Locker Partner has taken a lot of shots for the way we wholeheartedly embrace the word “disruptive.” We’re only acknowledging that clinging to the established way of doing things- even when it’s obvious that change is inevitable- is a foolhardy strategy. in a fascinating essay, Tom Foremski articulates our philosophy: If you are a disruptor company such as Google or Cragslist then you are fine. Your business model works, your costs of doing business are low enough that you can carve out good profits from your revenues. But if you are in the path of a disruptive technology then you are toast. Which side of the equation do you want to be on?

The Locker Partner staff immediately saw the enormous implications of the video component of the new iPhone. Here’s a brief test we conducted last week. The phone enables users to film, edit and upload video directly from the device. As this story notes, the phones have already had an enormous impact. YouTube reports that “mobile uploads have increased 400% a day since iPhone 3GS arrived last Friday.” In addition to being ridiculously fun, this development means that there are now three million new mobile reporters in the field.

Have you tried to buy a tube of toothpaste lately? The variety of options is staggering. Sorting through the different price points, flavors, sizes and gimmicks can take a careful consumer several minutes. A new study suggests that businesses err when they offer a massive selection of similar products. Many people simply become overwhelmed and end up purchasing nothing. Choice is good; too many choices is bad.

Have you noticed all the green at your favorite social media sites? As noted at Locker Partner three weeks ago, the internet has played a crucial role in the controversial Iranian election. Opponents of the establishment used tools including Twitter and Facebook to rally support to their cause. Now that they’re contesting the results of the election, protesters are using those same sites to organize protests. Outside of Iran’s borders, thousands of sympathetic internet denizens are showing their support by overlaying their avatars with green and by changing their time zone and location settings in attempt to confuse Iranian authorities. The potential revolution may not be televised in Iran, but it’s a vital force online.

A Locker Partner staff member spends thirty minutes a week in an isolated corner of a shopping center. He usually sees the elderly proprietor of an old-school barber shop sitting dejectedly in a chair as he hopes for a walk-in customer. The sad scene will soon be a thing of the past. Savvy business owners have realized that they can drum up business on demand with tools like Twitter and Facebook. The barber doesn’t know what he’s missing.

The Locker Partner staff is passionate about sports. We also love our work. That’s why we became doubly excited while watching the college baseball World Series on ESPN over the weekend. The Twitter feed of correspondent Kyle Peterson played a prominent role in the sports network’s coverage. Fan interaction was encouraged. They offer this tantalizing “disclaimer”: If you send us a tweet, you consent to letting ESPN showcase it in any media, possibly even on TV. Every sports fan we know would be all about that.

The music industry is in shambles. Music is free. Musicians can’t earn a living selling recordings. That’s the conventional wisdom anyway. But is it true? Not according to “internet musician” Jack Conte. He’s thriving in the new environment. “I’m making my living selling my MP3s. That wasn’t possible ten years ago. The infrastructure wasn’t in place,” he asserts in this new profile. “I communicate with people through Twitter and MySpace. What I’m doing now probably wouldn’t be possible then. I’d be touring, trying to make a living. Now I can make music.” Conte’s creativity can serve as inspiration to everyone seeking to adapt to a constantly changing climate.

Many early adopters of Twitter are undoubtedly horrified that the arbiter of all things mainstream, Time magazine, has published a cover story about the social networking site.   Let them complain that Twitter is no longer cool.  The rest of us know that it’s an invaluable means of communication and an excellent barometer of public sentiment.  Sure, there are always cooler things around the corner.  And it’s entirely possible that some will be even bigger and better than Twitter. Until then, Tweet away.

A Locker Partner staffer vividly remembers when his mother and sisters would carefully monitor Katie Couric’s morning show on television as they prepared for work and school.  That era is quickly ending.  Popular services including TiVo, YouTube and Hulu have already changed the way millions consume content. And today CBS News was added to Ustream’s menu of live streaming video. Finally, the primary products of all four major networks are legally available online.

It’s easy to mock social media sites.  They enable a great deal of inane chatter about pets, gardening and shopping tips.  But there’s a more sober, deadly serious side as well. This Reuters report offers details about the nation of Iran blocking Facebook. Candidates in the June 12 elections were using the site to solicit support. The news serves as a reminder of the immense power of social media. And it’s just beginning.