I’m quite impressed with the “Ask Jimmy“  segment of his website where he asks his fans to send video questions to him.  He usually picks a few every Friday and answers them in a vlog.  During his appearance on Diggnation, he mentioned that he’s trying a new late night formula which will appeal to the internet generation.  This is a great example of a company (NBC) finding the value in listening to fans of one of their programs and giving them what they want.  Each vlog (or video podcast) allows for comments, blog embedding, and sharing on social websites like facebook, myspace, del.icio.us, digg, reddit and stumbleupon.

I think NBC and Jimmy Fallon are onto something here.   Giving Jimmy Fallon’s fans the power to shape and influence his show may prove to be a successful idea for not only late night television, but television in general.  Building an online community surrounding a television show has worked for Stephen Colbert as he often challenges his fans with video remixing contests which are posted on www.colbertnation.com .  Having an online community based around a television show gives fans a sense of community and perhaps a feeling of rapport between Colbert and his loyal fans.

Major broadcasters like NBC have been obsessed with ratings using Neilson Ratings since the 50’s because it gave broadcasters bragging rights as to how many people were tuning into their stations.  This measurement allowed for broadcasters to set standards for advertising agencies who want to do business during programs that appeal with appropriate demographics to promote their products.  The problem with this model is that Neilson Ratings only represent a small fraction of the total television audience and is limitied to those who have equipped their television with a little device called “set meters”.  The only accurate information this tool tracks is what station that specific television set is tuned into at any given moment.  Set meters only report data on television viewing habits of the user however this says very little about the viewers consuming trends which seems to be of huge interest by web companies like google, myspace and facebook.  Set meters are very primitive even as they were upgraded in 2005 with the explosion of digital television and TiVo.

Major broadcasters like NBC are very interested in what you are watching on television, what websites you visit, what products you purchase and even your hobbies!  Jimmy Fallon’s interactions with the interwebs will attract bloggers and internet geeks who will embed the show’s clips on their blogs and social networks.  Why is this important?  Because web metrics are FAR more intelligent that Neilson Ratings.  Say I post a clip from Jimmy Fallon’s show on my blog.  NBC can track back to my blog and search for what other social networks I belong to and then web spiders will search my blog posts and find my interests and hobbies.  Ever send an email on gmail and notice that the adsense ads along the right side will pertain to keywords found in the email you just sent?  NBC will mine and store this data and the next time you are on their site, the advertisements COULD (not yet) be a personalized advertisement based on your web habits and product mentions.

This all may sound a bit far fetched and creepy however you have to ask yourself why analog television is going to die on February 18th, 2009 (which may be delayed to June) in the US.  There are several reasons however encouraging (or forcing) viewers to go digital, namely that it will free up bandwidth as more digital channels become available to consumers.  I wonder if rating tracking has anything to do with the digital television transition?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DNsDcAoTfo

This WILL be an amazing flick.

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Bush’s Farewell Address

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meh I’ll do it tomorrow.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6t4wl7I4A

I shot these snowboarders from my roof…eventually the police stopped by to have a word with them!

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Fredericton, NB - A handful of about 75 people gathered in front of City Hall on January 10, 2009 to show support for the Palestinian people who are currently under bombardment by the Israeli military.  People from all walks of life traveled from outside Fredericton to attend this event carrying many signs which expressed opposition to the attack and occupation by the Israeli army in Gaza.  Since the all powerful Israeli army began its attack December 27, 2008 over 825 Palestinian civilians have been murdered in the name Israel defeating terrorism.

Several activists spoke out against the attack and occupation using Michael Ignatieff’s recent remarks as fuel for Canadian outrage.  Ignatieff said:

 ”Israel has been attacked from Gaza, not just last year, but for almost 10 years. They evacuated from Gaza so there is no occupation in Gaza.”

I agree that Israel does have the right to defend herself from terrorist attacks, however, it is ridiculous as a Canadian policy maker to choose one side and state that the other is at fault for this attack and occupation.  The solution is not as simple as deeming Hamas as a terror organization and having Israel seek and destroy terrorist members one by one.   Keep in mind that Palestinians democratically elected Hamas into power.  As an observer of this conflict (and still learning of the conflict’s history) I find it frustrating that many governments from around the world ignore the fact that the Israeli military has been responsible for demolishing Palestinian homes and rebuilding  (armed) Jewish settlements for over 40 years.  This is a settlement occupation which is defended by the Israeli military as well as the armed civilians who live there.

Ignatieff’s comments about Israel evacuating Palestinian land is a half truth.  In 2005, Israel agreed to dismantle many Jewish settlements and move 9,000 Israelis out off Gaza and the West Bank, however, Israel continues to build these settlements on Palestine’s most fertile farm land.  The people of Gaza have nothing. UN aid is being controlled and even blocked by the Israeli authority during the current invasion.  The people in Gaza deserve more than being imprisoned in their own country.  They have lost control of their own airspace, roads, land, offshore maritime access, entry of foreigners, and the tax system.  How can Ignatieff state that there is no occupation in Gaza!?

Saturday’s rally in Fredericton has been endorsed by Fredericton Palestine Solidarity, Fredericton Islamic Association, Jews for a Just Peace Fredericton, the Fredericton Peace Coalition, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice N.B. Chapter, Women in Black, Students Aware of the World at Fredericton High and Strax.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haJoyySqhek

To learn more about the history of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict please watch this documentary called Occupation 101

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV_T551jw88

For more information on Fredericton Peace Coalition please visit their blog.

For more resources discussing this conflict please visit:

www.bdsmovement.net

www.caiaweb.org/node/926

www.bigcampaign.org

www.pchrgaza.org

www.ijsn.net

www.independentjewishvoices.ca

www.tadamon.ca

www.counterpunch.com

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Please reward yourself for being such a hard worker by consuming these delightful songs.  Your brain will release copious amounts of endorphins GUARENTEED!!! If you dig these beats, leave a comment on Computer Nation Radio’s Blog

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Hizzah! for terrible photo edits!

New Tune from Computer Nation Radio!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ddxOwjuxs

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