The event was held at Norse Hall, a 1928 dance hall and event space built for people of Norwegian heritage living in Portland. Beautiful and funky place. I like the table and chair in the men's bathroom.
The presentations covered the gamut. Gary Hirsch did the most efficient 3 minute presentation of improvisation - complete with audience participation - that I've ever seen. Fun.
The ones that stuck were the ones full of passion and sincerity, the woman who visited Afghanistan, the woman paying tribute to her grandfather, the guy with the website dedicated to people with gaps in their teeth, the guy who loves fruit.
I have mixed feelings about the format - which is super popular right now with this and Pecha Kucha and IGNITE Portland and whatnot. It's fun, but reminds me of sitting in front of the TV changing channels. Nothing penetrates too deeply. But it's sweet that a couple hundred people would go out on a Thursday night to do something like this. Encouraging.
3 comments:
Hey man. Nice blog. Hope the fam is great. Miss talking to you. Tough being the boss huh? You are PERFECT for it. They are lucky to have you. I'm very proud of you. We should talk this year. Take care. www.spazzles.blogspot.com
you're so positive. i thought it was miserable. like a series of 3 minute commercials for the most part. it was like they couldn't find anybody so they asked local businesses if they could creatively promote themselves. ugh. i left at half time. if had paid $16 i seriously would've asked for my money back.
They have a similar thing in open source software development circles, called barcamp, only the three minute presentations are pitches for people to come and hear you speak more fully later in the event.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcamp
Obviously, it changes it from an evening into a full day, but it gives the initial excitement you like, with the depth that you want.
It can be a little brutal, though, because if no one is interested in your topic, no one shows up later.
Usually, there is a vote on which topics move on to the in-depth phase.
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