Entering the homestretch at SxSW

I’m moving into the final day of SxSW and gathering some of the key learnings I’ve gleaned from the many conversations and sessions.

A discussion with Liz Srauss yesterday revealed her special skill in listening to a few minutes of one’s position and immediately “seeing” the vision of where it should go.  Liz’s response was simply, “It’s what I do.”

A fascinating conversation with cyborg anthropologist Amber Case followed.  Amber introduced me to Twitter StreamGraphs as well as giving me a crash course in the use of Yahoo Pipes.  Amber approaches social media with the skills of a social scientist and was kind enough to share with me her holy grail on the unfolding digital revolution : The Information Society as Post-Industrial Society by Masuda…(a copy is already being shipped to the Catskills).

I had three goals this conference.  Test the strategy I’m pursuing with a handful of experts, pick up new practices I can bring to the social media space, and be of use to folks in my network that are not able to be here.

@SarahKennon from FORA.tv asked that I keep my ears out for info on community building and social media for social change.  Much here was geared to these topics, but the main message that I think could be helpful comes from David Meerman Scott in his World Wide Rave: “nobody cares about your product (except you).”   The point that becomes clear in the case of FORA.tv which produces stimulating video on a variety of topics, is to seed and participate in the conversations that their viewers care about throughout the social media space.  Another of Scott’s principles then comes into play: “lose control.”

News of the day: Guy Kawasaki announced that Alltop launch of MyAlltop.