I am aware that quite a lot of people got quite excited recently when Steve Keen suggested that he, I, and maybe Danny Blanchflower, plus others, should do some public meetings together.
For me, this week's event with Faiza Shaheen was, in a very small way, the equivalent of the pub gigs that comedians do before they go on tour to test out their material. Were public meetings of this sort both a good idea and a good use of my time? These were the questions I posed for myself.
There were some obvious reasons why the meeting worked. A reasonable crowd was attracted. They seemed to enjoy it, and so did Faiza and I. The feedback was good. I was pleased to help Faiza's campaign. All those reactions were really positive.
That said, I felt quite tired all day yesterday as a result of leaving for London at around 5 o'clock on Monday after what was already a long day's work and then grabbing a takeaway before doing the talk before getting home, not much before 11. Such is my current work regime, which usually starts at around six in the morning, that this was an abnormally late night for me.
In practice, I do not think that my productivity was much impaired yesterday as a result. I managed to get quite a lot done on our videos and the work I'm doing for Accounting Streams and the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency. That said, I am aware that if I were to take on many meetings of this sort at present, that would either seriously upset my work routine or require some major changes in it, which are not possible, at least at present. I am finite, and do also like the odd break from work. I can, therefore, foresee problems arising.
In that case, I wondered whether live-streamed, internet-based meetings might be an alternative way to reach out to those who are interested in the work that I am doing.
The set-up costs in terms of both time and money for such meetings would almost certainly be lower than that required for face-to-face meetings, which is an advantage.
At the same time, I am well aware that these arrangements require careful setup and control. There is a real advantage to having a host who does least know something about the subject being discussed. There is also a need for some moderators, with those people having the job of weeding out the online trolls who almost inevitably seek to crash these events.
Precisely because YouTube is harder to control than other platforms, I doubt that I would use it for such events, but there are alternatives like Streamyard.
The format is, almost invariably, that the chair introduces the live stream and poses some initial questions to the main participant, who would be me. Then, either the host or the moderators would choose questions to be answered. These are not put verbally but are instead asked via a chat box, and follow-ups would also have to be entered in that way. That way, interaction can be achieved, albeit not as easily as in a meeting, but the result is that a dialogue can be created that I hope might be interesting.
I am not, as yet, thinking of meetings with guests, but that could follow if the initial format worked.
As with the public meetings, I am not promising anything here as yet. I am simply doing some initial research to see if this idea might have a broader appeal than doing public meetings, not least because a regular following for these events could be created if they took place, say, every fortnight. They would most likely be at 7 pm on a weeknight to allow those who work the chance to have a meal before settling down for the evening.
If you have a moment, could you answer the following questions about this? These are grouped so that problems with multiple answers can be avoided. Thank you in anticipation. And I stress that if these meetings did happen, they would be published on YouTube after the event for those who missed them.
Would you be interested in live-streamed discussion meetings?
- Yes (59%, 165 Votes)
- Not sure, but I might try one (37%, 103 Votes)
- Definitely not (5%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 281
Loading ...What format would you like such meetings to take?
- A mix of these (71%, 201 Votes)
- Me, interviewing other people and having a discussion (16%, 45 Votes)
- Me, introduced by a chair around a theme and then Q&A (11%, 31 Votes)
- Me, talking ny myself, mainly to answer questions (2%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 284
Loading ...How long should such meetings be?
- An hour (59%, 166 Votes)
- Less than an hour (27%, 76 Votes)
- 90 minutes (14%, 41 Votes)
Total Voters: 283
Loading ...How often should such meetings be?
- Monthly (35%, 100 Votes)
- Occasionally, when possible, so long as pre-advertised (32%, 93 Votes)
- Fortnightly (25%, 71 Votes)
- Weekly (8%, 24 Votes)
Total Voters: 288
Loading ...Do you have any preferemnce for the time of these meetings?
- Weekend (0%, 0 Votes)
- Weeknight (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 0
Loading ...Thanks for reading this post.
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The obvious thing would be for you to have your own economics TV programme. Getting that would be a test for British democracy!
As someone with a scientific background, I think the only way to find out what works, and what does not, is to try it (more than once).
Yes….but before we even try – with the costs involved – it’s with finding out if there is interest
I vote for live streaming as not everyone can come to London as your following is to some degree international.
This would be no different than a USA televised townhall meeting.
If you stream it, people can watch when they want to watch.
If people want to meet you personally, I am one of them, then do a yearly or bi-yearly meet & greet social.
I would sell swag, coffee mugs & tee-shirts, as a fundraiser to defer cost of the blog & YouTube channel at the meet & greet social.
Noted
Merch? I really can’t see that happening?
Can anyone else?
Hi Richard, worth going to http://www.findingmoneyfilm.com if you are not already aware. This supports and would enhance all your messages; needs anglicising though . I have a copy of the film, there is no copywrite stated so happy to provide a relevant link if required. This group are looking for likeminded, open minded people to help their country; we need to leverage their efforts to help ours.
Thanks
I will share
In a perfect world you would be doing 6 nights a week in halls up and down the country and creating a mass movement of people that would stand up to the nonsense that currently masquerades as Political Economy…. but we know that is never going to happen. The odd live gig might make sense but it can never be a regular thing (given your other work).
So, “online gigs”?
In my view, (although I prefer the transcripts) your current videos speaking to camera deliver the message well and they are accessible. An online meeting only offers the possibility of audience participation and, online, this is at best, clunky. Besides, audience questions are often more about “looking clever” than genuine enquiry and tend to be a turn-off for most listeners/watchers. In my experience, the value of the (real life) audience does not come in the Q&A but in the coffee breaks as you make contacts and people engage in unstructured discussion. It’s where you (as speaker) can listen and find out what folk are really thinking… and it can never happen online.
So, no, don’t do it.
Interesting perspective
And, no I am not the person to spend every night on the road. I can’t do that.
I guess in the end it comes down to which is the more important… people getting to see you Richard or people getting to hear the message.
I would imagine that this is very conflicting for you and, I would suspect, will engage you heavily when you consider succession planning.
Not an easy one to reconcile unless maybe you mentor someone younger to be a professional presenter,if you will, for Funding the Future.
I haven’t got there yet!
I strongly suspect this channel will die with me.
That would be the greatest of tragedies Richard. A way must be found to keep the momentum going.
I plan to be around for a very long time as yet.
Recently I’ve been helping to facilitate people’s forums for Andrew Feinstein and Jeremy Corbyn. This might be another option – you present the background to theme and get people to discuss it. Which is where some real education might happen. I can put you in touch with some people if you want to know more.
Noted
As I am a speed reader I find to read it much more convenient and quicker to read your blogs so please keep them going.
There is no plan at all to stop the blogs
T’was a wet night in Glasgow (year of our Lord – 2019), when I trudged the streets of Kinning Park to witness Richard Murphy present ‘A Green New Deal for Scotland’ at the CS Forum.
You made a compelling arguement for MMT that night, but the subsequent Q & A was tedious in the extreme, as speakers vied to publicise their own left-wing credentials. I’d have left early had I not been determined to thank you for this Blog.
Btw, to this day, I still remember the size of your suitcase (enormous)… which is a second reason NOT to take your show on the road!
I travel IT heavy, especially back then.
And thank you for your kind comments.
You need to find a sponsor who will get behind you and Steve on a pro bono basis. This is too important to try and string together with some ad hoc arrangement. There’s a lot riding at stake here. There are a whole lot of very important and wise thinkers out there and we need to harness them into a strong cohesive team, led by prominent progressive politicians who can focus the media onto this important alternative, post neoliberal agenda.
My fear is that your frustration will boil over and undo all that you have achieved in this vital alternative approach. It needs careful, professional guidance from people who are passionate but also great communicators, well aware of how to best use the media at our disposal. I say this with deep conviction and best hopes for the future.
My frustration?
I wasn’t aware I was ever suffering that.
But I will muse on what you say.
Perhaps I used the wrong word – maybe exasperation?
Given your opening sentence, I sincerely hope you would be able to get Steve and Danny involved too.
“… Steve Keen suggested that he, I, and maybe Danny Blanchflower, plus others, should do some public meetings together”
… I’m thinking online
And I’m thinking there is substantial value in a group of people (of integrity) agreeing on a set of ideas … it’s not just Richard Murphy (pace) who thinks this.
There is the difficulty of choreographing discussions but you would sort that out.
I have no idea what you are trying to say.
Richard,
You have a classic small business problem .
If you want to maintain control you need to attract capital which is interested in investing in you; but there can be issues with this.
A charitable foundation controlled by you and carefully selected trustees is an alternative.
But there are limits to what you as an individual can do.
You should take professional advice.
I have to disagree Roger.
This site could nit ge run as it is as a charity.
And I would give up in weeks if I had to report to a board of trustees or submit to the editorial control they would desire.
The blog would also lose all spontaneity.
I am not even sure what I need capital for. My constraint is time, and my dislike of travelling now.
So, I have a very different perspective
Richard,
however you decide, please keep as concise, easy to understand, straightforward, yet unwavering as in your short YT clips. Steve Keen surely is very knowledgeable and probably has good intentions but to me his streams are rather chaotic and incoherent. Even for people interested in the topic to begin with.
If anything, I would ask you to consider widening your scope beyond just Great Britain.
Even if you won’t, please know that your efforts are very much appreciated beyond GB and, as in my case, even English speaking countries because mostly they are relatable on a universal level.
Rob
I have done Steve’s show and will be doing so again on 19/10 but it is, I think, overly long and sometimes lacking focus.
Similarly, his mails are good but rely heavily on Ravel charts, and they are not easy to follow, even when I a, very fluent in double entry.
So I take your point.
And I note the point re outside the UK.
Richard
My sense is that your work has 2 distinct parts albeit completely connected. The first is the relatively narrow focus on economics and the MMT view. This in itself is a huge piece of work and although narrow in focus is in my opinion the doorway to the second part which is the much broader social perspective. This is in turn an area requiring work levels several orders greater than the first.
Your alternative PM address set out this view very clearly but also presents a bit of a problem in how you pursue such a broad agenda. Teaming up with other like-minded souls is a great first step and it would perhaps help all of you out to consider each of your attributes in terms of your personal reach, relative expertise and preferences to spread the load of a more strategised approach to growing an audience for this economic change.
My suggestion is that the focus of the online sessions should be on the economic argument set in the context of the broader social benefit that could be unlocked as a result of accepting MMT. This could be divided between you in a number of ways which I’d sure you can imagine.
Apologies if ‘sucking eggs’ come to mind but if we are talking about a national /international campaign then the basics need to be well thought out.
Much to muse on
What about a podcast with you/ Danny/ Steve? I’d subscribe.
Listen to me and Steve on 19/10 at 18.00
Paul Hurley.
I was at the meeting at South Woodford,
on Monday 30th, and I would nt have mist it for anything.
In my case doing it on line would nt work, as, I find modern
technology difficult and impersonal.
I have joined Faiza s campaign, I think the work you
do is most benefial for positive change.
Thanks, Paul