My overwhelming impression on the topic is that the said social media and its acolytes succeed in glorifying style over substance – and elevating superficiality to an art-form. Which I consider to be a scary trend. It’s almost the cyber equivalent of the neurologically disengaged British tea-party circuit of old. ;-)

Anyway I never aimed to offer any solutions because I wanted to present a list of people that you or me could work with, like Mandy did in her article. Those people are each doing their own thing, in their own respective ways, to grow and develop.

“Business is a matter of supply and demand. New media skills are in short supply and great demand. Right now the white boys hold the lion’s share of the supply. The way I see it, they have little interest or incentive to let go and empower others to share in the wealth, skills or technology in the new media industry.”

http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/specialfocus/dewaal080606.asp?O=FPH

However, i think i sufficiently argued enough on my blog that it makes much more economic sense for EVERYONE involved. The specifics of this is a long analysis to explain, but lets make it short and to the point as i can, the fact that more people are included makes the MARKET size bigger, the fact that more people are aware of it, INCREASES the reach of social media, this has a knock on effect where MORE people are using social media/new media and therefore companies that invest in this get a higher ROI and yes, consultants out there can charge more. If you are not following my argument, please comment back. Maybe this warrants a further blog post. But that being said, if for nothing else by virtue of more people being involved, ANYONE INVOLVED In the industry is better off (NOT WORSE, contrary to popular belief)

I think people are hiding behind this issue by attacking insignificant aspects of the articles which were written and not being open and honest enough to admit that something is not 100% in the industry.

I agree with Darren’s comment 100%

I also think, if you don’t like Ramon, that does not make this whole debate a non-issue. I am very dissapointed that the defensive position is so immaturely being taken by the majority of white people. I thought there’s be some more mature thinkers out there seeing everyone one is supposedly such an expert on communication.

On the other side of it I do believe there are many examples of integration, but it still pales in comparison the the overall representation.

Lets hope this whole debate does not change the way we interact with each other and start looking at each other’s skin colour with more disdain. This is less about there being 2 camps and more about the web industry not keeping up with the greater integration taking place in the rest of society.

Come on, empower a coloured – what tool are you using?

The real issues IMO are:
- is there really a lack of transformation (I believe that there is) within out industry?
- If we agree there is, should we be doing anything about it?
- if we say that we should, what can we do and how do we do so without marginalising anyone?

Simon makes an excellent point: “I think the most effective way forward would be to acknowledge that more communication needs to take place in the local industry”

Andrew Smith/Khathutshelo – bring in an interesting angle to the debate as well. And that’s exactly what we need. Open debate with contrasting viewpoints.