This is a guest post by Matt Wynn, Watchdog Reporter for the Omaha World-Herald and organizer of the Omaha Hacks/Hackers chapter.
It seems like a post about Hacks/Hackers should start with some rumination on the future of news and information. I just can’t bring myself to do it. A legion of folks have already spent untold man hours stewing over the problems with news coverage and talking about ways to make it better. Indeed, a cottage industry has sprung up in journalism punditry, which might be ironically funny if it weren’t so self-defeating.
Suffice it to say that journalists and technologists – two trades with a long relationship best summed up as utter indifference – are finding a lot of common ground. Technologists (the hackers) are developing tools to filter, visualize and distribute information. They’re using public records and hooking into government data services. Meanwhile, journalists (the hacks) are leveraging technology to better find and tell stories. They’re developing tools to increase understanding and better move information. And one doesn’t have to look too far to find a product that takes its cues from both sides. Foursquare. Google’s NGram Viewer. WikiLeaks. The list goes on.
The goal of Hacks/Hackers is to bring people from both disciplines together to share what they know and bring new ideas to life. We can cover a lot of ground, from data visualization to open government; from information democratization to new ways communicate. Throw in an overarching sense that tech can help us learn more about where we live and improve it, and you start to see what Hacks/Hackers is all about.
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Chapters have already sprung up around the country to do everything from grab beers to tackle tough local problems. HH Boston had a hackathon focusing on OpenBlock, an open-source version of one of the first high-profile data-driven journalism sites. HH Los Angeles had a session on data visualization, which included a bit on GeoDjango and how it could help make sense of the fractured landscape that city deals with every day. But it’s not all hands-on and high level. HH Austin wrapped up 2010 by swapping lingo used by both groups (i.e. what is a pica pole?).
I’m particularly excited to see what Hacks/Hackers Heartland can bring to the table. We have a savvy, invigorated creative class with big ideas. We have talented coders who build smart products that fill real needs. We have journalists with big plans and an appetite to learn. Even our government is interested in making itself transparent and open. Bring those ingredients together, and I can’t help but think good things will happen.
We’re going to keep things low-key as we kick off. HH Heartland will have its first get-together on Wednesday, February 16, 6 p.m. at Jake’s in Benson (6206 Maple Street).
If you want to help out, get in touch. I need a hand picking future venues and topics, then organizing events once the logistics are out of the way. Anything is on the table, and I’d love to hear any ideas you may have. You can reach me at matt.wynn@gmail.com, and you can stay clued in by following @hackshackersHLD.
Hope to see many of you on the 16th.
Update: Wynn appeared on today’s Weekly Wrap Up show to talk about Hacks/Hackers Heartland, see: “Weekly Wrap Up with guest Matt Wynn of Hacks/Hackers Heartland.”
