Kimberly Blessing is a computer scientist, a Web developer, a standards evangelist, a feminist, and a geek. This is where she writes 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!