Hazily through the smoke we can already spy 2007. Another lap of the sun almost done. Only 94 more years until the 22nd Century. 2010 seems strange enough. And what did we learn in 2006?
Decentralised, Diverse Media = Good
TIME magazine named “YOU’ their person of the year for 2006 – for seizing the reigns of global media, and generating your own passionate content. And indeed, any techmagazine’s end-of-year list of the tired, wired and on fire will no doubt be championing the likes of Wikipedia, Flickr, MyTube & YouSpace etc. Give people more ways to connect, more ways to discover, more ways to communicate – and they’ll run with it in ways previously unimagined. These are just embryonic days though, the above sites mere catalysts for introducing people to the joys of being active media participants rather than spectators. The fun to look forward to is when a media literate and active population is carving out ever more of their own niches, nooks and crannies well away from any overarching profiteers.
Music Continues To Mutate
So many ways to find new music now, deliriously good. That’s all that matters, the business models will catch up eventually. Soundtrack for my year? Well, the last few months have been especially blessed by the likes of Tim Hecker, Casino Vs Japan, Skream, TTC, Ghislain Poirier, DJ C & endless gems found on the blogs of DJ Rupture, Wayne & Wax, Drty.Shdw.Prjkts, Analog Giant, Fluo Kids and half a million others. Typing, Tim Koch‘s ‘Faena’ blares wonderfully and demands to be added to the list. Local shout-outs to Suckaphish P Jones, Aleks & The Ramps, Potato Masta & 2 Pants Rotation, & Flying Scribble.