Category: SXSW

creativity, ideation, imagination, impact, product development, SXSW

Beginning: Win By Being Open Source

Christa Avampato

“If you free your data, people will come to you.” ~ Deb Boyer, Phillyhistory.org

I heard this quote at one of the last panels I attended at SXSW Interactive, Innovating and Developing with Libraries, Archives, and Museums. Deb Boyer was part of a panel that discussed innovations that are happening within libraries, archives, and museums. Those institutions wrestle with the options of if, how, when, and to whom to release their extensive and rich spectrum of data and information. Do they charge or make it free? Is there a limit to how much someone can use? How should the information be delivered? Deb encouraged open collaboration between institutions and most certainly for anyone interested in partnering with libraries and archives. She believes being open source is the only way to win influence in our interconnected world; but yourself off from anyone interested in your brand by creating complex business models around the content and your influence rapidly diminishes.

At a conference buzzing with a million and one phenomenal ideas, the questions of intellectual property and ownership of ideas comes up a lot. In panels, hallway conversations, and key notes. Someone has a great idea and needs others to bring it to life. Does that mean that they run the risk of losing the idea by sharing it a la The Social Network? Maybe. Though Deb Boyer argued on her panel that there is no other choice. If the goal is to share what we know and bring our visions to life, we have to put it out there and see what comes back to us.

Gary Vaynerchuk talked about something similar in his keynote on The Thank You Economy. He gives and gives and gives and doesn’t worry about what he’ll get in return. In his very straightforward, and slightly crass, way he argued that if we’re generous first, others will follow in ways and quantities that we could never possibly imagine. Karma, baby. Karma.

SXSW is an incredibly generous environment. Sure, people are being provocative and forthright. They’re asking tough questions that have messy answers or no answers at all. They’re putting themselves and their ideas out there in the hopes that others will join them in their creative pursuits. They’re giving away what they know to anyone who’s interested in what they have to say and willing to take the time to listen. They’re all doing exactly what Deb and Gary advocate for. As Gary so eloquently stated, “Forget about having your ideas stolen. Just out care the competition and you’ll win every time in any industry, in any market.”

inspiration, SXSW

Beginning: Can I Keep It Weird in New York?

Christa Avampato

The city of Austin has a very cool motto: “Keep Austin weird.” I love that. They embrace their quirkiness, their mix of business, creativity, music, wholesome living, and Texas pride. It is an odd mix, and I am so glad that I got to witness the weirdness in all its forms at this year’s SXSW festival. The friendly, open nature of Austin dwellers combined with all of the interested and interesting attendees of SXSW made for a week that exceeded every expectation I had by 10 fold. And I am demanding and full of high expectations.

My friend, Amanda, who was also here in Austin presenting with her husband, Jordan, mentioned to me several times that I appeared to be so light here. And I felt that, too. In New York I sometimes feel like I juggle so many hats that never quite fit together neatly – yoga, writing, technology, business. I always feel like I’m wearing 1 or 2 at a time, with the others safely tucked away until needed. At SXSW, I felt like I could wear them all in a very authentic way. There was some kind of shift that happened within me. Maybe that’s a result of being inspired at every turn by all of the incredible learning that I knew was always waiting for me wherever I went. Maybe this shift was available all of the time and in my daily life in New York I just couldn’t realize it.

In the coming weeks as I sort through my notes and collected business cards, I will be posting on this blog all of the insights and inspirations that I found at SXSW. What’s on my mind at this moment is how to keep this same light feeling that Amanda so eloquently described as I get back to normal life in New York. I’m certain that it’s possible. Now I just need to find the path forward.

politics, social media, SXSW

Beginning: Clay Shirky Explains How You Can Play a Part in Global Politics

Christa Avampato

Clay Shirky
Clay Shirky was his sparkling, brilliant self at SXSW yesterday. I would go so far as to say just his one hour talk made my first day of the festival worthwhile. I’ve heard him speak before, though had never heard his views on global politics and social media. Citing Tunisian, Egyptian, and Libyan examples, he explained the 3 basic tenants of why we should not be surprised by social media’s effect on the global political landscape:

1.) Social media gives us the ability to synchronize across small and great physical distances
2.) Social media provides an avenue to coordinate our efforts to achieved shared goals
3.) Social media provides a way for all people to document and share the circumstances happening around them

In short, social media is the stage that political revolutions have been waiting for. The very best part of the talk was his closing in which he gave us his take-aways about how all of us can have a profound impact on global politics with the help of social media:

1.) Take the long view, not the weekend warrior approach. Pick a country you care about, and start following the social media buzz around the happenings in that country. Retweet your findings on a regular basis to find others who care about the politics happening in that country.

2.) Volunteer remotely. Many organizations now give us the ability to help a cause right from our couch. UN Volunteers, Radiofreenet, Ushahidi, and Global Voices are 4 examples of organizations that provide us with this opportunity for action.

3.) In our own backyards, protect the religious freedoms of all people, particularly those who practice Islam. There is currently a witch hunt underway against American Muslims, and it cannot be tolerated if we are truly to become an evolved society.

To top it off, Shirky is a remarkably down-to-earth guy. The man sitting next to me at Shirky’s talk pointed out that his blog, Shirky.com/weblog, has a a generic WordPress theme. No fancy design or catchy name – just really fantastic content. Despite his fame, talent, and tremendous intellect, seemingly none of that has gone to his head. He’s rare. A lot of people of his caliber and influence, particularly in the interactive space, have egos so large they barely fit inside the Austin Convention Center. By contrast, Shirky is a class act and I feel honored to have had the chance to hear him speak.

creativity, SXSW, travel

Beginning: Variety Abounds in Austin at SXSW

Christa Avampato

I just finished sorting through all of my SXSW Festival materials. I’m bowled over by the amount of talent, insights, and excitement that’s available in the Interactive and Film portions of the Festival. Thank goodness I arrived a day early to get myself together!

Already Austin in proving to be an incredibly hospitable city. I had one cab driver who chatted me up about the US Open (we’re both big fans of del Potro!) and the other played a trivia game with me to test my African geography skills (he said I did well for an American – hmmm…compliment?). I had a great sampling of great Mexican food, complete with dangerously delicious sangria, and everyone I met smiled at my, made eye contact, and bent over backwards to help me out with anything I needed. In the words of Annie, “I think I’m gonna like it here.”

On deck for open day:
9:00 am coffee with Rohan Gunatillake, “reformed management consultant and seriously playful urban meditator” – a Twitter connection I made on Thursday morning. He works at the intersection of Buddhist meditation and tech so we have lots to talk about!

I’m going to take in the trade show for the remainder of the morning.

12:00 pm lunch date with Michelle Nickolaisen, a.k.a. the creative power behind Wicked Whimsy. Thank you, Twitter. Again!

And then the festival really gets cooking with these sessions:

2:00 – Improv Classes: Not Just for Comedians and Actors

3:30 – Why Everything is Amazing But Nobody is Happy

5:00 – Why Would We Think Social Media Is Revolutionary? with Clay Shirky

And then a plethora of evening parties to choose from. As Saturday and Sunday promise to be nights filled with revelry I may be taking it easy tonight. Pacing is a virtue!

For my thoughts on the day as it unfolds, check my Twitter feed and Tumblr blog, Born into Color. There’s exciting stuff brewing in Texas, and I’m excited to share it!

I took the photo above. Amidst all of Austin’s colorful signage, this is one of my favorites. A hot sauce store!

SXSW, yoga

Beginning: I’m on the Road to Austin and SXSW 2011

Christa Avampato

“When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge.”
~ C. P. Cavafy

The road to SXSW 2011 begins today for me. I’ll make a quick stop in Florida to leave Phin with the fam, and then I’ll be on my way to Texas on Thursday morning. I found this quote by C. P. Cavafy last week and perfectly summarizes exactly what I hope to find in Austin. A long, beautiful road of adventure and knowledge. Inspiring people doing inspiring things out in the world. I’m planning to squeeze every last ounce of goodness I can possibly get in the 6 days that I’m there. It’s a perfect way to close out my 34th year and welcome the big 3-5.

I’ll be blogging and tweeting along the way so you can share in the fun even if you’re far away. If you’re there, I’d love to meet you! Drop me a line and we’ll plan to get together. I’m also teaching yoga and speaking at SXSW on the tois of yoga and creative focus. Here are the details for the sessions:

3/14 – Monday morning yoga, 9:30am
3/15 – Taming the Monkey Mind: Yoga and Creative Focus. My pal Jennilyn Carson, a.k.a Yogadork, will be joining me for this fun, relaxing session with me as the perfect way to put a big gorgeous bow around the SXSW experience.

Come by and see us!

profession, SXSW, technology, yoga

Beginning: Taming the Monkey Mind: Yoga and Creative Focus Is My Session at the 2011 SXSW Festival

Christa Avampato

Austin, I’m heading your way! A month from today I’ll be presenting at the SXSW Interactive Festival. Back in August I put together a proposal for a session entitled Taming the Monkey Mind: Yoga and Creative Focus. I’ve never been to SXSW, though from the description of it from friends who have gone it felt like the perfect setting to discuss my interest in helping creative professionals use yoga as a tool to spur their imagination at will. Plus, SXSW will allow me to indulge every nerdy tendency I have (and there are many!) In January, my session was accepted by the SXSW selection committee and I’ve been off and running on the planning and preparation front ever since.

As part of being a speaker, I have the opportunity to bring along a co-presenter. SXSW is such an incredibly inspiring experience that I felt selfish not sharing the goodness so I asked my friend Jennilyn Carson of Yogadork.com fame if she’d be interested in co-hosting the session with me. Thankfully she accepted, submitted to the SXSW committee, and was accepted. I couldn’t be more excited! Her blog on yoga pop culture is one of the funniest, savviest, and honest channels out there. She’s an incredible writer, community-builder, and meticulous researcher. I feel honored to have her join in the fun.

Our session will be on Tuesday, March 15th at 5:00pm, room TBD – the last slot of the interactive festival. It’s the perfect way to close out the SXSW experience – sharing ideas and thoughts about the creative process and the use of yoga to enhance our imaginations. No pressure, all fun. Stop by and see us!

I’ll also be teaching a yoga class on Monday, March 14th at 9:30am thanks to the gracious Ari Stiles. Again, it’s a very chilled out beginner level session that’s meant to help you relax and recharge for the last two days of the SXSW Interactive Festival. Come play!

Here’s a description of the session from the SXSW site:
The perfect way to wrap-up your SXSW experience: a lively and carefree conversation about how yoga can help you easily access your creativity and imagination at will. We all know this feeling of being under the gun with a deadline, needing to access our most creative ideas at a moment’s notice. When we really need our creative muse to show up, she somehow has the uncanny ability to hide like a needle in a haystack and then show up at 3:00am as we bolt upright out of bed, making our way in the dark to scribble down the ideas she’s handed to us. For too long we’ve accepted that’s just the way creativity and imagination work – unpredictably.

Yoga – physical postures, breathing techniques, and visualization – helps us tap into our imaginations at will and with ease, exactly when we need them. A regular yoga practice keeps our minds sharp, helps us make connections between seemingly disparate bits of information that may otherwise go unnoticed, and imagine solutions to complex challenges. It gives us a way forward. This session is helpful for everyone who needs to tap into their own creativity on a regular basis – from performers to programmers, in all mediums.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.