I want to do this right. However, I don’t have any editor or publisher (yet) but I woke up the other morning with the feeling that I had to write the book and the time to start writing was NOW.

So here goes…

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A social revolution was born in 1969 as an unintended consequence of the launch of ARPANET.

It took the advent of the broadbandmobile Internet for the social revolution to become visible, disruptive and help shape the ways we connect.

Along the way, 500 years post-Columbus, the world once again became flat in a Thomas Friedman-esque (I think that you don’t need the hyphen when you add “esque” to a word.) kind of way and the real-time Internet was born. In this new flat world access to information has become democratized.

Now, almost halfway into 2010 I believe we are in the very beginning stages of a global social revolution, which will redefine, maybe forever, the way we do business.

The transition will be slower than some might expect, but as companies discover the benefits of listening to what their customers are saying using social communications, individual customers are discovering the innate power they have (but don’t always know) by simply speaking up, sharing their knowledge and often times serving as unpaid, but passionate, brand ambassadors.

The balance of power is shifting. A new era in buyer/seller relationships is being defined. And unlike other revolutions, this isn’t so much about the power of “we the people” but rather “me the people.”

For the first time in a long time, our individual voices matter and each of us can effect change. When we work together, the mashing together of multiple “me’s” does empower a stronger and more powerful “we the people.” The point is that each of us matter in our own right and at any given moment, any of us can and maybe will stand up and effect change.

This shift is having dramatic effects in many other parts of the business, social, environmental, political and other ecosystems. In the last year, we’ve heard peoples’ voices in Iran, Haiti, China and most recently, those affected by a volcano and an oil spill.

Since the launch of #140conf, I have met some amazing people, some of whom have discovered their own voice in the advent of the real-time webacross the U.S., parts of Europe and Israel. I’ve personally listened to these people as they have effected positive change in many places around the world.

I’ve had famous celebrities, the homeless, musicians, writers, journalists, an ex-convict, educational and religious leaders share center stage of the Kodak Theater, the 92nd Street Y, the Austin Convention Center, an off-Broadway theater, the 02 and many other venues as they shared their passion and stories. At the #140Conf NY, we had more than 100,000 viewers track us on UStream.

After flying approximately a hundred thousand miles (and maybe more) in doing my research, I want to create a new stage that will reach an even broader base. I’m working on new book, “The Connected Me,” which will explore this on-going social revolution. It is my goal to use this book to highlight the people who have discovered their voice and who are continuing to use the advent of this social revolution to effect change. Whether this person is changing business, raising awareness for a social cause or simply making the world a better place, I would like to learn about this person and give them center stage in this new book.

My goal is to curate on-going lists (or to curate an on-going list) of people to vet as candidates to be included in the book. While I already have a number of people in mind, I hope to be able to crowdsource the discovery of new people from around the world, who I otherwise would have never had a chance to meet.

So I am looking for your help in identifying characters who you feel should be profiled and given a voice in the book. Whether this person is yourself, a friend or someone you only heard of, I would greatly appreciate your assistance in helping me map some of the connected “me”s around all of us.

Please use this form: http://140conf.wufoo.com/forms/nomination-the-connected-me/ to nominate a connected “me” to be profiled.

Thanks for your time.

– Jeff Pulver

I’ve been looking forward to bringing #140conf back to New York ever since I had the opportunity to take #140conf on the road. Since the first #140conf in NYC last June, I have brought the conference to: Los Angeles, London, Tel Aviv, Barcelona and just week to Austin during SXSW.

While on the road I have had the opportunity to hear first hand about the worldwide effects the emerging real-time internet is having on both business and on people. What started out as an exploration of the effects of twitter as a platform on: Celebrity, The Media, Advertising and Politics has grown in a deep exploration of “The State of NOW” and I now appreciate how powerful and how deep the change we are all experiencing really is.

In New York City we will be taking a look at the effects of the real-time web on quite a number of industries - starting with Technology and the Media and then covering everything from Real Estate and Education to Fashion, Journalism, Love & Romance, Entertainment, Emergency Communications, TV, Comedy, Radio, Music, Politics, Advertising, Celebrity, Location based services and a lot more. The information will be shared by the 140 or so “Characters” who will be speaking at the conference.

I believe quite a number of companies will be blindsided by the effects of the real-time internet on their business. What is happening is being driven by more than just a core technology shift. The revolution effects the platforms we use and the underlying business methods. As a result, some of these changes will require a different approach to how we end up doing business. The rules of engagement have changed. This in turn will lead to a different approach in how some companies connect with their audiences and how other companies determine the effectiveness of their marketing outreach.

While one can argue change is always underway, the longer term effects of the emerging real-time web will be a seed change that effects almost everyone in the near future. Everyone at least whose business is touched by the internet and the ability for companies to leverage the net to connect with their customers.

None of these points were that obvious to me a year ago when I started working on the #140conf conferences.

I have been creating, producing and hosting events since 1996. I have made it a point to make the #140conf events a little different. The #140conf events are different than most conferences. At #140conf events, hugs are at times more popular than handshakes. The format presented offers an opportunity to experience a great deal of content in a short period of time.

If you are reading this blog post, I hope you consider getting yourself to New York City on April 20th and 21st to experience what I believe will be a great event. An event which will share a unique perspective on the emerging real-time Internet and it’s effect on business and on people.

For more information about April’s #140conf, please visit: http://nyc.140conf.com.

Hope to see you next month in NYC.

– Jeff Pulver

This #140conf event will be taking a look at the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business and “we” the people. The core focus will be on the systemic changes the advent of the real-time internet is having on a number of areas including: The Media, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Public Safety, Advertising, Celebrity, Education, Communications, Fashion and more.

The deadline for speaking proposals is: Friday, April 16th. Please send speaking proposals to: jeff@pulver.com.

My hope is to once again attract a diverse gathering of people who will come to Washington DC to connect with others and to share their perspective, their experiences and their stories about how the emerging real-time Internet is effecting their industry sectors and the people inside them.

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With today’s “Call for Speakers” I am looking for creative, out-of-the-box thinkers to come forward and pitch me something relevant they would like to present that has been effected by the emerging real-time, NOW Internet.

I’m looking for first-hand accounts of how the real-time web is being used and the impact it is happening in the industry sectors this event is focusing on. My goal is to bring together a curated group of characters to both lead and contribute to the discussions. And this event isn’t just about twitter. Open for discussion are all platforms and applications which are effecting and contributing to the real-time internet experience.

So please, think about what YOU could contribute to the dialog, and who you may know who would be interested in being part of this event.

For more information about upcoming #140conf events, please visit: http://140conf.com.

Global #140conf Conferences:

April 20/21 - New York City
June 17 - Washington DC
July 6 - Tel Aviv
September 14 - Atlanta
October 5/6 - Los Angeles
October 26/27 - London

Upcoming #140conf Meetups:

Mar 22 - NYC
May 10 - Los Angeles
May 13 - Chicago

#140conf Meetups take place on a regular basis in both New York City and in London. During 2010 these meetups have also taken place in: Boston, Brussels, DC, Nairobi, Philly and Tel Aviv.

I am always looking for both speakers and sponsors for these upcoming events. For more information about these conferences, please visit: http://140conf.com

In the year since SXSW, a number of my friends became passionate and dependent on using Foursquare and/or Gowalla as the platform to share where they were and what was happening around them. Here at SXSW, this has been taken to a new level. It turns out that if you are spending time around your friends and you have a chance to speak to them almost at will, there is something to be said about only sharing your location information and then having the ability to make decisions of what to do (or where not to go) base on this information.

Based on an unscientific poll of a few people I spoke to yesterday during lunch, a typical comment shared was: “I haven’t been on twitter for 2 days. Not sure when I was on last on Facebook. Instead I just look on Foursquare for what is happening and where it is happening.” These words were shared by almost everyone I spoke with.

In terms of who may be winning the Foursquare / Gowalla popularity contest, all I can say is that at SXSW, members of the Foursquare team have done a great job of making themselves known. To date I have only run into one person from Gowalla and that was on my flight from NYC to Austin.

What does any of this this really mean? I’m not entirely sure. But I do believe SXSW 2010 will be known as the time Foursquare came of age and the place where at least one community’s dependence on twitter has shifted and their use of twitter changed, albeit slightly.

Note: Foursquare and Gowalls are two of the companies that will be seen and heard at the upcoming #140conf NYC taking place April 20-21.

In support the upcoming #140conf LA conference, the next #140conf Los Angeles meetup will be taking place on May 10th at the Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. For more information and to RSVP, click here. Special thanks to Make It Work for once again helping to produce this meetup.

On April 20/21 we will be taking a hard look at something I call “The State of NOW” and the continued effects the worldwide adoption of social communication platforms such as twitter is having on a number of industries including: Celebrity, “The Media”, Advertising, Politics, Education, Music, Television, Comedy, Real Estate, Public Policy and more.

During the past month I have been working with number of people who volunteered to help curate a session or two at the upcoming event. To date about 80% of the expected 140 speakers have been confirmed and the remainder are in the process of being confirmed. More speakers will be announced in the days and weeks ahead.

If you are thinking about attending #140conf NYC, now would be a great time to secure your seat. With the “early bird” ticket costing only US$ 100 for the two day event, register NOW to guarantee youself access to the event.

Some of the “Characters” speaking at #140conf NYC include:

- Alon Nir (@TheKotel)
- Andrea Syrtash, Oprah.com contributor and author (@AndreaSyrtash)
- Ann Curry, NBC News (@AnnCurry)
- Avner Ronen, CEO/founder, boxee (@avneron)
- Bijan Sabet, partner, Spark Capital (@bijan)
- Bruce Upbin, Managing Editor, Forbes (@bupbin)
- Caissie St.Onge, (@Caissie)
- Chris Lehmann, Principal of the Science Leadership Academy, (@chrislehmann)
- Chris Weingarten, Music Critic, (@1000TimesYes)
- Daren Forsyth, Founder, 140Characters.co.uk, (@DarenBBC)
- Dave Winer, (@davewiner)
- Dennis Crowley, co-founder, Four Square (@dens)
- Donny Deustch (@Donny_Deutsch)
- Eric Sheninger, Principal of New Milford HS (NJ), (@NMHS_Principal)
- Gary Vanderchuck, Wine guy, host of Wine Library TV, (@garyvee)
- Hank Wasiak, Executive Producer and Co-Founder, The Concept Farm, (@hankwasiak)
- Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump)
- Jay Rosen, Journalism professor, NYU (@jayrosen_nyu)
- Jeff Jarvis, blogger, author, professor (@JeffJarvis)
- Jeff Pulver, founder #140conf, (@jeffpulver)
- Jeffrey Hayzlett, CMO, Kodak (@jeffreyHayzlett)
- Joan Walsh, Editor of Salon, (@joanwalsh)
- John Borthwick, CEO, Betaworks (@JohnBorthwick)
- Jonathan Maberry, author, writing teacher and lecturer. (@JonathanMaberry)
- Kyle Pace, Instructional/Consumer Technology Specialist, (@kylepace)
- Liz Strauss, Founder of SOBCon, brand strategist, (@lizstrauss)
- Matt Pinfield, Morning Show on 101.9 RXP, (@mattpinfield)
- Matthew Bishop, The Economist, (@mattbish)
- Maz Nadjm, Social networking at Sky Television, (@Mazi)
- MC Hammer (@MCHammer)
- Melinda Emerson, entrepreneur, (@smallbizlady)
- Pat Kiernan, News Anchor, NY1 (@patkiernan)
- Ryan Penagos, Writer / Editor at Marvel.com (@Agent_M)
- Stacey Monk, Founder of Epic Change & TweetsGiving, (@StaceyMonk)
- Stefanie Michaels (@adventuregirl)
- Steve Greenberg, founder/CEO, S-Curve Records (@steviegpro)
- Steven Anderson, Technology Educator, Blogger, Co-Creator of #edchat, (@web20classroom)
- Tal Givoly, Chief Scientist, Amdocs (@givoly)
- Tim Armstrong, CEO, AOL
- Tom Brevoort, VP Marvel, (@TomBrevoortsays)
- Tom Whitby, Professor of Education in Secondary English (@tomwhitby)
- US Airforce, @USAirForce

Note: Speakers are subject to change without notice. These “characters” are accurate as of: January 26, 2010.

Related Posts: Conference Insider: A new approach to the pricing of the #140conf events in 2010

For more information about upcoming worldwide #140conf events, please visit: http://140conf.com.

I am looking for companies who would like an opportunity to pitch their products to the community attending #140conf NYC. The catch? Each company selected will have exactly 140 seconds to make their pitch. The company which gets the biggest audience response will be awarded “Best of Show.”

To apply to be a part of 140 Demo @ #140conf - please follow this link.

Application Deadline: January 29, 2010.

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Related Blog posts:

A Call for Speakers (and Characters): The 140 Characters Conference: April 20/21 in NYC

Conference Insider: A new approach to the pricing of the #140conf events in 2010

For more information about upcoming #140conf events, please visit: http://140conf.com.

The event will be taking a look at the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business and systemic changes the worldwide adoption of twitter is having on: Celebrity, The Media, Music, Advertising, Politics, Education, Communications, Public Diplomacy, Fashion, Design, Public Safety and more.

The deadline for speaking proposals is: Friday, January 22nd. Please send speaking proposals to: jeff@pulver.com. Speakers can also be nominated by including #140conf in related tweets.

My hope is to once again attract a diverse worldwide gathering of people who will come to New York City to connect with others and to share their perspective, their experiences and their stories about how the emerging real-time Internet is effecting their industry sectors and the people inside them.

- - -

With today’s “Call for Speakers” I am looking for creative, out-of-the-box thinkers to come forward and pitch me something relevant they would like to present that has been effected by the emerging real-time, NOW Internet.

My hope is to attract not only established celebrities, members of the media and thought leaders who are now using twitter, but those who have become a celebrity, and a brand in their own right, through the creative and disruptive application that twitter continues to be.

I’m looking for first-hand accounts of how twitter is being used and the impact it is happening in the industry sectors this event is focusing on. My goal is to bring together a curated group of characters to both lead and contribute to the discussions. And this event isn’t just about twitter. Open for discussion are all platforms and applications which are effecting and contributing to the real-time internet experience.

I believe that 140 of the right characters can impact 140,000 online participants at the event. I saw this happen in 2009 at the New York, LA, London and Tel Aviv events, plus multiple #140Conf MeetUps held across the U.S.

I believe that the knowledge shared and learned at this event will help bring more people into the twitter ecosystem. The take aways from this event will provide the attending delegates knowledge, perspectives and insights to the next wave of effects twitter will have on business.

So please, think about what YOU could contribute to the dialog, and who you may know who would be interested in being part of this event.

#140conf is the twitter hashtag for the conference. I would appreciate your help in once again spreading awareness of the April conference to the people who you are connected with on your social networks.

What I hope to bring together is a gathering of people with a variety of backgrounds and together explore the future of where things are going and how to best prepare the community at large to get there.

If you are interested in speaking at: 140 Characters Conference, and or would like to suggest a speaker, please tweet your nomination to #140conf. I will be checking the twitter stream on an almost real-time basis for nominations. You can also contact me by sending email to: jeff@pulver.com. The deadline for speaking proposals is: Friday, January 22nd but the first to be nominated will be the first considered.

I am also looking for sponsors and for exhibitors to be part of our twitter showcase. My goal is to have a special section of the event just for applications, and a maybe this time a Best Of #140conf Award for killer apps. For more information about sponsoring and exhibiting, please contact me by sending email to: jeff@pulver.com.

A new approach to the pricing of the #140conf events was announced last week. Click here to learn more about this.

For more information about upcoming #140conf events, please visit: http://140conf.com.

Upcoming #140conf Meetups - January 2010:

Jan 12th - Philly
Jan 14th - Boston
Jan 19th - NYC
Jan 21st - London

If you would like to sponsor or speak at a future meetup or if you would like to see a #140conf meetup happen in a city closer to you, please feel free to contact: Jeff Pulver / jeff @ pulver.com

You can join the #140conf Meetup Mailing List over at: http://meetup.com/140conf

Upcoming #140conf 2010 Events 0:

February 15th:#140conf Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain
March 16th : #140conf @ SXSW (you need to register for SXSW to have access) - Austin, TX
April 20th-21st - #140conf NYC ‘10. Register NOW - NYC, NY