthusiasm mounting.

My colleagues and I wanted to set the tone for a productive and inclusive project for anyone to participate in - no matter where they come from physically or philosophically. Scales and Krug's remarks pointed out that we are apolitical, eager, and open for collaboration. I also think the passion for making media, changing the landscape, and being truly welcoming to our international peers came through.

What do you think? It's up to all of us to grab ahold and create something noteworthy. Are you in?

Next steps

- Talk about what this centre might be - write on your blog, with your friends, on your podcast, twitter, facebook, whatever ... but i encourage you to speak and brainstorm publicly about where could it be, what kind of programming, who's invited, how do we manage it, how do we pay for it?

- Tell your friends/colleagues/contacts - this project will require diverse resources from legal advisers to catering connections - spread the word and see who's interested in this experiment.

- Join up - there is a Google Group and a Google Site - confusing? Sure. The Group manages the mailing list and has informal group work space. The Site is more of a Olympic Media resource toolbox. Sign-up. Ping me for collaborator permissions for the Site.

Group: http://groups.google.ca/group/vancouver-2010-alternative-media

Site: http://sites.google.com/site/vancouver2010alternativemedia/

UPDATE: Sign up for the Group with a Google ID and I'll approve your request as soon as possible. Twitter @raincitystudios or email dave (at) raincitystudios (dot) com and i'll add you to the Site as a collaborator - be sure to sign up as a Participant to declare yourself involved. - daveo Monday, Dec. 8, 11:07

- Educate yourself - read the Protecting the Brand and relevant Copyright legislation, subscribe to Olympic-studies blogs and become an expert at something to share with the community.

- Create media - there are heaps of Olympic related stories going on now - both sporting events, venue construction/completion, along with budget boondoggles and contract snafus - write/pod/vlog etc.

- Hang out - the Skype channel didn't really get going as planned last night, but since I made a Vancouver Independent Media public chat, i'll keep the lights on for the banter