JWZ: rebellion creates legends

24Oct09

Who is Jamie Zawinski? How is the role he played & are design principals he helped spread important to you?

Jamie Zawinksi is the name behind Mozilla. His hope with the development of Mozilla derived from an unfortunate Netscape. JWZ wanted to create a browser/a code that would speak to its audience, asking “outsiders” to participate. Whether successful or not, his hope mirrors that of Wiki: developing projects that require and thrive off the input of outsiders. This was a change in authority – anyone was asked to contribute, and for free!

This is the theory behind social media. The audience creates and develops the messages and meanings.  The best projects thrive from participation: ie. Twitter, Wikipedia, Youtube.  Online communication and participation develop into physical, material projects and ideas. The Internet is developing new sources for knowledge, participation and thus, changing what impact individuals have with others and organizations.

Consider Doritos’ X-13D challenge. Social media is being utilized to increase engagement, participation and input to develop better products that entice audiences and more. Social media is the new media but it only works if online users are willing to contribute and participate. When it is free, people mobilize.

The point here: inviting outsiders in powers projects and ideas, especially when free.

The power of an online brand

Beyond his Mozilla project, JWZ has created an online brand for himself. No longer apart of Netscape or Mozilla, JWZ is known for his attitude and knowledge in the online sphere. A simple Google search results in pages of JWZ blogs and blips. His online participation has developed his brand. Reflecting on our personal brands, incorporating interests, knowledge and past experiences help to develop who you are online. As the world becomes more virtual, who you are online is equally as important as who you are in real life. An online brand positions you and creates a vault of information about you/your opinion.  Although we may resist, online presence takes you further, 24/7/365. If we aren’t ready to do it ourselves, we can just contract others to do it.  A brand can develop you and drive you beyond your career ala JWZ, Perez Hilton or Ashton Kutcher.

The point here: get an online brand or watch yourself become average.

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