Whitney Hoffman is a social media dynamo. Her amazing LD Podcast has been helping parents and educators with issues relating to learning disabilities since June 2006 (we’ll pretend that PAB2006 had something to do with that). However, she’s probably best known as one of the driving forces behind the PodCamp community and legal counsel for the PodCamp foundation. If you ask her, though, Whitney will probably say that one of her most important contributions to her various communities is her proudly and genuinely assumed role as “Den Mother”.

Whitney has been an active member of the PAB community since PAB2007 and first spoke at PAB2008 when she delivered her dynamic workshop, Community: Why It’s the ONLY thing that matters. This year she returns to the stage with her session Disruption of Social Contracts. Her original explanation of this session went something like this:

Whether it’s people needing to learn the new unspoken rules of what’s considered polite or required online (ie leaving comments, and being more interactive than passive readers) or more traditional examples, like if Big Banks are seen as trying to screw the consumer at every turn, how morally compelled do you feel to pay your bill?  Is it easier to walk away from your home and mortgage, because it’s no longer about the story of home ownership, but instead it’s now a commodity that should be bought and sold on a whim?  Are we evaluting the importance of everything based on transactional economics?  Quid Pro Quo?

Even in theater, I saw a recent production of Hair where cast members came out and engaged with the audience, and afterwards many went up on stage and danced with the cast…but clearly this breaking of the wall between audience and performer is not always comfortable, but its something we take for granted is a norm online.

As we go through this period of social disruption, what norms will remain?  What will we agree deserves to remain a rule (like driving on the proper side of the road or not stealing from each other) and which may fall (trademark and copyright)?

We asked Ms. Hoffman to answer five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

When I had my first listener write to me, letting me know what a huge help and impact my show had for them- that made everything seem worth it/ I was no longer talking for myself but for others as well.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

By far- Terry Gross and Ira Glass. Their story telling style, the way they do interviews has been something I try to emulate- how to make a human connection with your guest makes the human connection with the audience.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

You have to ask yourself why you are doing this and why someone would want to listen. Who are you speaking to and why? That person you are trying to reach, or entertain is why we make media in the first place. Keep your audience first in your thoughts.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would find a more streamlined way to produce shows. I would find someone to work with, to keep me going when I got disappointed or lazy or short on ideas and time. Partners and community keep your energy going when your inner critic becomes a real problem.

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I’m hoping that by taking a look at the disruption of all the “rules” we take for granted, and those we intentionally ignore, we’ll think a little more about relationships, community, and also when we should actively break rules and forge a new path.