Cult of the amateur - Keen gets it wrong

Been reading Andrew Keen's book. And enjoying it - but not for the reasons he'd like me to. I'm picking holes in it left, right and centre. Will do something more detailed on it shortly, (when I've finished it) but the big problem I have with it is his central premise that "amateurs" will never be as good as "professionals" when it comes to creativity.

My view is that the cream rises. Back in the day when we only had 3 TV channels to choose from, and all the programmes were devised and produced by professionals some of it was truly terrible. Now there's so much to choose from - much of it rubbish I'll admit - but I have many more ways to be guided to better content than ever before, including recommendations from friends, brands, blogs etc. etc.

Watch this space for more on this... but in the meantime this new website from EMI - scoutr - shows that even the traditional purveyors of music to the masses are taking advantage of the fact that there is more and better stuff out there than ever before.

So farewell then, Crayon

End of an era, as virtual web 2.0 comms agency Crayon "relaunches". Never worked with them, but was always impressed by the blog/website. Best of luck to all and sundry in their new incarnations...

Holidays with children and defending Facebook

Been very quiet on the blogging front recently. Lots of reasons. Busy at work (including defending Facebook on the BBC). But the best reason is that we've been on holiday. I'm a great fan of Watergate Bay - whatever the weather. But, in search of sun just before our oldest started school for the first time we found Hotel Esplendido in Majorca. (view from our room above) Would certainly recommend it - with or without kids. Though the highlight for me was teaching him to swim. For more info on it check out the Sunday Times review which appeared And the i-escape website which took us there.