Live From Austin: Notes from South by Southwest(i) Conference...

By Nick Aster - March 14, 2005

by Nick Aster for SiliconValleyWatcher

sxsw.jpgIn case you were thinking SXSW was just a bunch of hung-over bloggers sitting around in clumps on the convention center floor frantically tapping away on their laptops... well, you're right; but we've managed to have some real live conversation along the way.

The biggest topic: Journalists vs. Bloggers. This is appropriate, considering that I'm posting this on a reputable site, between two experienced and decorated journalists, and crossing my fingers.

Dan Gillmor gave a talk on grassroots journalism, proclaiming all bloggers journalists. Of course yesterday's Apple ruling may temporarily set that back. Ana Marie Cox, of Wonkette, takes a more cautious approach, saying "blogs are a healthy part of a media diet," but will never replace mainstream media. Why be so cautious?


The second recurring theme --"Just How Important Are Blogs Anyway?"-- suggests that blogs are either the ascendant savior of the universe, or the over-hyped ramblings of a bunch of.. er.. bloggers. Of course, the truth is somewhere in between.

Despite her earlier caution on the same theme, Ana Marie Cox also said, "Why not bloggers? They're certainly more entertaining than Maureen Dowd. The definition of journalist is independent of the medium."

Credentials aside, what makes a useful weblog? A successful weblog needs to be a piece of communication, not just a source of information. It's like hosting a cocktail party: you set things up, guide the conversation a bit, and let it evolve. In the case of Silicon Valley Watcher, call it a mealworm party.

Funniest moment - Dave Galbraith's expose on the word "buffalo" --apparently the most versatile word in the English language. The following sentence is actually valid and insightful: Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo. You'll have to buffalo Dave for the explanation. Considering Dave was up against Al Franken in the other room, it was a stellar comedic triumph.

Deepest Moment - Daniel Pink gave a talk on the emerging dominance of the "right brain." The global implications: in a world of abundance, and automation, and cheap Asian labor, it's the empathic, artistic, "high-touch vs. high-tech" skills and instincts that will win. Example: GM is not a car company, it's an art company that creates mobile sculpture that just happens be useful for transportation.

Other highlights - Malcolm Gladwell, who breaks new ground in his new book for fear of having "The Tipping Point Guy" written on his tombstone, was the biggest keynote draw. His pressing point: sometimes less information can lead to better decision making than more. That's worth thinking about.

My alma matter, Gawker Media, is proud to have walked off with 4 bloggies, including Gizmodo's taking of "best tech blog," a personal victory over rival gadget-blog, Engadget.

But if there is one message that I heard which I appreciated most, it is that sometimes you have to look beyond technology. I've spent the whole weekend working in "safe mode" because my video drivers went kaput. Maddened. My antidote? Inject a meme into the blogosphere suggesting people drop their laptops for 30 minutes to look at bats. Austin's greatest non-tech show. I'm off to the park. Feel free to come along.
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By Nick Aster - March 14, 2005 | Permalink | Category:
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