These shifts in power have periods of chaos that allow new voices to emerge (i.e. Tech Crunch, Perez, etc.) that might not have under other circumstances. And any social media participant at least has the potential to create a big splash through insightful, valuable or just plain outrageous methods. Previously they would have been required to be “discovered” by a major content producer.

Is it a case of:
Meet the new boss.
Same as the old boss?

Not sure, I think we need a little more time before one can say.

I have to say that I was of two minds when I read the NYTimes article. First, I was really pleased that PR got such prominence. But it felt that it focused on the same old publicity machine, veiled in a social cloak. Hopefully, we can get beyond that (it will take work) toward real two-way interactions.

One of the things I like best about social media is the number of people/voices I have been able to interact with, the fresh perspectives, the ideas and offbeat links. To me, that’s one of its greatest values.

And some, perhaps, can gravitate to the same old, same old patterns. Millions found Twitter because of Oprah and Ashton Kutcher. But what was true before that moment, and what remains true now, is that it’s the underlying framework of community (perhaps not as visible to the inquiring eyes) is what keeps this all going.

The star followers are going to go after the next shiny thing, or the people they perceive with power.

What is different this time is that it is we, the community at large, that actually HAVE the power this time.