What does 1 week, 5,000 + attendees, world leaders, several social media platforms and a fun city drenched in conservation energy add up to? Whatever your response may be, I am sure it is has been happening in Sydney this week. There has been a lot of chatter over particular social media outlets and how they may fall short of keeping people informed. Whether it has been clinking and drinking beers with friends or a proper dialogue with a business partner, people agree that despite our ability to connect, we are more disconnected then ever. Interesting that as this globally recognized conference evolves that there is a feeling of disconnect. I think there is a lot to be said for that.
Social media is powerful. You can see a picture that someone snapped from the other side of the world on your smart phone in less then 10 seconds. Twitter, Facebook, blogging and many others keep text and pictures flowing into your media devices constantly. So why do we not feel like we are intimately involved with this conference? I would like to highlight the fact that despite it being almost 2015, our incredible technological advancements, and our ease of sharing information, there is something novel about being present. Even the small example of Brett and a CLTL student Skyping in from Sydney to Fort Collins, CO today – it gave us a tiny glimpse into what it is like over there.
The variety of participants at this conference must be providing some incredible ideas. The workshops, seminars, presentations, and festive events are the perfect outlet for networking, idea-sharing, and information swapping. The diversity alone within the people attending is an eye-opening and mind-expanding experience for thousands. The possibilities and opportunities that will erupt from this week long conference will be exciting to follow. Change takes time, more often then not a lot longer then we would like it to. Right now there are students talking to business professionals, world leaders talking to tribes people and businesses connecting with non-profit groups. How can nothing shy of awesome come from this?!
There is innovative energy swirling around Sydney right now and it is festering like a science experiment in a petri dish. Lets exercise our patience and see what sort of dazzling delights form in the months and years to come.