Ok, not that I really know of, but at this point it could happen as we've entered a bit of a bizarro world. :) The reaction to Robert's announcement about his leaving Microsoft has been a groundswell of feedback, blog postings, analyst comments, CNET headlines, Reuters articles etc. I knew the Scoble effect was big, but not that big. Larry Hryb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) and I were talking about it on our respective drives home last night*. He asked my thoughts on Scoble leaving and here's basically what I said:
I've known Robert for almost ten years now, going back to when he was an event and communities coordinator at Fawcette Technical Publications and I was just entering the corporate world. Scoble and I have always had a good relationship and I think the key to his success is that he's affable and a little goofy, while amazingly self-aware. He uses these traits to his advantage. Like a certain cartoon bear, he wanders around Microsoft looking for picnic baskets. Sometimes, he wanders into the wrong campground and he gets shooed away, but people like him still. He's also been amazingly adept at using his position to build his own brand, his own presence, and no one can fault him for that. It's just the nature of blogging.
This disarming charm and sense of humility paired with a strong desire to share his own perspective is what's made Scoble such a lightning rod. Am I sad to see him go? Yes. A bit perplexed? Yes. Then there's the obligatory questions about who is going to step up to replace him? I think there may be in the future others who take on his job role, but he came along during a perfect storm- one part nascent blogging concept in corporate america paired with a curiousity about what happens behind the curtain at Microsoft. Let's not forget the willingness to let the story be told by Microsoft as well (and many teeth were gnashed in the process I'm sure).
Good luck Robert and I'm looking forward to reading about your next adventure.
*Note: We were using speakerphones in our cars in true geek fashion. ;)