Generally speaking, we think we’re pretty smart, but we are also big believers in the idea of collective intelligence (i.e. how communities can often interact and be more effective problem solvers than individuals) . . . So, we’ve got a problem, and we need your help to solve it in a way that works for everyone. Here’s the thing . . .
For each of the more than 650 classes we run each year, we have a handout that accompanies the class instruction. Last year, in an attempt to work more efficiently AND make good on our commitment to become a green business, we started sending these packets as PDF’s (rather than large photocopied paper packets). (more…)
March 13, 2008
By Mindy Aronoff, Director of Training & Resources
During the first tech boom, Hugh Forrest, the dude that puts together the SXSW Interactive Fest, was talking about how that conference differs from the music and film one . . . 
“There’s less of a distinction between the speakers and the attendees. There’s kind of a feeling that everyone is in the same boat and we’re all kind of going the same direction. The people leading the panel might have a little better idea of where the boat is going to end up than the people listening to them—or maybe not.” (Italics are mine.)
Even though the boat has gotten so much bigger, Forrest’s observation still holds true. Did I learn a lot from the panels last week? Not really. Not in a traditional sense. But I picked up so much from just being in the same space as Valleywag, Gawker, Mahalo, PostSecret, Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Adobe, Citizen Agency, Pownce, MySpace, Laughing Squid, Meebo, Maker, Upcoming, Flickr, Zappos, Twitter, Udderz, Black Web 2.0, Fast Company, LinkedIn, Opera, Microsoft, TMZ, Robert Scoble, Six Apart, BoingBoing, RazorFish….oh, you get the idea. ‘Bout 8000 people, people. Jeez.
(more…)
March 13, 2008
