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SxSWi 2008 was awesome (aka: pimping)

SXSW Interactive Festival 2008 was super, as always.  While the quality of panel content wasn't as consistent as I would've hoped, the people, events and general camaraderie  were outstanding.  As were the beer, wine, Nuclear Tacos and the 400 times we ate at Iron Cactus.  Also as were (if that even makes sense), the awesome fuzzy pimp hats and bling we indulged in for Ed Schipul's 'Pimp My NonProfit' panel.

I live blogged several panels and updated them this evening with photos, better descriptions and general grammatical edits so as not to appear a complete lame-o poster.  Specifically:

1.  Weird Turn Pro panel with Derek Powazek
2.  Henry Jenkins opening remarks
3. High-Tech Craft session moderated by Natalie Zee Drieu

Feel like you missed out?  Some ideas on getting your SXSWi 2008 fix: Flickr, Technorati,  re-visit Meebo chats or check out Pulse SXSW for video clips.

To all of the friendly new faces I came in contact with, you really made this a special weekend.  Thanks for the giggles, jokes, advice and brilliant ideas - I'm constantly inspired by every single one of you.

Find the above SXSWi 2008 mosaic in my Flickr stream here - also thanks to CC loving Flickr photogs techslut and wangjy!

High Tech Craftiness at SXSWi 2008

They blinded me with crafty geeky science!  A group of lady crafter fanatics chatted online technology and the role it plays in the ever-growing DIY community at SXSWi 2008.

I've heard various review on the panel, but it's funky and inquisitive nature really hit home with me.  Panelists brought in objects they've been working and a lots of super how-to resources for DIY/crafty typs everywhere.

Natalie Zee Drieu  Senior Editor,  CRAFT Magazine
Syuzi Pakhchyan SparkLab
Alison Lewis  Producer,  IHeartSwitch
Mouna Andraos Electronic Crafts
Diana Eng  Fashion Designer,  Diana Eng

Read on for cool projects the panelists brought to share and other awesome goodness.  Photo thanks to Natalie Zee's Flickr stream

Henry Jenkins chats participatory culture at SXSWi 2008

Before we go any further, I want you to take a second to click on the mindmap above.  Read it.  Love it.  Soak in the graphical sexiness and take a nice deep breath as you think about how bizarre your life would be if someone followed you around drawing every conversation you had.   

The mindmapping visual was created on the spot by Susan Bright at Henry Jenkins' and  Steven Johnson's opening remarks at SXSWi 2008.  It makes me very, very happy.  But I digress...

Henry Jenkins (MIT professor and one of the most articulate speakers ever) participated in an opening remark session with Steven Johnson (prolific author and founder of outside.in) discussing everything from collective intelligence to Harry Potter fan content creation to the plight of the 'pink collar worker'.

I have a few notes (read the full post), but honestly spent the majority of the discussion geeking out versus typing out.   It was super - you can read Henry's post on it or search Technorati for further details.

'Weird Turn Pro' Derek Powazek at SXSWi 2008

Derek Powazek (of Fray, Pixish and formerly JPEG mag) spoke at SXSWi 2008 on crowdsourcing and community building.  He's one of my favorite bloggers and speakers, as he consistently has some pretty amazing *actionable* thoughts and ideas on community interaction, cool shiznit and the world in general. 

I dig laidback modest brilliance, I really do.

The 'Weird Turn Pro' panel was a discussion of Average Joes moving up the content creation and community food chain via online tools and virtual congregational / collaborative spaces. 

Also, if you read my Blog, which you obviously do because you are in fact reading the words I am implanting into your retinas right now mwahaha, you'll get the Hunter S. Thompson reference ('When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro') and see yet another reason why I heart Derek's brain. 

Beyond the snappy panel title, it made me rather gleeful hearing Derek loosely reference his own personal 3 motivations of people - quite reminiscent of Ed Schipul's ongoing labor of love:  The 3 Motivations of People:  Material, Social and Ideological.  Simple framework for a really powerful look into promoting community participation and engagement.

Read on for my complete notes (all in bulleted live-blogging crazy form) of Derek's great SXSW panel. 
Derek photo thanks to Flickr user Norby