SXSW Interactive 2012

 

Boy, isn't that the truth.  MEEPS, app for meeting people with shared interests.




Super big digital display downtown by Nike.

SXSW Interactive is five days of fun, learning and people watching in downtown Austin, Texas. I hadn't been in ages (like since interactive was first invented and the halls were empty) and it was a thrill to be there again and marvel of the vastness of it all. 

Here goes my links and highlights in no particular order:

• Turf n Surf Po Boy - that trailer on Congress that's been there forever. 2 lunches of heavenly blackened tuna tacos.
• 3D printing by Makerbot - all the blue Totoros you want for $2,000
• Holy Grounds coffee shop at St. Davids - Dang it why didn't I know about this place when I worked downtown? So adorable.
• Japanese Interactive Art scene: Tiny Riot (iPhone app) [WARNING: SOUND]. Will have to dig deeper for some more links..
• European Tech Art scene: Panel overview with video samples. Also, Dutch Electronic Arts Festival
• Jen Simmons, The Web Ahead - New podcast to check out
• The Secret Lives of the Brain - great panel, check out his book
• The New Aesthetic: Seeing like digital devices - most intellectual, heady, best panel. With Russell Davies, James Bridle, Ben, and Aaron.
• Jess3, data visualization company
• Visual.ly, more data visualization

 As a public service announcement, I feel I should mention the 1 hour and 40 minute line I stood in Friday to get my badge. Also the droid app didn't work at all, forcing me to inefficiently flip through their big catalog. I guess next year I'll bring a 3 ring binder, highlighter and tab dividers to sort through the multitude of panels.

Still, you should go to a conference for whatever field you work in. Money spent on time with your peers and opening your mind, is money well spent.