SXSW – Second Life: Where are they now?

The SXSW experience is a unique conference experience I look forward to every year. It’s a powerful blend of elements guaranteed to recharge one’s creative batteries — thought-provoking (and sometimes irreverent) panel talks, intimate hallway discussions, lots of live music, amazing Texas BBQ and some serious partying.

Serious partying.

Nowhere else on earth can you interact with this many creatives fighting off the unpleasant physiological effects caused by absurd levels of adult beverage consumption.

So when the opportunity came along this summer to submit panel ideas for SXSW Interactive, I wanted to submit something that would be very fun but also insightful and focused.

I came up with “Second Life: Where are they now?” as a sort of postmortem on the early, wild west era of Second Life. The panel’s aim will be to give perspective on what attracted the panelists to SL, what they did/do there, how it has changed over the years, and what lessons can be learned from the experience.

Second Life brought together a very unique cross section of people, some of which who are still involved with the platform and many others who have since gone on to other interesting pursuits. Confirmed panelists thus far include Mark Wallace, journalist and author on virtual worlds, and C.C. Chapman, new media marketer and podcaster. I’ll be sure to post other speakers as they are confirmed, but it promises to be quite a mix of people.

You can read more details about the panel (and vote for it!) here.