NEW ORLEANS – Only the second day of the convention and already attendees have taken to the culture of New Orleans; its music, its food, its drink—
Good morning #AAN2011! My, aren’t you all a little… Red-eyed today. Long night?less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone 
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Gambit
The_Gambit
The night of reverie caused technical difficulties for some:
Serious shortage of electrical outlets for those of us who passed out before we thought about plugging in our laptops last night. #aan2011less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Reply
RachaelDaigle
RachaelDaigle
Nevertheless, many gathered to hear The Pew Research Center’s Tom Rosenstiel State of the News Media speech. In it, he explained the new functions of journalists; no longer merely gatekeepers, but also sense-makers and “forum organizers” for their community.
Creating knowledge in our communities that is otherwise missing is the mission statement for us from pew #aan2011less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
Amy Austin
aaustin
Some of his comments, especially in reference to Twitter and Google, made room for discussion:
.@AltWeeklies Rosenstiel mostly on point, esp about comm bldg, roles (don’t think we’re competing w Google tho) #aan2011less than a minute ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry Favorite Retweet Reply
David Forbes
DavidForbes
Social media was another topic of discussion, from the best practices for journalists on Facebook and Twitter, to mobile apps. Some found it exhausting:
So now I need a “journalist” page on Facebook? Will the social media madness never end?! Sigh … #AAN2011less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPad Favorite Retweet Reply
Jimmy Boegle
jboegle
Like social media, other sessions seemed to hit close to home, like the Poynter Institute’s Ellyn Angelotti presentation on learning from failure:
It’s okay to fail…as long as it was a good, full-faith effort. This #aan2011 failure panel reminds me of my Little League career.less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Reply
Tyler Machado
TylerMachado
And finally, the results of the 2011 Altweekly Awards were announced today. The ceremony definitely had some, highlights, so to speak:
Best moment of the #AAN2011 awards? Presenter from Paris via-video does a bong hit on-screen after awarding … wait for it… a pot story.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply
Steve Dorsey
dorsey
Then, of course, there was the Night of Divine Deviance at the Republic. People seemed to enjoy it #understatement.
Tonight, #aan2011 treats attendees to a burlesque show. This would not happen in Vermont. Neither would alcohol-to-go in a plastic cup!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply
Pamela Polston
pamela7d
“I don’t know about you, but I need a blessing!!” The gospel choir is at The Republic is _amazing_ #AAN2011less than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet Reply
Robert Hernandez
webjournalist
Stooges Brass Band is killing it so hard that I forgot about the other band called the Stooges #aan2011less than a minute ago via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyTyler Machado
TylerMachado
Hey @tiffanyshack, will AAN2012 have burlesque and be held at a Ritz? No, really. Bravo. #AAN2011less than a minute ago via Tweetbot for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply
Andrew Pergam
pergam
For convention updates, follow the #AAN2011 hashtag on Twitter and track us on coveritlive.com.
