The South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX which combines music, film, and Interactive media has become a major destination for trends and social interaction. Sure, it's a social technology conference, but it's a music festival and an arts venue.
It's the kind of event that represents more of what the future will be, collaboration and cross-pollination. Yes, the larger the show the more unwieldy it becomes, but the benefit of mixing the disciplines is a dynamic learning environment. I suggest it represents more of how our government, corporations, and schools are going to restructure for a society that wants less silos of information and more of web (and I don't mean web-based) approach in the physical world as well.
There is no replacement for being in Austin, TX right now, but there are ways to feel like you are there. Following the events and chatter is simple.
There are RSS feeds from the SXSW conference
Then there is the Twitter Feed for #SXSW
Don't think SXSW is on the bleeding edge, it's mainstream enough that National Public Radio has live SXSW coverage of the music venue
There is plenty to see and hear from SXSW at Ustream TV and Blog Talk Radio just search SXSW to see those who are broadcasting live from the event.
If you are attending SXSW what are your turn ons or offs about the festival. Use this widget from Beyond Polls to select from the menu or add to it in your own words. Here is a link to the poll http://qcwidget.com/widgets/5410a1ee2859
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