Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    
Here's another talk with Corgan at SXSW: http://youtu.be/x8z6tU4at30

He's talking about VRM and disintermediation... ideally artists and
fans can be connected without a "value chain" of middle men. If you're
one of the middle men, this sucks: your world is falling apart, and
you're trying to pull it back together again, build this or that
paywall to protect your position. This will pass as the media
environment evolves further and middle-man expectations fall away like
dinosaurs with no more oxygen to sustain 'em.

He's smart to point out the importance of ever richer experiences -
there's an experience economy thing happening. Digital doesn't replace
"real experience," it points to it. In the world of music, concerts are
the focus, rather than recorded music, which is just a pointer to the
live experience. As it should be.
  

    
I had never heard him before. He is very smart and impressive. I'm
going to have to check out his music.
  

    
And all this music talk segues nicely to our next Inkwell.vue
conversation, How to Make (and Find) Music in the 21st Century?
  

    
Yes, indeed! Looking forward to that one.

We sometimes focus more on the conference aspect of SXSW, but it's
first and foremost a festival - originally a music festival, then a
film festival was added, and finally a multimedia festival which became
SXSW Interactive. On the ground at SXSW, I think the festival aspect
is more compelling - music performances and film screenings - for many
who attend. Interactive has been more about panels and solo talks, but
as social technology has emerged its become more about gatherings -
bringing people together in all sorts of contexts, and having
stimulating conversations that are often extensions of the
conversations they've been having all year online. The Interactive
Festival really is a festival of interactivity - I think the various
Meetups and Core Conversations are becoming the heart and soul of the
event, and the keynotes are actually less interesting.
  

    
I'm sure it's been amazing to watch the transformation over the years.
You all do an exceptional job putting this on. The ripple effect is
becoming phenomenal and Austin itself is one of the premier towns to be
living in.

(Only slightly jealous:))
  

    
Our discussion comes to a formal close today, but I encourage everyone
to continue to post comments and questions as they may occur.

Warmest thanks and appreciation to Jon Lebkowsky and Ed Ward for their
time, talent and candor as they have shared their thoughts and
experiences at SXSW as well as their wide-ranging grasp of the larger
issues occurring as we make the transition into a digital age. The best
to you both in all your endeavors.

And thanks to all who have participated with your comments and your
attention. Be curious, be well.
  

    
Thanks, Ted, for leading the discussion so well!
  

    
Nice video with Robert Scoble...SXSW from the perspective of startups,
entrepreneurs, and investors. Quite a lot of enthusiasm, different
point of view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4j7k_nkzlEA#!