Hi, my name is Kimberly Blessing. I'm a computer scientist, Web developer, standards evangelist, feminist, and geek. This is where I write about life, the Web, technology, women's issues, and whatever else comes to mind.
Best SXSW Panel EVER!
I’ll have more to say about other aspects of SXSW later, but I wanted to say that the Non-Developers to Open Source Acolytes: Tell Me Why I Care panel was the best panel I’ve ever been to at SXSW. The audience was diverse (about 50/50!) and engaged, and we had a discussion that even enlightened me about something I thought I knew quite a bit about.
Thank you, Elisa Camahort, for organizing such an interesting and engaging panel. Now I really want to attend BlogHer because I’m sure you organize a kick-ass conference.
It was also really wonderful to hear from Annalee Newitz (co-editor of the very awesome She’s Such a Geek), Dawn Foster, and my friend Erica Rios. Erica made poignant references to women’s involvement in creating technology and to the opportunities available to women via open source, which received a round of applause. Needless to say, that discussion needs to be continued.
Note to Hugh Forrest: Bring back Elisa as a moderator — or maybe as a keynote?! — and bring back these panelists to continue a discussion that brought everyone to the table!
Comments (4)
Thanks so much Kimberly! I was thrilled to meet you, since I only recently got to know you via your posts on conference diversity. Your kind words are most appreciated.
Definitely go to BlogHer. I really enjoyed myself last year even though I felt a bit out of place as an educator instead of an industry person or Blogger (capital B). Still, being around so many smart, tech savvy women at once is a blast.
P.S. Wish I was at SXSW this year.
Yes – that was definitely a panel done the BlogHer way, with lots of prep, structured, with audience participation, and strongly moderated. Improvisation within a good structure is great!