Gillmor Gang: Déjà Vu

Reflections on Digital Gatherings and the Evolving Landscape of Trust

Recently, the group, or a portion of it, participated in a Clubhouse discussion that extended considerably beyond the typical show length. The audio-only format presented a unique challenge, as the absence of visual cues sometimes blurred the lines between playful irony and unintentional rudeness. However, the overall experience felt remarkably familiar and comfortable.

I don’t readily recall the specific topics we covered, only that my own viewpoints seemed to be expressed with greater emphasis than usual. We did record the session, providing a fairly accurate representation of the conversation. It wasn’t so much a traditional show as a gathering centered around a set of ideas, lacking any concrete policy proposals. Several friends contributed, and numerous listeners joined and left throughout the event. The outcome aligned with my expectations.

Echoes of Woodstock and a Constant Evolution

The following day, I sought feedback from others, and their responses were also largely as anticipated. Later that evening, a Twitter Spaces event emerged, attracting a peak audience of 22,000 listeners, focused on the subject of cryptocurrency. This reminded me of being at Woodstock early in the festival’s first afternoon.

The barriers had been removed, and the concert was declared free, leading to a rapidly growing crowd. A sense of momentousness permeated the atmosphere, yet my primary concern was the ominous storm clouds gathering overhead. Eventually, as thunder began to rumble, I departed and returned to the relative safety of the town of Woodstock, located 40 miles away.

I spent part of my childhood in Woodstock and part in New York City, at my father’s apartment in Greenwich Village. From an early age, conversations around the kitchen table revolved around current events, the music and media of the time, and the dynamics of a family shaped by divorce, liberal values, and the belief that age didn’t dictate one’s importance in the discussion.

It always struck me as significant that all voices were heard and respected, regardless of generation, among step-siblings and half-siblings, and within both the Village and Woodstock communities. A continuous flow of artists, musicians, and filmmakers actively participated in the cultural moment of the 60s and beyond. For me, platforms like Clubhouse and Twitter, with their flattened hierarchies of opinion, represent a continuation of this dynamic, not a novel development.

Amazon Sidewalk and the Shifting Sands of Privacy

Security Concerns and the Opt-Out Paradox

During a recent episode of the Gang, the discussion turned to Amazon’s Sidewalk mesh network. It’s important to acknowledge the potential security implications. What are the consequences when a company with Amazon’s vast scale, having captured a substantial share of the global economy, offers an opt-out service that allows it to share customers’ broadband internet access with other Amazon users?

The audacity of providing an opt-out deadline, after which silence implies consent, is truly remarkable. Even considering that the algorithm utilizes only a small portion of your bandwidth and is unlikely to impact your access or subscription costs, the move feels particularly calculated. More concerning still is the possibility that such a network could grant access not only to bandwidth but also to the online activities of you and your neighbors. Truly, you are never far from scrutiny.

The New Normal: Post-Cookie Tracking and the Creator Economy

Currently, the barriers are down in this new digital landscape. Regulatory bodies are seeking their share, and the evolving rules surrounding post-cookie tracking and the balance between privacy and economic interests are being debated. Apple is challenging the newsletter model and the rationale behind the creator economy by altering access to open and click rates, which are crucial for analytics.

Tracking pixels will now activate en masse before the viewing process begins, rather than firing upon each click. Tools like Substack and Revue, used to monitor these indicators of user preference, will need to be replaced with direct requests for information, which feels like a trade-off between subscriber acquisition cost and user-provided data. I greatly appreciate new subscribers to the Gang newsletter, despite our move from Substack to Revue and the mystery of why people are subscribing to an empty feed. Perhaps the quiet is a benefit in itself.

Trust as a Core Value

As Professor Corey often stated, “No, no, I truly mean that.” The substance of what is said may be less important than how trust is established and maintained. The newsletter aims to be direct, avoiding unnecessary time spent on issues or perspectives already understood by the subscribing audience. As the cost of content creation approaches zero, tools are needed to assess the credibility and value of the increasing number of voices.

Where magazines and publishers once provided a vetting process, measuring trust is now essential for business success. While audience size remains important, understanding who those people are and how they interact within a social media environment is even more critical.

Live Audio and the Dynamics of Collective Evaluation

A similar dynamic is at play with live audio, where the conversation functions as a representative democratic process. Listeners can evaluate not only the content but also how it is received by others on the “stage.” These subtle cues of discovery between speakers are amplified by audience reactions, and painfully, by their silent departures. Moderators quickly adapt to such attrition by shifting to more engaging topics or introducing new speakers, collectively shaping the roadmap for future participation. In this model, subscription is less about monetary cost and more about the trust the group places in the producers and speakers.

Woodstock Revisited: Serendipity and Cultural Impact

At Woodstock, the removal of fences, traffic congestion, and the sheer logistical challenge of creating a city of half a million people in a short period led to unforeseen circumstances. Even the artists promoted by the organizers struggled to reach the stage. Instead, figures like John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful, who was attending but not performing, found themselves thrust into the spotlight, delivering iconic performances that reshaped their careers and the narrative of the festival itself.

Joni Mitchell, persuaded by her manager to forgo the event in favor of an appearance on the Dick Cavett show, received firsthand accounts from her boyfriend at the time, Graham Nash, who was performing with CSN&Y. Inspired by his descriptions, she wrote the song that would become the lead single from CSN&Y’s next album, “Déjà Vu,” and play over the film’s closing credits.

“We are stardust … golden … got to get back to the garden.” Joni Mitchell’s lyrical imagery, superimposed on the chaotic reality of Woodstock, captured the spirit of the moment. While Altamont, assassinations, pandemics, and the Vietnam War would soon overshadow the festival’s aura, we continue to celebrate the idea of Woodstock. The potential of cryptocurrency and the suppression of tracking pixels may unfold, but I’ll always prefer the harmonious melodies of CSN&Y with my morning breakfast.

from the Gillmor Gang Newsletter

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The Gillmor Gang — Frank Radice, Michael Markman, Keith Teare, Denis Pombriant, Brent Leary and Steve Gillmor. Recorded live Friday, June 4, 2021.

Produced and directed by Tina Chase Gillmor @tinagillmor

@fradice, @mickeleh, @denispombriant, @kteare, @brentleary, @stevegillmor, @gillmorgang

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