Noodling
One thing that is certain about the SXSW experience is the overwhelming presence of technology. One in five people is toting a laptop computer (90% of those using Apple portables) and nearly everyone has a mobile phone, iPod, PDA or some combination of all of the above. Seeing a person’s technology says a lot about them and I have to admit I had the occasion to peek over an occasional shoulder to spy an open window here and there.
On one hand I was very surprised at the wide range of people at the conference, as classified by what they were doing on their computer. There were plenty of the typical suspects taking notes, blogging the current session, or having IM conversations with friends. I also spotted developer types inexplicably configuring SQL servers and performing database maintenance remotely via a terminal application. There were even a few that were mired in spreadsheet applications working on a business…
…But others were doing what I could only describe as noodling. That is not really accomplishing anything but flipping between applications, swapping tabs, clicking all over the place looking for something new—ANYTHING STIMULATING—amongst the various blogs, IM clients, twitter, etc. Now I didn’t bring a computer to the panels at SXSW, instead armed with my trusty sketchbook I took notes and was generally as attentive and participatory as I could be. But I do know what these people were doing and I’ve since caught myself doing it to. It seems anytime I need an involuntary mental break I immediately begin hovering around my computer, checking email, flipping tabs on my browser, and seeing who’s on IM. It’s like a thirsty man crawling for an oasis as I try to find anything to satisfy whatever it is my mind is craving.
So it is with some understanding that I have to encourage people who attend conferences like SXSW to shut off the computer, sit back, and immerse yourself in the amazing creativity and community that is bursting around you. I think you’re missing out if you don’t.