
Overview: NEW YORK CITY, JUNE 2012 Event coverage and commentary from the growing community of Jeff Pulver's #140 Conference. Includes content on the social family dynasties, the #140 community and more.
As today's events focus on best practices and the latest product announcements, the 140 Conference series takes a unique approach. The #140Conf founder and host Jeff Pulver seeks to create a community of social media mavericks. Pulver, founder of Vonage and the VOIP technology that allows us to have a voice-over-the-internet continues to give people a voice over the internet. Since 2009, the #140Conf series has traveled to over 50 locations worldwide with speakers sharing how they use real time media to make a difference. The growing number of events are streamed live and have received over 80 million views.
This year's #140Conf, titled “The State of NOW: Search for Meaning” was held in New York City on June 19 to 20. The two-day event benchmarks today's real time media and its impact on democracy, government, journalism, education, innovation, fashion, music, parenting, and much more. With each ten minute session, speakers share their testimonies and take storytelling to make heartfelt connections.
One must experience the discovery and full renewal of life that the #140Conf provides during these events, however, here are some notable mentions gathered from this week's State of NOW event.
Social Race and Rise of Humanity
We can get caught up in the social race and speak about our communities like they are our IRL (in real life) families. However, online communities and families are only as intimate and real as long as the conference, chat, or hashtag lasts. After that, our connections go back to avatars and brands on a flat screen, communities are relayed as traffic and readership and real life, as we know returns into flesh and blood with all its warts. It is with the real members of our families where see the real deal, the good, the bad and the ugly.
This year's #140Conf State of NOW theme was about finding meaning. It was interesting to see families with high social influence represented. Unlike other social media conferences I've participated in this year, the thread of real soul was weaved throughout the event with the remarkable number of familes including spouses, children, parents, nephews and more represented.
As Jeff shared in his opening message, "As the social web gives people a voice, the true value of real time web can be found in the rise of humanity." Could the growing numbers of families represented at this event be proof that in the midst of the rapid tech growth that humanity is on the rise?
No doubt families played a large role speaking on stage together, participating as audience members and supporting the activities behind the scene and screen throughout the event. The family units represented at this week's event encapsulated the overall message of this rise in humanity.
As today's events focus on best practices and the latest product announcements, the 140 Conference series takes a unique approach. The #140Conf founder and host Jeff Pulver seeks to create a community of social media mavericks. Pulver, founder of Vonage and the VOIP technology that allows us to have a voice-over-the-internet continues to give people a voice over the internet. Since 2009, the #140Conf series has traveled to over 50 locations worldwide with speakers sharing how they use real time media to make a difference. The growing number of events are streamed live and have received over 80 million views.
This year's #140Conf, titled “The State of NOW: Search for Meaning” was held in New York City on June 19 to 20. The two-day event benchmarks today's real time media and its impact on democracy, government, journalism, education, innovation, fashion, music, parenting, and much more. With each ten minute session, speakers share their testimonies and take storytelling to make heartfelt connections.
One must experience the discovery and full renewal of life that the #140Conf provides during these events, however, here are some notable mentions gathered from this week's State of NOW event.
Social Race and Rise of Humanity
We can get caught up in the social race and speak about our communities like they are our IRL (in real life) families. However, online communities and families are only as intimate and real as long as the conference, chat, or hashtag lasts. After that, our connections go back to avatars and brands on a flat screen, communities are relayed as traffic and readership and real life, as we know returns into flesh and blood with all its warts. It is with the real members of our families where see the real deal, the good, the bad and the ugly.
This year's #140Conf State of NOW theme was about finding meaning. It was interesting to see families with high social influence represented. Unlike other social media conferences I've participated in this year, the thread of real soul was weaved throughout the event with the remarkable number of familes including spouses, children, parents, nephews and more represented.
As Jeff shared in his opening message, "As the social web gives people a voice, the true value of real time web can be found in the rise of humanity." Could the growing numbers of families represented at this event be proof that in the midst of the rapid tech growth that humanity is on the rise?
No doubt families played a large role speaking on stage together, participating as audience members and supporting the activities behind the scene and screen throughout the event. The family units represented at this week's event encapsulated the overall message of this rise in humanity.

Jeff Pulver with the Chopra family including Deepak, Mallika and Gotham.
Family Dynasties and Finding Meaning
Chopra Family
Social media dynasty families represented throughout the event include the Chopras, Pulvers and Brogans. Although that little blue check mark by the name in the Twitter profiles may help to prove the high level of social influence these families of media dynasties indeed have, the real measure of influence can be seen in the way they influence and interact with each other through the words and actions.
The conversation with the Chopra family was full of rich insight and enlightening as one would expect from Deepak and his offspring, however, the most impactful message shared that demonstrated true character, integrity and leadership was when Deepak Chopra announced:
"I'm married to their mother, who is the best woman in the world."
Chopra Family
Social media dynasty families represented throughout the event include the Chopras, Pulvers and Brogans. Although that little blue check mark by the name in the Twitter profiles may help to prove the high level of social influence these families of media dynasties indeed have, the real measure of influence can be seen in the way they influence and interact with each other through the words and actions.
The conversation with the Chopra family was full of rich insight and enlightening as one would expect from Deepak and his offspring, however, the most impactful message shared that demonstrated true character, integrity and leadership was when Deepak Chopra announced:
"I'm married to their mother, who is the best woman in the world."

Pulver Family
Dylan and Jake Pulver, the founders of Solecamp.com talked about the state of today's footware industry with a conversation with Jeff Staple, founder of Staple Design & Reed Space and Ronnie Fieg, owner and founder of Kith NYC.
There was some show-stopping shoe fashion conversations shared throughout the event such as the panel discussion on the topic of how real-time media is impacting the footwear industry, led by two 17 year-old entreprenuers who are also Jeff Pulver's twin sons.
Jeff introduced the panel with a warm hug, as he does with every presenter he invites to share. Trying to be humble, the spirit of paternal pride surrounded the stage as his own sons were welcomed to speak.
Dylan and Jake Pulver, the founders of Solecamp.com talked about the state of today's footware industry with a conversation with Jeff Staple, founder of Staple Design & Reed Space and Ronnie Fieg, owner and founder of Kith NYC.
There was some show-stopping shoe fashion conversations shared throughout the event such as the panel discussion on the topic of how real-time media is impacting the footwear industry, led by two 17 year-old entreprenuers who are also Jeff Pulver's twin sons.
Jeff introduced the panel with a warm hug, as he does with every presenter he invites to share. Trying to be humble, the spirit of paternal pride surrounded the stage as his own sons were welcomed to speak.

Brogan Family
Blogger and business leader Chris Brogan and his friend, Jacqueline Carly supported his parents just before he welcomed Steve and Diane Brogan, founders of Mom Pop Pow to the #140Conf stage.
Chris' mom, Diane Brogan, the influencer to one of the most influential social media leaders shared about what she has learned during her first steps into social media, “With a little bit of knowledge, and a smart phone, you can have the whole world in your hands.”
Voices and Meaning Found Through the URL and IRL
As we all continue on the digital journey, some of us are following along with the trends, some are making an impact, leading and changing ourselves and others. With today's technology giving us the opportunity to hold the world in our hands and search for anything at anytime, where can we find the true meaning of life?
Technology and all of its devices can broaden our views and allow us to search for many things we are seeking in our lives. However, in our search for meaning at this event, I have learned that meaning cannot be found in a hashtag, search bar or URL.
Today's state of meaning is only found in the real time, IRL (in real life) events and experiences. It is through the meals, the laughter, the smiles, the tears and the hugs from the real people and families that real meaning and connection is found.
I'm grateful for the storytelling represented by the real voices shared online. Most of all, I'm thankful for the IRL community, and the opportunity of discovery that Jeff Pulver provides for so many people throughout the world as he continues to host these inspirational #140Conf events and experiences.
Blogger and business leader Chris Brogan and his friend, Jacqueline Carly supported his parents just before he welcomed Steve and Diane Brogan, founders of Mom Pop Pow to the #140Conf stage.
Chris' mom, Diane Brogan, the influencer to one of the most influential social media leaders shared about what she has learned during her first steps into social media, “With a little bit of knowledge, and a smart phone, you can have the whole world in your hands.”
Voices and Meaning Found Through the URL and IRL
As we all continue on the digital journey, some of us are following along with the trends, some are making an impact, leading and changing ourselves and others. With today's technology giving us the opportunity to hold the world in our hands and search for anything at anytime, where can we find the true meaning of life?
Technology and all of its devices can broaden our views and allow us to search for many things we are seeking in our lives. However, in our search for meaning at this event, I have learned that meaning cannot be found in a hashtag, search bar or URL.
Today's state of meaning is only found in the real time, IRL (in real life) events and experiences. It is through the meals, the laughter, the smiles, the tears and the hugs from the real people and families that real meaning and connection is found.
I'm grateful for the storytelling represented by the real voices shared online. Most of all, I'm thankful for the IRL community, and the opportunity of discovery that Jeff Pulver provides for so many people throughout the world as he continues to host these inspirational #140Conf events and experiences.

About The Author:
Since 1999, Andrea Cook's consultancy, The Midas Center has provided award-winning services to help build brands and buzz. Through her latest practice, EventCorrespondent.com, she captures trending content while reporting live, on-site as an event correspondent from industry-leading events. Follow @andreacook via Twitter or Google The Midas Center. You may also contact Andrea directly: acook [at] themidascenter [dot com] or (574)933-3999.
Since 1999, Andrea Cook's consultancy, The Midas Center has provided award-winning services to help build brands and buzz. Through her latest practice, EventCorrespondent.com, she captures trending content while reporting live, on-site as an event correspondent from industry-leading events. Follow @andreacook via Twitter or Google The Midas Center. You may also contact Andrea directly: acook [at] themidascenter [dot com] or (574)933-3999.