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iphazard
Posts:87
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| 11/02/2006 9:48 AM |
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The following text was added by community member "1ofus" in the "We Have More To Say" chapter of the book. I'd like to see a discussion in the community about this concept.
"I would like to suggest we take a look at the content and presentation of the book from the perspective of prospective readers. When I did so yesterday it became clear to me that the breakthrough for the book lies in understanding 'readers' in a new light.
Here is how I see it. This project is called We Are Smarter Than Me. So, focus is on us as authors. The breakthrough in opening the creative process to a self organising community of authors will no doubt be significant. Let us address the flip side. What would the tag line be for our community of readers? I suggest we start with I Know What I Need Better Than They. In other words, the self organisation part for the readers lies in the potential freedom for them to choose parts of the book they want and arrange them in the order they see fit.
This would be a true iPod generation book! Think about ability to 'shuffle'. Or have the 'top 10' Chapter hit list. And, book can continue to grow and change dynamically. Readers can become new authors, enrich the Chapters kind of new cover version of the original.
I have no idea what are the implications wrt publishers. Technology is here and this kind of distribution is already starting to happen. It would open the possiility for differential pricing for readers in developing countries. Foreign language readers could produce translations (as they do voluntarily for Google interfaces), thus allowing for almost simultaneous availability in a global market. I could go on....
Opportunities are really exciting. I would like to help make this new vision happen. Who knows, it just might ignite much more activity here." |
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joe_flum
Posts:151
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| 11/09/2006 11:32 PM |
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Great idea Lilly! There's a lot of potential here.
But first my concerns:
1) I can't help but find myself considering that looming book-deadline. One of the trickiest things about this project (at least to me) is the necessary balance between free flowing creativity and ensuring that a final product is produced. While I definately think that we should explore the idea, we should also consider, how would this impact the schedule?
2) Are the organizing sponsors (ie the board) open to parrallel experimentation? This "experiment" can go in many directions, and they don't necessarily need to relate to the actual "book" project. Is there support for members to take detours in order explore these important ideas?
Just consider those points, now on to the idea itself.
You've captured one of the most interesting aspects of this project. There exists a duality here. On the one side, we are all working together to write this book. So in some sense, we could say that this project is about the final product, the book and thoughts published within.
But on the other hand, the book is just an excuse to see what the community can do. So we have sort of a meta-project. Sometimes it's good to play around with our assumptions. Right now, we are 'assuming' that our efforts will result in a physical book format, but what else could it be? Maybe it's not just one expression of our "collectiveness" but instead a series of iniciatives?
What if, the book was thought of simply as a foundation? A type of glue to connect different iniciatives? What satellite projects would help illustrate the ideas that the books puts forth?
One idea is this 'self serve' book that you describe. A virtual version of the book in which the concepts are modular and can be re-organized and re-written by the users according to their interests? What would be the motivation for the user to re-organize the content? Would this simply be a wiki format with search functionality, or can we think up something a little bit crazier?
Another idea, is to look at syndication technologies such as RSS. How can the information be sindicated and integrated into other contexts? What would motivate our readers to want to recieve updates on the book's evolution? I don't know if the novelty factor is strong enough to keep the interest.
What if it was a system in which decisions are shared amongst the whole community? Imagine recieving content on your cell phone, with the option to vote or rate the content, and in so doing allow indirect participation without the time requirements of a forum or wiki?
Could the ideas of idea markets play into the process? In what moments would the readers/members come in contact and participate?
I'm going to chew on this.
cheers,
joe
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jm04469
Posts:18
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| 11/24/2006 9:36 AM |
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| Don't worry about publishing deadlines as they are arbitrary determined. Since no one actually got an advance for contributing, publishers should stay focused on quality over simply hitting a deadline. |
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1ofus
Posts:103
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| 11/24/2006 6:35 PM |
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I still think a 'living book' that is 'current' not out of date in years time would be an exciting possibility.
PUblishers want to print stuff - great, let us agree on date for Issue 1. Yet, that is not the end for contributions - in fact, I would have the invite to contribute included in all printed copies.
That would be different, having First readers writing Second issue! |
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