I’ve had the opportunity to watch Mike Butcher in action today, during Day 1 of the China 2.0 Tour. I’m always impressed by the discipline of professional bloggers and I hope to learn from my fellow participants on this trip. Even more importantly, I want to know what gear they use!
1. Please introduce yourself in a few brief sentences. Who are you, what do you do, and what are you passionate about?
Mike: As a professional journalist, editor and blogger I have been covering the Internet industry formally since 1996. How I have done that has changed from print magazines and newspapers, to web sites and today encompasses social media outlets for content like Twitter and YouTube. During all that time I’ve been passionate about pushing the envelope of what online can do, as well as fascinated by the people that are creating this brave new world.
- You can read more about Mike at: http://uk.techcrunch.com/about
- Mike’s personal blog is at: http://mbites.com
2. Why did you decide to join the China 2.0 Tour?
Mike: It seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only learn more about what China’s role will be in this new “digital industrial revolution” but also to meet with many bloggers and commentators I admire.
3. Why is TechCrunch UK interested?
Mike: It’s clear we’re living in a globalized world now and the UK and European tech companies I talk to on a daily basis are as interested in the emerging superpower that is China as much as anyone else on the planet is. If I can help forge some ties between the UK and Chinese tech companies that will be a good goal for my trip.
4. Why are you personally interested?
Mike: Well, who can fail to be interested in what is happening in China at the moment. Apart from anything else this is a richly diverse country with an ancient history and rapidly modernizing society. To witness that at first hand would be a privilege for anyone.
5. What do you hope to learn?
Mike: I hope to learn more about how tech startups operate and get going in China and about what innovations they are coming up with.
6. What people are you most interested in meeting with?
Mike: I guess I’d like to get under the skin of the entrepreneurs I meet there and contrast them with European and US people I meet in the same vein. Things I’d like to find out about the scene [in China] is how “Chinese” it is or whether Chinese internet companies plan to expand beyond their home base.
Looking forward to the rest of the week. For more incriminating photos of Mike, follow my Flickr photostream!
Elliott, thank you for sharing this! It’s always great to learn from other bloggers, and I am looking forward to future entries. Chris