What is the future of stories?

As news becomes increasingly real time, are articles antiquated and an age of the dead-tree era? News organizations have struggled to create a story format that is native to the real-time full-context nature of the Web.

Join Hacks/Hackers NYC at New Work CIty on July 20, when Trei Brundrett of SB Nation (http://www.sbnation.com/) and Gideon Lichfield (http://www.twitter.com/glichfield) of The Economist (http://www.economist.com/) discuss the future of stories.

A few years ago, The New York Times and Washington Post participated in Google's experiment with Living Stories (http://livingstories.googlelabs.com/), but that was more about changing the interface of existing stories, rather than rethinking the editorial process itself.

Starting with first principles, SB Nation, a sports site, redesigned their news around the concept of StoryStreams (http://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/5/6/2157004/nfl-lockout-2011-distrust-deepening-roger-goodell-demaurice-smith-roger-goondell), which breaks news down into continuing stories, rather than disparate articles, with major and minor updates. By rethinking stories this way, it allow readers to follow story updates across multiple platforms including its website, on Facebook and within its upcoming iPhone app. Brundrett will share SB Nation's lessons so far when it comes to applying what they've discovered so far to what's needed beyond its sports newsroom.

The Economist's Gideon Lichfield will speak on what might replace the story as the basic unit of news. He will argue that the story as we know it is a by-product of pre-internet technology and business models, and that we need to devise a new container for the news — something that combines real-time reporting and curation with customizable in-depth context.

RSVP today (http://meetupnyc.hackshackers.com/events/25021511/) ($10, payable in advance) to attend the meetup — this will help cover food and drinks. If the $10 fee is beyond your budget, please email nyc[at]hackshackers[dot]com and we'll work things out with you.

Schedule:
6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Doors and dinner

7 p.m.: Presentation and Q&A

~8:15 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Networking and socializing

Do you have a livestream setup? (Videocamera, lav mic, laptop) Let us know! We'd love to livestream the presentation and need your help.

If you'd like to volunteer to photograph or blog the presentation, email us at nyc[at]hackshackers[dot]com.

Have an idea for future Hacks/Hackers topics, speakers and events that meet the at the intersection journalism, technology and innovation? Let us know at http://j.mp/hhnycInput .

We hope to see you July 20!

--Chrys, Jenny & Al
Co-organizers, Hacks/Hackers NYC

About the Host: NWCUThis event is part of NWCU (http://u.nwc.co/uhacks), community-powered learning driven entirely by member participation. NWCU is a curated collection of classes, workshops, Meetup groups, and hackathons, all sharing one core common goal: help existing and aspiring independents build, learn, and share with one another, so more people can lead better, happier lives working for themselves.

NWCU is made possible by amazing supporters of independents and innovation: Google (http://u.nwc.co/ghacks), BlackBerry (http://meetupnyc.hackshackers.com/events/%201Dhttp:/u.nwc.co/bbhacks%201C) & New Work City (http://u.nwc.co/nwchacks).

About New Work CityNew Work City is a coworking space and community center for independents in Manhattan. We gather in a cozy shared environment to work, collaborate, learn, and socialize. All you need is some work to do and a friendly disposition!