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Geeks, Commerce, Politics, and Fun with Technology | 9 comments
[new] inviting spaces (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#8)
by amy on Thu Feb 19th, 2004 at 08:58:45 AM EURODISCORDIA TIME
(User Info) http://plagiarist.org

I would be very curious to hear what kinds of arrangments and situations appeal differently to different people - what do people perceive as accessible and inviting?

Good question, Aileen. My answer would be "reasonably generic." Like cafes, restaurants, bars. As we've already discussed, hotel lobbies and foyers carry with them an obvious aura of formality. But, I've also been at conferences with rooms specifically designed for relaxation in one way or another - extra-loungy furniture, shoes-off, back massages, or whatever... and interestingly, I found I wasn't really very comfortable in those environments - feels a bit constructed, and the pressure of compulsory relaxation can be too much for a compulsive underachiever like myself! :-) ...

But, in an environment that feels like a "natural" social setting - e.g. a restaurant or bar that normally exists at or near the venue, apart from the conference - I usually feel more comfortable.


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[new] lobbies vs. garages (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#5)
by ryangriffis on Tue Feb 17th, 2004 at 07:37:06 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
(User Info) http://www.yougenics.net/griffis

i've only been to a handful of "official" conferences and more informal, non-profit thingys like teach-ins and workshops, but the conferences i have been to (academic ones, like CAA (college art association), or commercial ones like SIGGRAPH) in the US seem more about competition and institutional advancement than advancing anything communal or challenging. CAA is downright scary to me most of the time - hundreds of artists all competing for a few jobs and listening to hand selected VIPs talk about hot topics. the problem with the teach-ins and workshops i've experienced is, generally, poor turn-out and lack of diversity (of most kinds). obviously, i don't have any suggestions or answers (imagine that) but i'm definitely interested in environments more conducive to informal, yet engaging, discussions. especially if the importance of individuals' status can be minimized while the content highlighted (as in the earlier discussion about celebrity). did anyone - amy's in SD right? attend the powering-up/powering-down events? best, ryan

[ Parent ]


  • scary monsters by amy, 02/19/2004 09:17:47 AM EURODISCORDIA TIME (none / 0)

Geeks, Commerce, Politics, and Fun with Technology | 9 comments
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