One of the exciting aspects of the New Media, and I’m speaking of professional blogging specifically, is that it is still evolving, still emerging. As I write this, much of the leadership of this growing field is still gathered in Las Vegas for Blogworld Expo 2009, the one-of-a-kind event “for all new media”.

It’s been interesting to monitor Twitter as some of the big names I’ve been following Tweet about the awesome presentation they are attending, or about the mentor they ran into, or the peers they finally got to enjoy dinner with. I picture typical convention interactions – except everyone is in their slippers and bathrobe.

Do I wish I was there? Sure. Not Vegas particularly, but the Expo itself, yes – meeting and exchanging with the field’s leaders and shapers. There have been many annual AIA, CSI, and ULI conventions that I’d hoped to attend but didn’t. However, I believe the difference between those conferences and Blogworld Expo 2009 is the nature of the industries they represent. The former are established groups, founded on bricks and mortar, essentially seeking to adapt to the changing world. The field of blogging is, by its nature, actually leading some of the change.  

Blogging appeared as, and will always be, a cottage industry. It consists of independent thinkers (yes, sometimes clothed in robe and slippers) presenting their ideas and building consensus through a de-centralized media. The centralized, conglomerated media that grew alongside the AIA and other construction industry associations late in the industrial age is giving way to the New Media.

Professional blogging is our media, global in reach, but focused in audience. The established industries, especially those based in the physical realm of construction, will adapt to the New or they will become marginalized. We, as architect-bloggers, can lead in thought and in consensus building, helping to shape the change in our field – and to profit from its adaptation.