Category: Tech

For the first time in 15 years – if not ever – I made the honor roll! South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) has published a list of the best sessions from 2006, according to the participants. The panel I was on, “Election 2008: Revenge of the Blogs” scored a 4.32 out of 5.

Continue reading “Honor roll” →

One of the several SXSW “parties” that I attended on Sunday was hosted by folks working for former Virginia Governor Mark Warner. He’s been making presidential noises, and he has a John-Edwards-like ability to talk about his Christian family values, etc, etc. Personally, I don’t have any reason to favor him over Edwards in ’08, but that’s a long way away.

Anyway, in the above picture from that event I am hanging out with Joi Ito, Halley Suit, and Doc Searls. Doc is an old old friend from when we lived in a little hippy community outside of Chapel Hill in the 70’s. In those days, he was called “Doctor Dave” and was known for his clever quips, some of which mimeographed and posted on everyone’s fridges.

What would make someone wear a foot-wide nametag? Chris Pirillo is one who does not have to prove his prominence online or his geekitude. What gives?

(Photo by Doc.)

Today’s SXSW panel “Revenge of the Blogs” – organized by Henry Copeland and featuring me, Markos Moulitsas, and Mike Krempasky – turned out very well. We struck a good balance between talking about the influence of local and national blogs, and some people even began to draw a connection between the two. Judging by the people who came up to talk with me afterward, I think I must have said some interesting and useful things.

I used the issue of red light cameras in Chapel Hill (thanks, Will) to illustrate how Orange Politics has had concrete impact. I also referenced an insightful comment from an earlier conversation with the Independent‘s Kirk Ross to talk about what happens when journalists start blogging. It’s a new challenge for them to suddenly put themselves in the story which they’ve been trained and ingrained not to do as reporters.

One audience member asked Markos what he was doing to help his readers who might live near each other to find each other. He wasn’t very interested in this very good idea, which is disappointing especially considering the great number of free tools which can do exactly this. I think the panel might have been better attended if Markos’ presence had been advertised better (see below) but maybe that’s for the best.

There were lots of good ideas discussed during and after the session and I just have to thank Henry Copeland again for inviting me. I hope it’s not my last trip to SXSW. And now, on to the parties….