Backchannels and Self-Heckling: A Geek Chorus of One
It's fascinating to read about the origins of modern backchannels in this 2003 NYT article, In the Lecture Hall, a Geek Chorus. I see the same benefits and challenges persisting today. Just this week in an Elluminate class, our guest speaker was rather overwhelmed by our constant stream of chatter in the "chat box". And that was a pretty quiet class! If only he knew about the various other conversations also happening concurrently via Skype Chat, Google Chat, etc...
One of the best, funniest, most creative uses of a backchannel I've ever seen is Rob Cottingham's self-heckling via Twitter at Northern Voice 2009, Vancouver's blogging unconference. Rob is a brilliant social media strategist who works with non-profits, mission-based businesses, etc. He also happens to be incredibly funny. His NV2009 keynote was called "Teh Funny," and throughout the presentation, he heckled himself from his own Twitter account via pre-scheduled tweets. Read more about the keynote and the entire backchannel transcript here. Not only are his self-heckling tweets themselves notable, but just how active the backchannel was about the self-heckling tweets. Genius!
One of the best, funniest, most creative uses of a backchannel I've ever seen is Rob Cottingham's self-heckling via Twitter at Northern Voice 2009, Vancouver's blogging unconference. Rob is a brilliant social media strategist who works with non-profits, mission-based businesses, etc. He also happens to be incredibly funny. His NV2009 keynote was called "Teh Funny," and throughout the presentation, he heckled himself from his own Twitter account via pre-scheduled tweets. Read more about the keynote and the entire backchannel transcript here. Not only are his self-heckling tweets themselves notable, but just how active the backchannel was about the self-heckling tweets. Genius!
October 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Thanks, Beth. I had a blast doing it, too. :)
October 19, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Beth,
What a great article. My opinion about the backchannel has shifted this last year from distraction to true appreciation when the chatter is relevant to the topic. Frequently it DOES serve as both Greek and Geek chorus, illuminating and underlining. More texture, more surface area to share information and ideas.