Mel Hopkins

38 minutes ago, ProfD said:

I think brotha @Delano is referring to the Metaverse in general as a temporary escape from reality.

 

At least, that's what the whole Lego digital people and landcape looks like to me.

I felt a little guilty because reading does help me escape some of the madness.  And yep  nailed it with legoland!

2 hours ago, Delano said:

Another way to temporarily escape reality. 

Reading?  Or media in general?  

3 hours ago, Troy said:

Can you think of a so called influencer who is a Black, cis-gender, male in my age range on TikTok, for example?  Is he buck dancing (metaphorically speaking).  Again I will give it a shot...

Here's a group I found via aarp  - Silverfox Squad LLC - I think the founding member designs shoes  - He's verified on instagram has about a half-million followers. Who knew? lol

io

On 3/14/2022 at 2:27 PM, daniellegfny said:

also your expertise might be extremely helpful with this particular down

@daniellegfnyI'm not sure what you mean by " this particular down. "  Also, I'm not a blockchain technology expert.  My vocation is journalism. I'm an expert at gathering and disseminating information.  In short, I read a lot.

On 3/14/2022 at 12:22 PM, Troy said:

This would comport with my experience.  Any AALBC content that went viral on social does so because of someone else's efforts -- not mime.  In each case I never was able to identify the person who first my content go virial.

I was wrong about the influencer part...

On 3/14/2022 at 12:07 PM, Troy said:

'm part of a program called Builder + Backers and am hoping to do an experience in which I can test the effectiveness of TikTok for AALBC,

I'm not familiar with the Builder + Backers program. If you could, would you share an overview? 

Also, I don't know why this escapes me (maybe I'm too close)- but YOU ARE AN INFLUENCER with the oldest black books promotion website on the internet. AALBC continuously drives black book sales and promotes authors through email marketing, promotional marketing, bookselling programs, and social movement. 

TikTok is designed for low information consumers. The TikTok audience wants their info in easy-to-understand, digestible "byte"-size increments so they can share it with others. My daughters always force me to participate in the music and dance challenges, which I love. I've noticed the same with other parents our age -even celebrity gen-Xers and X-boomers. 

So, from the cultural perspective, TikTok has been able to bridge the generation gap. Users even engage others in the literary movement and have brought a lot of backlist books to bestselling status. So, here's a thought. BookTok (43 billion views as of today)- "BlackLit" could be the theme (the blacklit hashtag isn't popular) featuring social movement black literary fiction. For example, my daughter's beau's grandfather wrote Trumbull Park in 1959. Recently inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, Trumbull Park is about the first black family moving into a whites-only public housing project. I've noticed in the aalbc newsletter you reach back to spotlight the literary history makers. So there might be a way to get your #Sankofa (2.3 million TikTok views) on, to use that editorial angle as a point of entry to tell and promote aalbc's story on TikTok.  

@Troy Off-Topic:  My club notifications isn't working.  I get notifications from the forum topics but not club notifications.  I do have it set to receive notifications when someone comments, starts a topic or replies to my topics  - but I'm not getting anything. I hope club members are getting notice of activities from Readingblack.com 

On 3/12/2022 at 9:55 PM, Delano said:

Would this result in more book sales or is it going to limit book sales but expand the resale market. 

My preliminary assessment is trading nft books is no different than big 5 publishing does with books that are in the public domain and no longer have copyright protection.  Penguin Random House makes a grip selling "The Souls of Black Folks by W.E.B DuBois  - so yes, I believe it would expand the resale market in a similar way.  No one can own the copyright on the book but you can update it with your insight and create NFT for it.  At least, my understanding is the copyright remains with the creator , the winning bidder owns the the original digital file.    

On 3/13/2022 at 7:00 AM, daniellegfny said:

Gather the creatives to artistically, and graphically d display what’s been buried, burned, flooded, and erased through time in our history. 

My understanding of the blockchain ledger - crudely put: no one can go back and change the building blocks. So, the only way it could be effective in black history keeping is if we start from today and add digitized artifacts - kind of like the national archives.   Have you read  this whitepaper https://www.archives.gov/files/records-mgmt/policy/nara-blockchain-whitepaper.pdf ?

10 minutes ago, Troy said:

Do you, or anyone else here besides Danillegfny and myself hold, cryptocurrency

Yes, I've been trading Bitcoin, Ethereum and other coins since 2018.  Coinbase pays you to learn about new coins. 

13 minutes ago, Troy said:

but the adoption rate of buying physical things with crypto faces many challenges which will imped if not stop wide spread adoption. 

We trade in cryptocurrency like we trade in fiat money - I'm not sure what you mean.  I haven't used my cashapp to trade in cryptocurrency yet - but it's an option.  Do you rermember when I wrote about Publica back in 2018?

On 3/13/2022 at 11:20 AM, Troy said:

  I'm just not sure this is translating into buyers and readers.

Reports indicate booktok had an impact on book buying but not necessarily reading. If I remember correctly, Pew Research indicated reading held steady.  I think I mentioned this last month in one of the aalbc discussions. 

"Kristen McLean, executive director and industry analyst at NPD Bookscan, said social media—particularly TikTok users who post about books, known collectively as BookTok—has “definitely been a factor” in surging book sales, along with the pandemic in general, with many of the sales gains coming in Q1 and Q2 before the Covid-19 vaccines were widely available." https://www.forbes.com/sites/annakaplan/2022/01/28/how-tiktok-helped-fuel-the-best-selling-year-for-print-books/?sh=4ac1eb617c3a

On 3/13/2022 at 11:20 AM, Troy said:

 

Somehow I don't think I could garner that type of following -- she is a 20-something and I', old enough to be her grandfather.  But you know what, maybe I'll just give it s shot and see for myself.

Also like I mentioned in Readingblack.com - maybe folks our age would better benefit from a relationship with influencers instead of spending the time running an account. 

On 3/13/2022 at 11:23 AM, Troy said:

Perhaps we will also use AI to read the books for us too

Troy, you are killing it! AWS has AI (am*z*n comprehend) to help with reading comprehension

On 3/13/2022 at 11:26 AM, Troy said:

Are you seeing may folks in our age on TikTok?  Did you discover Kendra Reads before you saw the CBS News article?

I get all my TikTok notifications from my daughters, who share stories with me.

Since I don't spend much time on TikTok, I followed up on the CEO's claim of about 40 billion views for the hashtag BookTok. Following that lead, I searched for black BookTok and found Kendra.Reads via the CBS news story. I followed her because she promotes black books and follows up on recommendations where popular series contain black characters. 

I didn't see one ad while watching any TikTok video. Starting an account and getting an audience would be too time-consuming for me. The way to benefit from the hashtag BookTok is through its popular influencers promoting books. 

I saw TikTok CEO Shouzi Chew on Bloomberg this morning and the interviewer, David Rubenstein, asked Chew, how someone Rubenstein's age could benefit from TikTok. Chew answered BookTok, generates 40 billion views (BILLION WITH A B ) for the booktok hashtag. There is also Black BookTok  I found one influencers "Kendra.Reads" https://www.tiktok.com/@kendra.reads?lang=en with more than 100k followers who was featured on CBS news https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendra-keeter-gray-tiktok-creator-black-characters/. 

I'm on tiktok.  So far I just watch.  Is anyone promoting here promoting their books, bookstore or publishing company on tiktok? Post your profile name so we can follow. 

On 3/9/2022 at 6:20 PM, Troy said:

Who is on TikTok anyway?  

 

  I am ThrvngWrtr.  But I haven't thought of how to use it yet.  Which is why seeing TikTok CEO Shouzi Chew on Bloomberg this morning was wild.  The interviewer, David Rubenstein, asked Chew, how someone Rubenstein's age could benefit from TikTok. Chew answered BookTok, generates 40 billion views (BILLION WITH A B ) for the booktok hashtag. There is also Black BookTok  I found one influencers "Kendra.Reads" https://www.tiktok.com/@kendra.reads?lang=en with more than 100k followers who was featured on CBS news https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendra-keeter-gray-tiktok-creator-black-characters/. 

On 3/9/2022 at 6:41 PM, Troy said:

 

We are a long way away from selling books on block chains

not so fast... have you checked out Publica https://publica.com/

On 2/27/2022 at 4:01 PM, Guest Tony said:

Obama was half white, Harris is half black and married to a white male and now Jackson is married to white.  Don't tell me you don't see the pattern. Why was a bother not good enough?

Well, in the case of President Obama, "a brother" was more than good enough. Obama's father is a black man who met the President's mother in college when both were studying Russian. But President Obama is married to a black woman he met on the job (White Shoe Law firm) "When Barry Met Michelle." 

There is a pattern, and it's called access.

We rarely leave our comfort zone to find a mate. 

Judge Brown Jackson met her husband when they were in school (Harvard). A mutual friend set Madame Vice President up on a blind date with her future husband (former Partner at a multinational law firm). They married when she was 50 or already in her 50s. 

If there's something to gripe about, it's how they all run together like some badass wolfpack. 

Btw, betcha didn't know the Late Senator John McCain's daughter-in-law is a black woman. McCain's son met his wife in the military. 

Let's say you have a publishing company and want to release the next bestseller, "Grind and Hustle."

Would you pay a ghostwriter $40000.00 to write the book?

Or would you use Artificial Intelligence software to produce 20,000 words for $29 and hire an editor? 

16 minutes ago, daniellegfny said:

@Mel Hopkinshave you examined my experience yet? https://mtvrs.io/MysteriousBusyIchidna 

I don't have the app - and they haven't updated it in 3 years.   Also, I'm not thrilled by GoMeta's privacy policy. http://help.gometa.io/privacy.html

On 3/6/2022 at 11:08 AM, Troy said:

Now I will poke my head in from time to time to see what is going on, but the idea of going into a fully immerse environment controlled by someone solely interested in exploiting and manipulating me for profit is not something I'll be lining up to sign up for. 

@Troy

Interaction defines the metaverse, not necessarily the website platform. The word folks are using in connection with the metaverse is "interoperability," defined as: "the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information." 

We connect to the internet with personal computers and handheld mobile devices in "cyberspace." Well, to successfully interact with the metaverse, we'll have to incorporate devices that allow for augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D media (which has been in use forever - remember those blue and red glasses they used to hand out at the theater?), etc.

The brands designing those lifestyle products, i.e., software embedded in hardware, will most likely benefit from consumer consumption. For comparison, think of Apple's micro semiconductor chip. The Apple A14 Bionic is a 64-bit ARMv8.4-A system on a chip (SoC) that makes the iPhone the must-have device today. While I don't have to use iCloud or even go there as a destination, it is an option because I'm a product consumer. In contrast, I don't have to go to Facebook for any reason. I'm even less likely to engage in the Meta platform in the metaverse.

Yes, of course, most people go to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but the internet doesn't belong to those websites, any more than the metaverse will belong to them tomorrow. Mark Z - and the other ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) brands will always work together to get the biggest payday from consumers.  

Here's where it gets sticky and appears to be a "gold rush" mania in the making. Folks involved in cryptocurrency make it seem like you have to trade 'coins' and buy 'land' in the metaverse. 

So far, it appears that you can still register a metaverse domain and develop your website through coding. Some say that NFT (non-fungible tokens) will replace trademark laws, so "get yours now." Some have tried that with internet domains and have lost, with-quickness, to the major brands who hold those trademarks.

Anyway, I believe the metaverse will be another way to engage readers. I plan to write more about this topic on #readingblack.com.   

On 2/20/2022 at 12:53 PM, Chevdove said:

Most of us would never waste our time going into a White racist forum, however, these evil spirits spend all of their time thinking about us.

And Let the Church say, "Amen!" 

12 hours ago, Troy said:

Did you ever hear me say this?  If not, it is a keen observation.

Maybe. I've interviewed you on a few occasions. Or it's just the reporter in me.

4 hours ago, Delano said:

Jimmy Carter leads by example but he doesn't have charisma for the masses.

Former President JC did get elected to lead. But I agree he is a rare air man and the problems he’s willing to solve - are too difficult to assemble a large following. 

I’m still tripping over his willingness to go into a nuclear reactor.  

Carter also tackled affordable housing - and joined habitat for humanity in the 80s  to put together a annual home building program that offers different levels of involvement.  That’s strong leadership there to get folks from around the world to build homes for people they don’t know.  

Good food for thought here  @Delano

2 hours ago, richardmurray said:

Some leaders like to not give the people what they want if it has a negative tinge. And that restrictions limits ones leadership possibilities.

Ding, Ding, Ding!  Powerful observation! 

We have so many leaders today - and all start out by responding to the will of the people.  

Celebrities rarely become leaders - leaders sometime become celebrities.  

For example, Beyonce became a leader not because she could sing but because her journey mirrored the millennial woman’s journey. The songs she chose amplified what some women (all ethnicities and ages) were experiencing but had a hard time articulating. 

She sang their trials and provided solutions. 

“Put a ring on it”  Beyonce  led many young women to consider marriage while promoting the nuclear family. 

Troy Johnson became a leader not because he reads books - but because he decided books by and for black people needed a platform to get the recognition they deserved.  Lawd knows publishing companies weren’t doing it.  Today, Troy leads many people to consider black books first! 

True leaders are rarely in front of a group.  Leaders center themselves in a group that has problems no one is addressing.  Leaders organize a group that already exist and provides them direction.  

Bravo @richardmurray You nailed it!

3 hours ago, Troy said:

 

I'm also considering how artificial intelligence (AI) can, or should, be brought to bear in this conversation.

 

Yes! I’m excited by the possibilities! Bring it!

I'm familiar with and use "dialogue," - meaning conversation between two or more. It also means "exchange," which is better suited. I moderate for this forum but it is our discussion. 

So, for clarity, and the benefit of our members, since I didn't understand your question or the context. I looked it up before I responded. 

It appears Multilog/multilogue is a nontraditional word. 

Written like this, MultiLog appears to have a specific definition in computer technology.   It's an interesting concept related to multiple logging applications and tracking user actions. However, I'm not sure the MultiLog program will help independent authors incorporate 5G wireless technology or D2D communication into the bookselling model. 

I'd like for us, #readingblack members, to explore the latter, how to use 5G and D2D in bookselling. 

As I mentioned in another thread here,- since Verizon partnered with Malik Books, there may be a way for independent authors to use the technology. 

In answer to your question, we can post most media types in this forum, video included.