Elsewhere, U.S.A.: How We Got from the Company Man, Family Dinners, and the Affluent Society to the Home Office, BlackBerry Moms, and Economic Anxietyby Dalton Conley [Pantheon Books, New York 2008]
Hear ye, you wordsmiths of the web, you purveyors of pages, you iterators of information: Welcome to Elsewhere, U.S.A., a state of mind in which you are constantly moving; You are slinging nothing but ideas and giving up your leisure time to do it; You are working from home but are always available to the company via your Blackberry (which you are using to schedule your babysitters and manage your children); You hold the fear of the layoff or of lost earnings if you dare close your laptop long enough to have a McMeal with your family; You love your loft space or your recently-converted suburban bedroom/home office, until, of course, you get a look at your neighbors’, after which you shall work more feverishly than ever to stave off the envy and hopefully get that promotion or new account that will allow you, too, to put in the latest in soundproofing technology and remote-control window shades. Your very personality is being pulled apart by millions of messages. Welcome to Elsewhere, that constant state of motion and distraction that takes you anywhere and everywhere but here.
Dalton Conley, NYU sociologist, sounds the welcoming bell to you and me, the Weberati. We can do our jobs from anywhere with a decent internet connection. We work in information and produce ideas for a living. If we work for a manufacturer of actual physical products, we work far from the production line, most likely never experiencing a factory even on a training tour. We are today’s middle-class, white-collar worker. We work from home, we take our laptop on vacation, and we answer emails on our iPhones during the time-outs of our kid’s basketball game. We have this idea that if we just “get one more thing done” before bed, that our hours are well-spent, that our everlasting souls will be cleaned by hard work and that God will shower us with prosperity.
This latest book from prolific writer and academic researcher Conley traces the history behind the combination of work and leisure (“weisure”). Conley starts out the book unflinchingly nostalgic for the good ol’ days, when loyal IBM-ers were admired for their willingness to sing company songs and wear ties, as long as they had their nights and weekends free to play bridge and golf. Conley waxes on a bit about how leisure time was actually once meant for relaxation, instead of the multi-tasking work space it is today (I personally found this nostalgia to be a bit contrite, as Conley and I are both members of Generation X and only experienced those so-called halcyon days via our parents’ memories.)
Leisure and work are becoming mixed, says Conley, as companies like Google increasingly become one-stop shops for their employees. There is on-site laundry, showers, meals (which are free at Google, something Conley was amazed by), doctors, nurses, tax accountants and sometimes daycare. Practically any service the company can help you outsource will be available to you so you can spend more time working. You can “work from home” to spend more time with your kids, but your kids say you won’t look up from the laptop, and your co-workers can hear Rock Band II in the background of your conference call. Meanwhile, you notice your neighbor that holds the same job you do but for another company, has a new Mercedes in her driveway and you wonder how she earns twice your salary. You work harder and longer, ticking away any hours you aren’t working as lost income. You get so used to this state of always looking at the next thing you must do/have/say/be, you never look inward. You get splintered into many different roles, shattering your one individual into what Conley calls an “intravidual.” Nostalgia aside, Dalton has a point.
Still, even though I know Conley was addressing me and my fellow techie folk, I couldn’t help but be a bit offended by the characterization. The term “Blackberry Mom,” [cover/title, pg 1] is as offensive and marginalizing as “Soccer Mom,” and it should’ve tipped me off on the tone of the book. If you are in my Weberati crowd, you will probably be offended on page 56 when Conley calls open-source software “communism” without noting how open-source actually spurred innovation in the private sector. You’ll also probably (well, hopefully) be offended on page 73 when he treats the modern norm of working women and their influence on the workplace with this line: “You can take the woman out of the kitchen but you can’t take the kitchen out of the woman.” That’s really the only media bait in the book, though.
The book reads like a textbook, but the it deserves the effort just on the amount of information it contains. The Appendix alone, with its collection of intriguingly titled articles, is a fair exchange for the purchase price. Unfortunately, Dalton takes a while to get to his main point. The long introduction lays down loads of social history to set up the story. The first 62 pages lay thick groundwork for his theory of what is happening with the state of the working person today. He goes through American social history, namely the social changes brought on by the industrial revolution, and emphasizes the occasional example to demonstrate how our work/life balance and our politics have changed, like the dwindling participation in unions over the last 50 years.
The author’s purpose of the book isn’t found until page 63:
“WHERE WE ARE AT
So, we have gone from a country with high ceilings and fans to low ceilings and air-conditioning; we have gone from an economy where many workers serviced one machine to one in which each American has dozens of machines working for them over the course of a given day; we have gone from being a nation of wandering renters to ever more tooted homeowners; we have gone from a country that experienced race riots in the 1960s–during a period of economic growth spread relatively equally across income deciles–to a country of almost Third World levels of economic inequality, where solid majorities vote to repeal the estate tax. We used to enjoy our free time and left the Europeans to work more than us; now we have more kids to take care of than they do, even as we work significantly more hours.*
No one single factor–not air-conditioning or computers; not female labor force participation; not tax policy alone or immigration–has caused these dramatic shifts. In fact, it is probably a futile exercise to ask how much tax policy drove the development of computers, how much computers drive income inequality, and how much income inequality drives commuting distances. Better to take a deep breath and unfocus the eyes to try to take in the entire mosaic that makes up the social landscape of today.
*Americans work an average of 25.1 hours per week (averaged across all working-age persons) in contrast to Germans, for instance, who average 18.6 hours, We work over 6 more weeks than the French per year. See Alberto ALessina, Edward L. Glaeser, and Bruce Sacerdote, ‘Work and Leisure in the U.S. And Europe: Why So Different?’ Working Paper no 11278, National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Mass., 2005.”
I wish those two paragraphs and the citation were on page 1; they would’ve helped me parse out Conley’s academic prose. Although I appreciate the book being chock-full of information, as I read I kept wondering when he’d reveal his point.
Conley does get to his point, eventually, but at times his logic seemed a bit dubious. I was taken aback on page 56 when Conley cited a 2005 study, using the results as a base for his claim that most people still work for the same company for over 20 years. This may be true for the Baby Boomers, but not for any of us under 40 right now. I’m in my 30’s and I don’t know anyone who has worked for any 1 company in their careers, not even my friends who are medical doctors. We are consistently told by career advisors that after 5 years we should be looking for another opportunity, lest we appear habitual, lazy, and unwilling to learn. We believe that the retirement age will be raised to 75, there will be no social security pensions, and we will have worked at so many different companies and had so many varied careers that we will have lost count. Looking at Conley’s one-company-for-20-years claim in detail, the facts become clear. The study, cited from Working Paper #11878 from the National Bureau of Economic Research (where Conley holds a Research Associate position), looked at retirement age workers (ages 58-62) in 1969, and found that they had worked, on average, for one company for 21.9 years. The study then compared their 58-62 years old counterparts in 2002, and found that they had worked, on average, for one company for 21.4 years. Conley claims that despite our hectic schedules and our 24/7 mobile offices, we’re still all working for the same company, just like the IBM Man in 1950. When we, the GenXers, get to be 58-62, my guess is that number will drop from 21.4 to about 10.6. I’d like to see a similar study of people who are 42 years of age right now and see how many different places they’ve worked. Then I’d like to see the same data on people aged 32 today. 21.4 years at one company is a pipe dream for the average Generation Xer. Conley’s choice to cite this study to support his everything-old-is-new-again-but-we-work-more-than-the-IBMer-of-1950 was misleading at best. This slight massaging of statistics is common practice for academics, economists and media members alike, so it’s difficult to make a case against Conley for doing it. There are infinite ways of massaging statistics and relegating the details of data to footnotes in order to support your point, so when numbers are involved, caveat emptor.
Despite the nostalgia and the numbers games, Elsewhere U.S.A. and Professor Conley earn respect. Conley’s points about materialism and the ever-increasing gap between the classes are a sharp slap upside our credit-busting heads. Conley is, plain and simple, one of us, and he keeps us well informed of the changes in our lives that we are too busy to notice. Although Conley avoids Twitter, he knows the scene. He references some books that are well-known in the social media circles I run in (e.g., Anderson’s The Long Tail) and knows the pressures we face in an outsourcing, all-consuming workplace. He’s just as guilty as the rest of us, but he’s a sane voice in the fog of our all-too-modern, fast-motion lives.
Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.
A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver and Ewan Spence.
I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.
Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
CHRIS BROGAN: community-maker.
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
CHRIS BROGAN: Yes. Very well. I think community is as old as story. It’s the glue that makes a tribe out of a bunch of people.
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
CHRIS BROGAN: I read books and magazines, and synthesize ideas for my blog and for other writing projects. I deliver as much output as I can, because I consider that time perfect for keeping me offline.
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
CHRIS BROGAN: I read Fast Company and Wired Magazine in print. Wired, as sometimes described by Chris Anderson, is more like a monthly book. I feel that way about its production value.
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
CHRIS BROGAN: I read The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funk and finished it two months ago. Before that, it was Spook Country by William Gibson, 3 months ago.
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
CHRIS BROGAN: In fiction, I prefer cyberpunk and some of its more recent descendants, but I don’t read a lot of fiction any more. In non-fiction, I mix it up between memoirs, business books, theory/science books, and the occasional zeitgeist book.
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
CHRIS BROGAN: Honestly, listen to it, because I have a really long commute, and it’s a great way to get reading done.
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
CHRIS BROGAN: If you mean how many books do I buy for people and myself in a given year, I’m slowing down on BUYING books, because I use the library. For others, maybe between 12-20.
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
CHRIS BROGAN: The, Together. Book: Connect, by Anne Zelenka.
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
CHRIS BROGAN: A mix of business how-to books, leadership books, a few cyberpunk novels, some memoirs, and graphic novels.
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
Social media is a great way for fiction authors to connect and/or observe. Both are necessary to the future of the genre.
CHRIS BROGAN: Social media is a great way for fiction authors to connect and/or observe. Both are necessary to the future of the genre.
Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.
A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver and Ewan Spence.
I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.
Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
EWAN SPENCE: Internet-bum
JEFF PULVER: I am Polymorphic.
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
EWAN SPENCE: Yes, for example Hiro in Snow Crash.
JEFF PULVER: I’m not sure. Maybe in Sci-Fi.
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
EWAN SPENCE: Consume media, normally TV shows or old war films on a Sony PSP. I tend to travel with the PSP and use the Wi-fi feature (podcast) and the H.264 codecs (video)
JEFF PULVER: I close my eyes and hear music in my head. I close my eyes and dream about tomorrow and think about the days ahead.
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
EWAN SPENCE: Lots of books (especially one that have that old book smell) from Amazon Z Shops, and The Sunday Post (http://www.dcthomson.co.uk/MAGS/POST/)
JEFF PULVER: while I’d love to say WSJ, NYT the answer is none.
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
EWAN SPENCE: Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi, on the flight to Barcelona, so about 4 hours ago.
JEFF PULVER: Most of John Grisham and Michael Criton
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
EWAN SPENCE: Science Fiction.
JEFF PULVER: Fiction
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
EWAN SPENCE: Read it.
JEFF PULVER: Read.
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
EWAN SPENCE: Ehrm, I suspect just under one a week on average, so 45?
JEFF PULVER: I buy books that I never read. Mostly computer/geek books.
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
EWAN SPENCE: Gregor and winners. (Title, Ewan?)
JEFF PULVER: when, sugars – “the ultimate guide to accurate CARB counting”
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
EWAN SPENCE: The collected works of Hugh Walters, Lori Summers, and then I’ll put the lights out and grab the balance in random books.
JEFF PULVER: the lastest John Grisham Book.
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
EWAN SPENCE: I’m too tired, can I just say ‘lots’ and wax lyrical about story telling, camp fires, etc…
JEFF PULVER: well, twitter is my social media tofu. So I would look to twitter as a way to communicate my feelings about books. And authors.
Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.
A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver and Ewan Spence.
I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.
Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
ERIC RICE: Explorer-Adventurer
AMANDA GRAVEL: firecracker
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
ERIC RICE: Not digitally, no. We get stupid hacker movies.
AMANDA GRAVEL: yes (thinking of lisa loeb’s 1997 album entitled ‘firecracker’)
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
ERIC RICE: Books, TV, and games. And a pillow.
AMANDA GRAVEL: i listen to music on my ipod or read a book
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
ERIC RICE: I don’t read print newspapers, but read the online additions. I do purchase a metric ton of magazines, ranging from architectural, design, cars, gaming, etc. I LOVE magazines.
AMANDA GRAVEL: not really any. no newspapers, and an occasional magazine.
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
ERIC RICE: Crooked Little Vein, by Warren Ellis, on the last plane trip.
AMANDA GRAVEL: jeanette winterson’s lighthousing. a few months ago. i started reading another novel since then but didn’t like it so i put it away.
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
ERIC RICE: Cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, etc.
AMANDA GRAVEL: fiction- i like books that are written with a poetic ear that are a little dark and have characters who get deep with their issues. non-fiction i like how-to types of books (PR, marketing or girly stuff, usually) or memoirs.
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
ERIC RICE: Listen. Although, I can only do this when driving and my mind is not focused on a non-reflexive task.
AMANDA GRAVEL: I’d rather read it I think. I’ve never listened to a novel before.
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
ERIC RICE: Sadly, maybe five fiction. but a lot of non-fiction.
AMANDA GRAVEL: I probably buy like, 2-5 books a year for myself or for other people as gifts.
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
ERIC RICE: “In” “awoke” Title: Echelon
AMANDA GRAVEL: This, prize Title: Chasing Cool First
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
ERIC RICE: Design books, notepads, and maps.
AMANDA GRAVEL: Jeanette Winterson books, magazines, maybe a book about social media, PR and/or marketing
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
ERIC RICE: I don’t see many connections between social media and traditional fiction, outside of my own project where the hyper-broadcasted future has its roots in the relentless and perhaps irresponsible display of life’s minutia. Some writers may engage in using social software and sites to create new types of media, however, their numbers seem small.
AMANDA GRAVEL: Traditional fiction is created not reported, and in social media (as well as social life in general) we are all agents creating what’s real. We become characters in this story we’re all creating together.
Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.
A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan and Jeff Pulver.
I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.
Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am [a(n)] ________.”
ANNIE BOCCIO: Suburban-Geeky-Mom
JULIA ROY: I am a digital-girl
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Only if you are looking for it, not in popular culture though.
JULIA ROY: Yes, I think being “born digital” is beginning to be represented in different artistic mediums.
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Listen to radio, audiobooks or podcasts.
JULIA ROY: Listen to podcasts and vidcasts on my iPhone that I subscribe to through iTunes. Work offline — drafting blog posts, client outreach plans and other projects.
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Daily newspaper, a novel every 2 months or so, at least one non-fiction book per month.
JULIA ROY: None. The only traditional print media I buy and read are books.
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Last novel I finished was The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta, during November (for a book club.)
JULIA ROY: The Kite Runner, 6 months ago.
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Character driven stories, genre doesn’t really matter so much to me if the characters are interesting.
JULIA ROY: I like Marketing and Mystery books.
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Recently I’ve been listening, but I think I focus better when I read.
JULIA ROY: Both, I’d like to read it first and then follow up by listening to an audiobook version.
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Eight to Ten books. That’s down drastically because I have a giant stack of unread books to get through so I don’t let myself buy more.
JULIA ROY: 30
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
ANNIE BOCCIO: Transcendent, future. Title: Transcending CSS: The Fine Art of Web Design (such a geeky book!)
JULIA ROY: Before, commit. Title- Meatball Sundae
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
ANNIE BOCCIO: For off the grid I suppose I’d buy biographies, memoirs, histories, and a stack of short-story compilations.
JULIA ROY: All Seth Godin’s books.
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
ANNIE BOCCIO: The only connection I see personally is in the form of recommendations from others about what’s worth reading. The Facebook Bookshelf application is interesting but I haven’t really used it much.
JULIA ROY: Success hinges on the ability to tell a great story that people will talk about.
Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.
A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan, and Jeff Pulver.
I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.
Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am [a(n)] ________.” DYKC: Black.
CC_CHAPMAN: Helper 2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)? DYKC: Not comprehensively enough.
CC_CHAPMAN: Sure, we see it over and over again in the person that is friendly and helpful to those around them. Sometimes to the point of their own self sacrifice. 3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment? DYKC: Watch the scenery while listening to music.
CC_CHAPMAN: My iPod is always synched up with the latest music and podcasts. I also always pick up a couple of magazines and bring a book with me. Almost always fiction if it is a long ride or else I’ll never get lost in it. 4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis? DYKC: Good Magazine, Harpers, Black Enterprise, XXL, GQ
CC_CHAPMAN: Sunday Boston Globe, Rolling Stone, Wired, Fast Company, Mens Health 5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this? DYKC: Halting State, by Charlie Stross — last week.
CC_CHAPMAN: I read the last Harry Potter book as soon as it came out. 6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction? DYKC: Cyberpunk, or hacker related.
CC_CHAPMAN: If I’m reading non-fiction is is most likely a business book of some sort. On the fiction side I really read anything. Grew up reading tons of fantasy novels and they are still my favorite. I like to try out new genres based on great writers telling interesting and new stories. I’m a big fan of deep character development rather then rapid plot. 7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it? DYKC: I’d prefer to read it.
CC_CHAPMAN: ALWAYS read it over listen. I’ve never been audio book guy. I also can’t see me ever getting a Kindle or anything similar. I like the tactile feel of holding a book, flipping the pages. I may be totally digital in a lot of areas of my life but reading it not one of them. 8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults? DYKC: Between 15 and 30, not including hardbound/softbounds graphic novels (i.e. Comic compilations).
CC_CHAPMAN: Wow, I have no idea. I buy lots of books. A good 10-20 a year easily and I love to give books as gifts to people because to do it right really shows you know that person. 9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title? DYKC: Laugh, Washington. Title, Laugh if You Like, Ain’t a Damn Thing Funny: The Life and Story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Geene
CC_CHAPMAN: The, Chase. Title = Rules of the Red Rubber Ball 10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy? DYKC: Every book by William Gibson, Neil Stepenson, Bruce Sterling, and Toure’.
CC_CHAPMAN: I’d certainly get something philisophical and mind provoking to get my brain going. I always love doing that if I’m going on a back country trip of any sort because it gives your mind something to chew on during all the quality idle time. I’d also pick up some other travel adventure books since I find there is nothing better then reading about someone elses trip while I’m on one myself. I’d also probably grab a couple of the latest hot books since I hardly ever read these and it would be the perfect time to catch up on what everyone else is raving about. I also LOVE the bargin tables at any bookstore so I’m sure I’d spend every last time grabbing a couple of these gems. 11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction? DYKC: Social media is a lot like fiction, in that you are able to “read” everyones story (as presented) online. The trick, is to discern the real narrative (is it true, is it embellished, pure fiction? etc).
CC_CHAPMAN: Aren’t we all sort of making it up as we go along in both? *laugh* The key to good fiction is characters you can connect with and the telling of a good story. It could be argued that this is the same for social media. A lot of the people we connect with we have never met in the flesh so we only have their words (and photos, voice and video in some cases) to connect with them.
Hop on over to iProng magazine to read my interview with podcaster and author of the popular 7th Son trilogy. J.C. Hutchins.
Tags: book, Interview, novel, technology 
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