hubbub

The Pre-History of Social Media: Richard Nixon's Checkers Speech

I was surprised to find this on YouTube. It's the famous 1952 television speech by then-Vice Presidential candidate Richard Nixon. It's widely recognized as one of the first uses of the TV medium for direct political communication with the American public. Very bloggy and "transparent" of Mr. Nixon, who used the speech to exonerate himself of charges that he illegally and unethically benefitted from campaign contributions. How did he do this? By detailing his entire financial history, based on the results of an independent financial report. But I hope the irony of this moment is not lost on folks of this generation. There's more to being direct than the medium that apparently allows it.

Dramatic Chipmunk: One-Minute Version

I'm waiting for the sequel.

Natalie Portman Lifecast

See Valleywag. Will this be worth watching?

OK Go

I am finally catching up with the YouTube Award winners. "Most Creative" went to the band OK Go, and here's the video. Fun for the family -- even our four-year old loved it ("play it again!").

YouTube Awards

We'll be watching this one. For the record, PodTech was first to the videocast awards market. So the question is, which will get the Oscar-like brand, and which will be the Golden Globes? Alas, both feel like a Peoples Choice, which fits the world that they serve.

In the meantime, I'm rooting for Beer Ape.