Florida Creatives – Creating a Community of Innovation

Wow. I guess we all don't have enough client work to keep us busy so we've resorted to infighting and name-calling?

I can't (for some unknown reason) read this so-called manifesto of Ryan's so I can't respond to it (the link is just blank), although I'm suspect of anything called a "manifesto" as being community-oriented (ha ha). So, I'll pretend it was a Purpose Statement since, as Ryan says, apparently he gets hammered with that question a lot.

I sort of think there are going to be plenty of people who don't "get it" - and by "it" I mean any sort of community-building, networking, socializing - whether for profit, fun, business-building, name-recognition, sharing ideas, sharing code, collaborating, or just hanging out in some rented warehouse and working together.

As Ryan said (rightly) above, "the results of community building will not be the same for everyone". True, that.

I'm a little unclear why Krupinski attacks Ryan here. Mark says he is Doterati's "Community Manager". I hardly think you manage a community by throwing darts at other groups about town, whether deserved or not. It reeks of a competitiveness which he goes on to defend against, yet simultaneously strengthening any reserve some might have about the exclusivity that Doterati seemingly wishes to be: to wit, the one-singular voice of Orlando (Central Fl) tech/marketing.

Which is all kind of hilarious, since Florida Creatives already has small groups popping up about the state following the successful model that Ryan and his Orlando pals have demonstrated for over a year of consistent meetings for socialization, networking, and what looks to be, just fun and collaboration (and perhaps a bit of commiserating over clients, etc). Personally, when I saw what Ryan had done in Orlando, I knew instinctively that I wanted to emulate that model here in Brevard rather than re-invent the wheel and start my own group. Ryan did a very smart thing by allowing anyone to use the Florida Creatives site and model for any similar group around the State and allowing us to follow in the footsteps of giants (so to speak).

In my view, the mission of Doterati is completely and utterly opposite of Florida Creatives, yet in no way conflicts with it (somewhat like the way the mission of the Miami Dolphins is completely different than the Miami Heat - both are sports, but there is really no need for overlap, yet it would surprise no one if there were a number of people who went to and participated in both games).

Doterati consistently puts the term "marketing" in their approach to things. They clearly have gone after "big business". They are clearly well-funded and are acting, in essence, as a techie Chamber of Commerce. These aren't accusations that need to be clarified or commented upon by the Doterati establishment. It's just what it is. No one has a problem with it.

As Ryan also pointed out, they have some kind of focus on membership. From their website, "Membership is free right now". Which means if you can fill out a Ning sign-up form, you're in! But there is a clear emphasis that they intend to be bigger and better. I signed up just to play ball and be a good sport. And why not? But I really have no intention of going to big conferences with giant placard displays and guys in suits and ties vying for contracts, showcasing their wares, or hobnobbing with "marketer" types like Ted Murphy, a key starter and supporter of Doterati. After all, I'm just a small-town web guy who's just a really, really smart. Oops! Did I say that last part outloud?

Anyway, I found it interesting that Krupinski repeatedly smacks Ryan for being the sole voice of Florida Creatives (which Ryan says 'bothered him'), but Ryan doesn't have a shady past, and well, he DID start Florida Creatives and is highly instrumental in shaping it and building it. For such a laid back, selfless person, I think what bothers him is that others who helped don't get credit by such superfluous charges, but few, especially outside of Orlando, see Ryan as anything but a guy who "gets it". No one questions his ethics or his role. Yet, Krupinski, well aware of Ted and his girlfriend's looming shadow on Doterati, and who has stridently defended against it (admittedly making some convincing arguments and good sense), has a lot of nerve calling into question Ryan's motives.

I applaud Ryan's own remarks directly above about how we will take better care not to use F/C as a battle-axe over his differences with other groups, but I think that goes both ways.

What I still fail to understand is how this is even an "issue". The singular issue many of us had with Doterati from the get-go had nothing to do with any sense of competition. Truly, most of us, incl. Krupinski I imagine, would love to see 100's of splinter groups all focused on their own benefits. To a large degree, this already is halfway there. We have Central Florida PHP, the SQL group, F/C, Doterati, the CoLab mentioned above, and dozens of smaller groups.. some student-related, some web-only, some more focused on high-tech industry and others on marketing. Where the heck is the competition?

Krupinski knows full-well that our only initial concern (emphasis on "initial") was the involvement of Ted Murphy. That has been addressed and while some of us may still be luke-warm about it, it hardly matters. Most everyone seem to take Doterati's defense of Murphy's involvement at face-value; although we didn't trust Ted, we felt that others deserved the benefit of the doubt and if they said Ted had honorable intentions, why not give him (and by extension, them) the chance to prove it? I think, quite honestly, that Krupinski's over-defense (i.e. attack) on Ryan and F/C here is somewhat understandable when you view it from the standpoint that he has been on the defensive from the starting gate. But, we have to move beyond that and see that Ryan's concerns (whatever they might have been since I couldn't read them) were likely far removed from the initial concern's over Doterati. In fact, Ryan was one of the first people who told me, in essence, to "simmer down" and let the Murphy issue drop - that we should give Doterati a chance and openly support them. And so I did - and will do.

But as I said above, the two have vastly different tunes in the same genre. There's little reason for most of this (from what I can see). I'll refrain from quoting Rodney King, but if I had to put the burden on anyone, I'll put it back on F/C and Doterati: Both need to better define each of your own missions. Doterati, under some degree of public pressure, admitted they jumped the starting gate and didn't really define what they are, what their purpose is, and why anyone should join. That was long since remedied and they have a rather lengthy page on their site now. If someone reads it and says "Ho hum, whatever", than obviously that person isn't really interested in Doterati.

It strikes me that Ryan was attempting to do the same, and maybe by way of contrast of other groups (by which he meant to draw distinction to clarify how F/C was different) he drew the ire of folks like Krupinski who, war-worn from Murphy defenses earlier this year, saw it as yet another smear against Doterati. That's just my guess. But I think Ryan's intentions were to strengthen and bolster the F/C name so that, at it's most basic level, people could identify with what F/C is and what's it's purpose is (and maybe why they should join and/or start their own group in their own city).

Personally, I think Krupinski's use of words like "un-group" is insulting and bordering on hostile. Let's let each person and/or group define their own group rather than the other doing it for them. And let's agree to openly support each other directing those who would be better served by the other to each other's groups (and the other groups around FL). Determining not to openly support each other's groups for anything but the most glaring of issues is, in my opinion, wrong-headed. It will lead to a breakdown across all groups. And that isn't what either "community" should be supporting.

Community isn't about clanship - it's about community. So let's work harder on that. We can best direct other's to join and participate in each other's groups when every group has better and clearer defined goals and purposes (or "mission statements").

But, let's be clear. Most of these groups didn't exist three years ago. Some are so new they still have mucus in their nasal passages. If terrorists attack Orlando, these arguments are going to seem quite petty by comparison. Let's work on building each other up, defining our own core purposes and missions, and referring whenever possible those who might benefit from involvement in other's groups. People are attracted to positives, to growth, to outreach. They will find their own way to the group and/or groups that best serve their needs. In that, we will all benefit.

I'm humbled by these comments. Honestly–a great deal of mental power being exhausted at the expense of; intellectual debate. Isalberg summed it up; clearly we're not busy enough.

As I understand it, having been at one of the first Florida Creative meetings ( and ordering a tasty Vodka and Tonic, because frankly–I wanted one ) Florida Creatives provides a simple premise; The collection and centralized gathering of people as a community to establish a goal, wether it be collectively–or dare we admit–solely for one's one personal propensity, education or own end-goals. Either way, its clay, put a few fingers in it and pass it to the next person. You can stop shaping it when you want. Be responsible and accountable for your actions and thoughts, not for others. Self-manage.

As idealistic as this idea is, it's derived from the same philosophical foundation that supports the Open Source movement; Access and Information–what you do with it, is up to you. Unfortunately–unlike software, hardware and gadgets–you can not rapidly prototype a community or idea with an immediate viable end-result. Let alone, 'socially engineer' people. And I advise all 'social-media gurus' to trend softly with their new found religion.

Krupinski, your very response ( and Title ) completely goes against the positioning of Florida Creatives. Continue to Organize what you want, succeed through ownership, responsibility and accountability. If your the type of person whom thrives in these conditions–then–go for it. Best wishes, write about it, tell us about it. Educate us.

Community does not denote hierarchy nor a linear stream of 'community consciousness and order.' In-fact, it is completely counter-intuitive.

Meetups have proved one thing about social-media, we still need human contact and interaction. These last 5-7 years have been the inevitable social-backlask of social-media, prior to the marketers commodification of the term, as we've coerced the technology back around to serve us; Find a website, read a post, contact a person and meetup to do–anything. Instead of the earlier model; Sit in front of a computer and pontificate or lurk. Which moved to 'share' and was later surpassed by the self-empowering; I, Me, We, You–positioning.

I'm not even that close with Ryan, but I understand what he is trying to do.
Ultimately, your response serves one purpose;

Commodifying dissent.
What is else left when the only real currency is; relationships. Aggregated in the country of Social-Media?

Lets get past it.

To Ryan,
Objectives need to be met, in order to succeed them. Obviously, your trying not to make Florida Creatives your personal objective. But to the outsider, they need a simple starting point. At-the-least, either a superficial observation to gauge the value of Florida Creatives. A perceived notion of value that may well change with each visitor. Unfortunately, I do not have a solution or answer to this crazy need for a mission. ;)

btw, dig the new look of the site. Seems like things have come a long way. :)

Inspire others to inspire you.

All,
I'm concerned about the divide that seems to be growing between the Doterati vs. Not-Doterati crowd. If there's one thing that will inhibit Central Florida from becoming a tech hub in the States, it's self-sabotaging divisions. There's a lot of folks who helped grow this community into what it's become, and there's no reason why the two ideologies can't co-exist.

The best of commentary, and the best of intent, don't seem to be mending the growing divide between the two schools of though. I hear a lot of distrust between the two camps, and it absolutely must end.

Anyone here can claim to be 'right', but I think the more important goal, is for us all to be successful. Whoever can accomplish that, in whatever way they can accomplish that, is the hero here.

I know I sound like the Switzerland of communities here. However, the end goal for everyone is the same. Let's not screw that up because of some very petty differences of opinion in how we all succeed.