Last week I sat on a panel at Fisk University discussing the future of media and how what journalism students need to know in order to get a job. In the midst of the discussion it dawned on me that the students we were talking to have a slim chance at getting a job after graduation. It’s sad but true, media companies are downsizing every day, so what is an experienced media professional (it’s not just journalists) let alone a student with no experience supposed to do? Become an Entrepreneur.

Traditional media companies have cost structures that hurt innovation, they can be bureaucratic, and are managed by very smart managers who manage the business the old tried and true way. Innovative Media companies learn how to survive with lower cost structures, are less bureaucratic, and are not tied to the past. But here’s the thing, it’s not just media.

I heard just this morning how the Music Industry was undergoing similar disruption. I think the Financial breakdown will bring about similar disruption with new innovative companies challenging established firms. Almost everywhere you look, retail, automotive, financial, media people are starting to reevaluate the business model.

The days of having the same job for 30 years is long gone, we’ve learned that people don’t stand a chance against the bottom line, and the the only true security is the security that you create. Read Rich Dad Poor Dad, they talk about multiple streams of income. Read the Millionaire Next Door, most wealty people are Entrepreneurs. If you are in the Media Business then I would suggest that you 1. improve your skills learn to do more than one thing and 2. start a business doing something you love don’t rely on just one source of income because it might not be there tomorrow.

This clip has a few bad words, may not be suitable for work

http://www.thewebsiteisdown.com

Yesterday was the first Digitan Nashville mixer.  There were about 72 attendees, it was awesome.  This is real Social Networking at its best.
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I’m currently an iPhone owner and think it’s by far the best mobile device I’ve ever owned.  I used to be one of those people that needed a <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Utility-belt.jpg” target=”_blank”>batman utility belt</a> to carry around all the different devices I was carying.  I had an iPod, a Black Berry for work, and a personal cellphone, it was crazy!  The iPhone was my saving grace.

When the iPhone 3G was announced at <a title=”WWDC” href=”http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0806wdt546x/event/index.html” target=”_blank”>WWDC </a>I was on the tip of my computer chair (Because I watched it online), I couldn’t wait to get it, I was so excited.  Now there’s a choice I need to make, is it worth the additional $199 + the $10 increase per month in the data plan to upgrade to the iPhone 3G?

I’ve gone back and forth but ultimately I’m going to pass on today’s festivities.  I will most likely upgrade at some point in the near future but I’m not away from a wireless connection long enough to really worry about the 3G network and I don’t use GPS while I’m driving so I can wait.

The firmware update should give me access to the Appstore where I can get what I’ve really been wanting on my iPhone, Games.

In this clip a reporter is on in Iowa covering the flood damage when you hear an all too familiar sound.

Today is my birthday.  I’m a year older, a year wiser, and happy to still be here.  Thanks to all those that sent their birthday wishes, I really appreciate it.  I want to share one of those birthday wishes from Carter Smith.

I had the opportunity attend day 1 of the 2008 Generation Tennessee Conference
which was held in the Downtown Nashville Public Library. Generation Tennessee is a group of professionals who are committed to effect positive changes in Tennessee.

Unfortunately I was only able to stay to hear Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton give is un-keynote speach. (he said that it wasn’t a keynote so I guess it had to be an un-keynote). He was an excellent presenter and had many inspirational things to share with us. Some of the key takeaways were:

-Make it a point to remember names, it makes people feel as if you really care for them
-The people you meet today will come around again in the future so be kind to everyone
-Strive to leave people in a better state of mind than when you met them
-Be yourself

The conference is a two day conference Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will be giving a keynote speech tomorrow. I will definitely be in attendance.

Special thanks to Marcus Whitney for inviting me to this conference.

I have to apologize for not taking any pictures today, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll be sure to take some pictures and video to share with you tomorrow.

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” So said J.K. Rowling, the empress of Harry Potter-mania who spoke at Harvard University’s commencement on what can be learned from failure, as it strips away the inessential, and the importance of imagination as the “fount of all invention and innovation.”

Watch the live video recording.

[alternate video link]

Download the audio recording.
Get the MP3 here

Clay Shirky’s talk on Cognitive Surplus

Fortune has some early looks at the new 3G iPHone. I don’t know if these are real pictures since Apple is notorious for not leaking photos of new products.

From the looks of things the new iPhone will be thinner, will be available in multiple colors, and will will have a few new features.

I’ve had my iPhone for less than 9 months but It’s been the best phone/pda/entertainment device/mapping tool I’ve ever had. There are rumors that AT&T will offer some kind of subsidy for people who have had their iPhone for less than a year, if that’s that’s the case then I’m going to upgrade.