Citizen Journalist Outshines Traditional Kind

The Blogging Enterprise, didn't look or feel like much when I attended it. Just over 100 people a roster of people who I mostly had not heard. But in a month when I've been to five tech conferences, some of wish are much better known and infinitely more expensive, this one really stands out.  So much was said worth remembering. I met so many great people I keep remembering, and I'll spare you the speaker roll.

But one guy stands out for a few reasons and that is Brian Oberkirch who you can find at weblogswork, which is a pretty good blog.  But that's not why I will remember him.

He was the driving force of the Slidell Hurricane Damage Weblog which is now inactive but was a driving force of good in Katrina's aftermath. Slidell, Brian's small hometown is located across lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans and got far less ink than its larger neighbor.  But Katrina put most of the town under seven feet of water and took down about 80 percent of what was standing. Brian set up the weblog as a central conduit of information for the community which was strewn about several states. People would go to his site and see footage of the town and discover that way that loved had survived. It is a very moving site and you might try reading it from start to ending as I recently did.  It tells a Hell of a story.

The Slidell Hurricane site reminds me of a point that has come clear, and I know I've said before. Blogging is at its best during a human crisis.  Traditional media cannot possibly be there when crisis erupts, explode or blow in. But people are there, relaying SMS messages to bloggers or using video or camera phones or doing what is commonly called Citizen Journalism.  There is nothing in the blogosphere that is more powerful. Nothing.

Brian was on a panel with a couple of traditional journalism guys. I will remember the guy from the Austin Statesman American, or whatever its called for his arrogance.  I will call the other from the WashingtonPost.com for misinterpreting Steve Rubel's joking moment of silence for old media. He was not amused, and he misquoted Steve, showing what a raw nerve had been brushed upon. I will not forget Brian Oberkirch.