My SXSWi 2014 Session Recaps + Other Notes

Mike Standish
Senior Creative Director @MikeStandish

The Archetypes of SXSW Interactive

SXSW Interactive attendees fall into many categories, but there is one predominant type of character, and apparently Im it: The chunky-glasseswearing hipster. Heres some proof from my Chicago colleague Whitney Beatty.

Perhaps, though, theres a downside to my appearance.

SELECT SESSION NOTES

MSLGROUP | PBJS

Visually Turning Complexity Into Clarity

One Takeaway: Use hand-drawn sketches to get people to embrace the notion that a design is unfinished and malleable. Computer renderings can be intimidating.
Useful People + Resources:
@Viegasf Research Scientist, Google @Grahaphics Graphics/Multimedia Editor, NYT @KarlGude Graphics Editor Michigan State U/Newsweek Wind Visualization: http://www.Hint.fm/wind/gallery Mariano Rivera: King of Closers: http://www.grahaphics.com/Mariano-Rivera-Kingof-the-Closers

Generation Mash-Up: Y Bother?

One Takeaway: The technology you grow up using has a profound effect on the way your brain works, and the way you interact with others.
Useful People + Resources:
@PeteCashmore Founder, Mashable
@Fleurot5 CEO, MSLGROUP @JoannaColes Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan

Edward Snowden: A Virtual Conversation

One Takeaway: Its not about preventing the NSA from catching criminals. Its about preventing the bulk surveillance of citizens with no cause.

Useful People + Resources:

@Csoghoian Principal Technologist, ACLU @BenWizner Director, ACLU Speech/Privacy/Tech Project CNN story and video: http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/10/tech/web/edward-snowden-sxsw/

A Conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson

One Takeaway: Useful People + Resources:
@neiltyson Astrophysicist Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey: http://www.cosmosontv.com/ My MSL Blog/Recap: http://northamerica.mslgroup.com/network/con versations/2014/03/13/a-promise-to-remaincurious-about-the-universe/

There is so much to be impressed with in the universe, I dont want you to be distracted by what is not.

The New Digital Age

One Takeaway: Autocratic governments have shifted from trying to shut down the Internet to instead attempting to infiltrate it in order to manipulate their citizenry. Useful People + Resources:
@JaredCohen Director of Google Ideas @EricSchmidt Executive Chairman, Google The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Businesses, and Our Lives http://www.amazon.com/New-Digital-AgeTransforming-Businesses/dp/030794705X/

The Future of Genetics in Our Everyday Lives

One Takeaway: Theres still a degree of GATTACA-like fear involved in sending your DNA to a testing company, but the personal and cultural benefits may yield tremendous benefits. Useful People + Resources:
ANNE WOJCICKI Anne Wojcicki is a biotech analyst, biologist, and CEO of 23andMe, a consumer genetictesting startup. @23andMe 23andMe.com http://www.fastcompany.com/person/annewojcicki

LEARNINGS
MSLGROUP | PBJS

Event Marketing Can Be

Weird

Dont Even Bother Trying to Eat Healthy

Forget About Normal Sleep Patterns

Our Colleagues from Around the World are Awesome

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, SXSW