Gillmor Gang: Days Go By

The Evolving Landscape of Work and Connection

One might ponder, as the Talking Heads once inquired, the essence of “working from anywhere.” Google, conversely, advocates for continued work within the traditional office setting. However, with the ongoing vaccine rollout, a segment of the workforce remains hesitant to fully return to pre-pandemic norms. This installment of the Gillmor Gang explores the concept of the office as a mindset, facilitated by platforms like Zoom and Clubhouse.

Navigating a Post-Election, VC-Driven World

We find ourselves saturated with information, past the point of novelty, and immersed in a complex environment of venture capital investments. Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) are prevalent yet elusive, and large-scale conferences often feel superficial. Simultaneously, individuals are seeking clemency, while many are simply requesting the continued freedom to work from their home-based digital spaces.

While this arrangement may prove viable in the short term, a crucial question remains: when will comprehensive research accurately assess the true extent of the changes we are experiencing? After enduring a challenging year, some individuals are prepared for anything except a continuation of their previous routines.

Remembering Hal Willner Through a Digital Gathering

Recently, Clubhouse hosted a tribute to the life and work of Hal Willner, a highly respected record producer who tragically passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 64. Michael Markman, a fellow member of the Gillmor Gang, alerted me to the event, and I chose to participate. Having collaborated with Willner on several projects, I shared the common regret of assuming his continued presence.

The Clubhouse room was filled with individuals who knew him intimately. It proved profoundly moving to hear them attempt to capture his essence, his professional achievements – including his work on Saturday Night Live – and his remarkable ability to unite disparate artists in unexpected collaborations. He possessed a unique talent for bringing together seemingly incompatible creative forces.

Defining "Normal" in a Changed World

As we attempt to define a new normal, shaped by the lessons learned from the pandemic, we all recognized a spark of Willner’s spirit and wished for further guidance in navigating the present. His friends, connecting from across the globe, shared perspectives as mentors, collaborators, and admirers. I felt a pang of regret for not fully appreciating the opportunity to learn from this extraordinary individual.

I understood his exceptional nature and the serendipity of our encounters. Clubhouse provided a uniquely human experience, made possible by individuals like Willner who embraced fleeting moments.

The Resilience of New Platforms

It’s tempting to dismiss these emerging platforms as fragile constructs, predicting the inevitable decline of hype, economic instability, and the dominance of larger entities. This may indeed occur, but what fundamental aspects of platforms like Clubhouse, Medium, or Substack are genuinely vulnerable? This is where political considerations often come into play.

A flawed or evolving business model doesn’t necessarily preclude eventual success. Even in a challenging environment, adapting to adversity can yield new realities that surpass conventional expectations.

Medium's Blogroll Feature: A New Incentive

Consider Medium, for instance. The platform recently introduced a “blogroll” feature, reminiscent of older blogging formats, designed to highlight and promote favorite authors. Medium’s analytics are utilized to generate a dynamically updated list of recommended follows, based on recent author activity.

This feature offers readers a convenient blend of social networking and content feeds, while providing writers with an incentive to increase their visibility within the community. It’s a simple yet purposeful addition, encouraging consistent posting on Medium. Following a shift away from funding original content and advertising revenue, this feature could potentially leverage existing infrastructure to support the growth of strategic analytics.

Increased engagement – measured by claps and click-through rates – strengthens the blogroll signal, creating a positive feedback loop.

The Connection to Remote Work

What relevance does this have to the concept of working from anywhere? The ability to cultivate a self-sustaining community of colleagues through digital technologies is paramount to bolstering the new economy. While audio is often contrasted with video, it expands the user base beyond traditional “creators” to include “doers” – those who facilitate the movement of products and services.

It functions as a continuous stream of news, music, discussion, alerts, and informal interaction, enriching both work and leisure. It represents a modern iteration of the local community hub.