Applied creativity Tuesday May 12, 2009
It’s always good to turn things upside down once in a while. A flexible approach gets you thinking in new and unexpected ways. On Saturday I went to my very first unconference. Media Camp Nottingham brought together people interested and/or expert in media, technology and culture – and all the fascinating things that can happen when those three interact.
As someone who harboured a deep and near obsessive loathing towards computers whilst growing up (admittedly they were much more basic back then…), I found it both strange and interesting to be surrounded by so many people passionate about technology. People from the worlds of gaming, digital media, social networking, blogging and more. Even at lunch it didn’t take them long to find out which form of social networking our waitress preferred (Twitter).
My first unconference was a great reminder of the value of looking for different ways of doing things – in business and in everyday life. We worked on Nottingham’s response to the Digital Britain report, looking at how technologies and closer networks of communication could really help people out there. That personal/political theme also came up with a look at the power to make things happen. A lot of serious stuff and a lot to entertain, as well.
It’s a changing world out there. These things give us more flexibility to adapt to what’s ahead. Award winning blogs, online campaigns, information and ideas zipping across networks of people…my twelve-year-old computer loathing self would never have guessed how interesting technology can be.
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