Us / Them: SXSW Panel Preparations

SXSW Interactive 2006 Panel "Us and Them: A Blog Conversation Survival Guide"

Notes, thoughts, dreams, and whatever the heck we want to put here.

Reflection without Us / Them : Our history from Autumn 2005 conversations AND notes from 2006 events.

Hannah Arendt on politics

Radio Talk Shows Don't Have to Exacerbate Conflict

Feb 25 call: agenda and notes

Nancy White's mind maps of the panel: http://www.fullcirc.com/weblog/2006/03/mind-maps-on-usthem-blog-conversation.htm#links

Agenda For Feb 7 Call
 * Who is on first - Koan can't come to SXSW
 * Content
 * Process
 * Next steps for preparation

Some thinking out loud

1a. Set expectations for the hour and suggest we aren't coming as people with the answers, but a group with a set of questions for an exploratory conversation. Explore. Learn. Conversation.

1. ( 5 minutes) This is called US/Them: A blogging conversation survival guide - we should be compiling resources that could be downloaded as a guide. Nancy will quickly tell about how this panel evolved out of the Us/Them telephone calls. (3 minutes)What are the motivations for wanting to figure out how to do this or not. 3-5 key points

2. Introductions: (15 minutes total) As panel mod, I'll (Nancy) introduce each of you with 2-3 lines of why I think you are so cool. ( Then start with each of you telling a story about us/them in our blogs by way of introduction (3 minutes each = 12 minutes) It would be nice if each set out a different perspective about conflict in blog interactions.
 * Grace: JIMMIE story (tags: personal, mommy blog, civil disagreement) [1) personal mommy blogger, how disregarded personal bloggers are, how to be civil about this. 2) Melissa suburban bliss - husband more handsome than her, getting man-saving panty advice. 3) Jimmie's presence is a coup for Grace. "Loyal Opposition." The attractive version of Matalin and Carvel. Jimmie and Grace. Jimmie is an A-lister. Doesn't get many comments, even though he begs for them. Regular commentors he knows personally. ]
 * Tish: instalaunching story (negativity, anonymous commenting) - what happens when a huge link generates negative comments
 * Jimmie: Vibe off of Grace/Jimmie story - the other perspective - Jimmie getting attacked on Grace's blog for his comments. What Grace did. Contacted Jimmie personally. (personal attacks, blog owner intervention intentions, interested in civility)
 * Bill: own experience in deciding why civility might be worth the paper it is printed on. Interact with people in a way that allows conversation and a shouting match. This panel is a microcosm of the world.

3. (30 minutes) What are your Rules of Thumb? Each panelist offers 3, then we open up the mike? What are your rules of thumb? (TECH NOTE NEED MIKE to MIKE) - Grace & Tish

4. ( 5 minutes) Housekeeping pointing to resources and tags (nancy). Closing round - one sentence of practice advice. 1-2 minutes each of synthesis of what happened in the room.

To Do List
 * Set our expectations w/r/t to those that want to role model disruption
 * IRC projection?
 * Check actual time on panel - 11:30 am Sunday
 * Find additional panelist - Jimmie - Available on Sunday? Grace Ask
 * Need to look into technical issues: live stuff on screen, Koan video, how to incorporate audience ideas into the guide as we go at it.
 * Grace start our Resource Page, draft by Feb 24
 * Do your Introductions tags/ID
 * Think about your potential stories - get clear, see notes above
 * Put in any Rules of Thumb
 * Nancy check on roving mike