The 2morrowknight

This is the latest post in our series, TwitterPowerhouses, which focuses on the contributions of people who’ve helped to expand, influence, and redefine how we view social networking. It was co-written by Amy Neumann and Mark Horvath. It was also cross-posted in the Huffington Post Technology Section.

No matter who you are, or where you are from, every member of humanity is inspired by the extraordinary stories of ordinary people in social media. Great stories re-awaken and rejuvenate us, and are retold, re-imagined, re-invented, and, retweeted. Who among us isn’t impressed by the tech insights of Jazz Baker and Kathy Meyer; the global adventures of Paul Steele and JD Andrews; and the goodwill of Lotay Yang and Ryan Hodgson? They tell their stories: passionately and consistently. As Madeline Ostrander keenly observes:

There is strength that comes from knowing one another’s stories. Personal stories remind us that others face the same difficulties and vulnerabilities we do. We discover our own power when we realize we aren’t alone and recognize humanity all around us.

Jeff Pulver, one of the most accomplished social figures of our time, is a master in this space. He brilliantly uses technology to “connect” all areas of the globe, so it’s easy to see why his 140 Conference, which launched in 2009, has become an institution and a must-attend global event. Everyone it seems has a seat at the table, and is drawn to the speakers who come to share their thoughts. When you present the storied history of social media, its important to “honor the source”, meaning you highlight the industry trailblazers behind decades of groundbreaking concepts. The men and women who laid the foundation. But, you also give voice to a new generation of leaders advancing the conversation, and elevating the medium. Connecting those dots is the genius of Jeff Pulver.

All of the writers on this post have met Pulver. We believe there is something impressive about an accomplished visionary who remains humble, and works vigilantly to keep the social media door of opportunity wide open for others. So we were excited when he agreed to an interview. His own story of innovation, entrepreneurship and philanthropy is impressive by any standard. He believes in the old saying: “You don’t shine by putting out someone else’s light.” This is why he remains both successful and relevant.

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Pulver

As a co-founder of Vonage back in 2001, you have an eye for the future of technology. What trends are you spotting from meeting all the social media “characters” at your 140 Conferences?

I helped pioneer the VoIP industry back with work I did starting in 1995, the founding of the VON Coalition in 1996, the launch of the VON conference in 1997 and the passing of the Pulver Order in 2004. My work with VoIP continues to this day. Vonage came out of another company I started back in 1998. You could say that I have been exploring the future edge of technology for awhile. The one trend which is consistent is the return and rise of humanity. A mega trend which will become more obvious in the months and years ahead.

Your 140 Character conferences are hugely popular, #140conf on Twitter, where you bring in “characters” for 10-minute sessions on a wide range of social media-related topics. You feature many social good panelists. What types of social good do you find yourself most drawn to?

It should be noted that #140conf is not a conference about Twitter. It is a conference which explores “The State of NOW” and the effects the real-time web is having on both business and on individuals. #140conf is just the hashtag that we use to promote the conference and the underlying conversations amongst our worldwide community. In terms of social good, I find myself drawn to the people who are discovering their new found ability to bring about positive change by leveraging the social web and their voice or passion. Whether it is building schools in third world countries, raising money for those affected by natural disasters, sharing love with those who need it the most, or sharing my voice to help raise awareness of something which needs attention, as long as it something positive and good, I am happy to help. I look for those people whose passion you can feel and whose track record shows that they know how to take an idea and a vision and morph it into something with meaningful results.

At the Los Angeles #140conf in October last year, you introduced a brilliant singer with a guitar that you heard on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and loved. That guy, Andy Grammer, is now a wildly popular national artist. Do you have other similar stories, anyone you’d like to highlight?

Serendipity and music are continued themes at the 140 Conference. At the first Tel Aviv #140conf in December 2009, music artist Yoni Bloch shared the platform which was the basis of his new startup Interlude. It was used to create the interactive music video which S-Curve Records used to launch Andy Grammer. This video won MTV’s 2010 Interactive Video award. I make a small cameo. Back at the first #140conf in June 2009 in New York City, Diane Birch was introduced to the #140conf community and performed at the same event where Wyclef and Jim Jones spoke at. She gave a great performance.

What new social media projects are you excited about?

One of my own personal pet projects is JustCoz. It is a platform for social good, where we offer the ability for people to donate a tweet to causes which they wish to support. I also have a new stealth-mode startup which is playing in the social communications space.

How would you define yourself in 140 characters?

Entrepreneur; Disruptor; Early-Stage Seed Investor; Dad; story teller; Purple; Soulful; Photographer; DJ; Poker Player; Producer of #140conf

To find out more about Jeff Pulver’s exciting projects and future 140 Conference events, follow him on Twitter, like his Facebook page, and circle him on GooglePlus.

Authors’ Note: In case you missed it, here’s Part 23 of the series: Maz Nadjm on the Power of Twitter.

This is cross-posted in the Huffington Post Culture Section.

Art has always been an important part of civilization. It provides a road map of where we have been, shows us who we are, and gives us an idea of what’s possible. Stylistically and substantively, social media is increasingly playing a part in the work of some 21^st century artists like Gaby Zwaan.

Originally from The Netherlands, Zwaan made a huge splash at this year’s 140 Conference, which is long respected as a winning platform for both emerging talent and dynamic personalities. And he clearly made the most of his appearance. Dressed in a cool suit and sneakers, his energetic presentation and Twitter-themed art made him an instant audience favorite.

Zwaan’s work is masterful, thought-provoking, visually-stunning, and brilliantly expressive. I’m sure this is what the Tour de France organization saw when they approached him in 2010 for a project. As an arts geek, I can tell you that there are probably 140 reasons to love and appreciate the work of Gaby Zwaan. Maybe even 141. Either way, his star is on the rise.

You were the big draw at Jeff Pulver’s huge 140 Conference back in June. Everyone loved your art. What has the experience been for you since then?

I really liked being at the #140conf. It was interesting and a great way for me to show myself. Speaking on stage with Jeffrey Hayzlett was really great and painting two twitter-inspired pieces the next day topped it off. But what was the icing on the cake was the love of all the people that where there and came to talk to me. I always love it when people tell me what my work makes them feel like or what it reminds them off. After the 140 conference, I was also in New York for a meeting with a gallery. They loved my work and in early October, I will be showing in New York City. A dream come true! I also signed on with an agency that will represent me in the USA.Once home I started painting for my NYC show and got all 14 pieces done.

I can tell you love Twitter from some of your artwork. How does the site’s 140 character platform appeal to you?

Yes I do like twitter. I see it as a way to show people what I’m doing, and more important, what I’m all about. When Van Gogh, another famous Dutch painter had something to share he always wrote letters to his brother. I was in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and I saw some of those letters on the walls there. I have a vision that one day my tweets will be on a wall in a museum. I see twitter as part of my DNA. It is just as important to me as the paint I use. Could not do what I do without both.

One of Zwaan’s Twitter-inspired paintings.

Courtesy of Gaby Zwaan.

How important do you think art has been to civilization?

When I check the news every day I almost have to think there is no civilization anymore. So I hope art was not important to getting us into this mess. What I do think is that all forms of art will bring us some positive light that will get us through this mess and hopefully back to a bit more civilized world. And I can only hope that at least one person that looks at my work and has a better day then he/she would have had if my art was not there.

Who are some of the artist who have influenced, inspired, and/or shaped your artistic vision?

I have to say none actually. I only started painting in the summer of 2007 and before that I thought art was uninteresting. I never went to a museum. Well, once but that was to impress a girl (laughs). I knew some painters, mostly the Dutch masters but that was about it. Once I started painting I started to get interested in art. Somehow people always want to compare your work/style to other artists and I’ve been compared to many many but different ones all the time.

What influenced me is the way street artists think and the way they act. I like that and I think that it helped me to do just what I feel like doing. I like doing stuff with balls and that is what street artist do too. I like to take on the impossible, like showing in a amazing gallery in New York. That’s something I just went for even though some people said it was not going to happen at this point in my career. When people tell me I will not get there, it inspires me the most. I’m like an athlete, I want to win. And then once I cross the finish line, I put the bar higher again. I thrive on challenges.

For more info on Gaby Zwaan and his amazing, eclectic work, follow him on his Twitter feed and check out his personal site.