I recently programmed and produced the Media Futures Conference, a one day exploration of the dynamics and trends shaping the future of media. Attended by 250 people representing a cross-section of disciplines and roles, it hosted thought-provoking presentations, panels and lively debate, while showcasing innovative projects that took place on 20 June at Alexandra Palace in London. The conference was run by the BBC. We discussed future media in broader terms, and in a more grounded fashion, than it is usually addressed. The societal and social context of media was also key, and we looked at social trends shaping media adoption and use, and the real lives of the people we knew as 'users'. We will also hosted an open invite for provocations and Show and Tells. There was no cost to attend the conference. The event will be documented, and we have started posting material and references on the Discussion and documentation page. We hope the outputs will be stimulating.
The opening keynote, Unknown unknowns: assessing media futures, was given by Dr Brian Winston, Lincoln Professor of Communications at the University of Lincoln. Among his messages were to "Avoid the hyperbolic... Don’t see things as more than they are... Stop talking about content: focus on creativity". Winston's keynnote was controversial, but suprisingly well.
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