Comments on: Conference Diversity .. the Permathread Returns http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/ Making things useful, getting stuff done Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:17:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » Women in Technology http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-114565 Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » Women in Technology Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:06:15 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-114565 [...] I think back to the ongoing “Where are the women?” conversations in the geek conference space, where some claim it’s impossible to get women to attend, it was [...] [...] I think back to the ongoing “Where are the women?” conversations in the geek conference space, where some claim it’s impossible to get women to attend, it was [...]

]]> By: Joern http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-109901 Joern Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:38:58 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-109901 I’m glad the thread is back. I am not speaking at SXSW this year for the first time because of the open voting process used to select the panels... Joern I’m glad the thread is back. I am not speaking at SXSW this year for the first time because of the open voting process used to select the panels…

Joern

]]> By: Portrait painting http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-98328 Portrait painting Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:53:42 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-98328 Good post! This reminds me of the past couple of conferences I’ve been to. The first one was like conference-for-the-experts-alone. I was thinking that a conference discussion calls for questions especially from people who haven’t tried doing on a certain thing. But in this conference, questions from the inexperienced ones were not welcome. Huh? I guess intelligent people really have no time for slowpokes. The second one was really discriminating and clannish. They don’t seem to listen and give attention to the opinion of people from the lower class countries. Another thing is, if the speaker is from a not so rich country few people only register to attend his talk. Good post! This reminds me of the past couple of conferences I’ve been to. The first one was like conference-for-the-experts-alone. I was thinking that a conference discussion calls for questions especially from people who haven’t tried doing on a certain thing. But in this conference, questions from the inexperienced ones were not welcome. Huh? I guess intelligent people really have no time for slowpokes. The second one was really discriminating and clannish. They don’t seem to listen and give attention to the opinion of people from the lower class countries.

Another thing is, if the speaker is from a not so rich country few people only register to attend his talk.

]]> By: jewellery http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-97148 jewellery Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:07:53 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-97148 Diversity is a wonderful truth about good business, and good leadership. I think your three points are valid – most notably, positive discrimination. The point is, if all the best speakers ARE men then there should only be men. If all the best speakers are only women, there should only be women. But we know this isn't the case – speakers vary all across the gender and colour barrier (as if, there is supposed to be a barrier) and so the best way (I think) to encourage diversity is to get people excited about the future of the world (so to speak) and not just the future of their bank balance. This way, they will always want to only put on the best at conferences – and only hear the best at conferences – and the best will always be men or women. Also, you're right, there should be a lot more mentoring going on and the only reason why there isn't is – yet again – the concern of people over their pocket rather than the future of our world. Diversity is a wonderful truth about good business, and good leadership. I think your three points are valid – most notably, positive discrimination. The point is, if all the best speakers ARE men then there should only be men. If all the best speakers are only women, there should only be women. But we know this isn’t the case – speakers vary all across the gender and colour barrier (as if, there is supposed to be a barrier) and so the best way (I think) to encourage diversity is to get people excited about the future of the world (so to speak) and not just the future of their bank balance. This way, they will always want to only put on the best at conferences – and only hear the best at conferences – and the best will always be men or women.

Also, you’re right, there should be a lot more mentoring going on and the only reason why there isn’t is – yet again – the concern of people over their pocket rather than the future of our world.

]]> By: heather http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-75386 heather Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:22:21 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-75386 I'm glad the thread is back. I am not speaking at SXSW this year for the first time because of the open voting process used to select the panels. There are plenty o' chicks in the show I'll do there http://upcoming.org/event/149432/ and nothing but diversity in the interactive talk show I do (www.heathergold.com) because that is the most essential ingredient to making the show *good.* Contrast is necessary in order for connection to be visible. This is a problem of design. Those on the thread seem to see Diversity as a Nice to Have add on to the conversation now known as a Panel or Speaker. Then people quibble about Quality and Diversity as though they are an either/or thing or even the only framework from which to see this I see a structure for successful engagement of an audience differently. 1> Presentations are Passe -we all hate Powerpoint. The entire form of Presentation is one-way, not interactive. 2>Caring at the Centre, rather than Known-ness -most events market by fame. Being known doesn't make you an interesting speaker, know how to engage a crowd, or have anything new to say. Are you creating a conference to create a good experience or merely to sell sponsorship. Quailty experience doesn't have to lose you sponsorship at all. It ensures the experience is what things are built around. 3> You have an audience, doubtless more diverse than the speakers. Walk your wisdom of crowds talk. If you don't know how to do an open source conversation or emcee/host effectively to get the best out of guests and the audience, hire someone like me who does. 4>If y'all love "users" so much, invite em on stage. Ok Meri, I clearly have too much to say for a blog comments,cause my good typing arm must rest now. I will have news on the conference/diversity front soon. Hope to see you at SXSW! heather I’m glad the thread is back. I am not speaking at SXSW this year for the first time because of the open voting process used to select the panels.

There are plenty o’ chicks in the show I’ll do there

http://upcoming.org/event/149432/

and nothing but diversity in the interactive talk show I do (www.heathergold.com) because that is the most essential ingredient to making the show *good.*

Contrast is necessary in order for connection to be visible. This is a problem of design. Those on the thread seem to see Diversity as a Nice to Have add on to the conversation now known as a Panel or Speaker.

Then people quibble about Quality and Diversity as though they are an either/or thing or even the only framework from which to see this

I see a structure for successful engagement of an audience differently.
1> Presentations are Passe
-we all hate Powerpoint. The entire form of Presentation is one-way, not interactive.

2>Caring at the Centre, rather than Known-ness
-most events market by fame. Being known doesn’t make you an interesting speaker, know how to engage a crowd, or have anything new to say. Are you creating a conference to create a good experience or merely to sell sponsorship. Quailty experience doesn’t have to lose you sponsorship at all. It ensures the experience is what things are built around.

3> You have an audience, doubtless more diverse than the speakers. Walk your wisdom of crowds talk. If you don’t know how to do an open source conversation or emcee/host effectively to get the best out of guests and the audience, hire someone like me who does.

4>If y’all love “users” so much, invite em on stage.

Ok Meri, I clearly have too much to say for a blog comments,cause my good typing arm must rest now.

I will have news on the conference/diversity front soon.

Hope to see you at SXSW!

heather

]]> By: Kelly Christopherson http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-72484 Kelly Christopherson Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:02:08 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-72484 I've read a few blogs with some interest. What is interesting is that this seems to be something that differs from profession to profession. As a teacher, there are by far more female presenters than male. In fact, I've been to conferences where there are actually very few men, period. In teacher universities (Canadian), the ratio of males to females is about 20:80. I see few young men in education - maybe they're all in the technology field. As a male, I must be very careful what I say regarding trends and how I phrase comments regarding females for harassment purposes. However, I am seeing again and again where males are portrayed in a negative light by females without there being a problem. I have to put up with "bad husband" comments from many females, who are presenting, which does grow a bit tiresome yet all the females in the room laugh. I didn't think this was what we were striving for? I read the comment by Mr. Scoble. I don't agree with him, he doesn't speak for all males and I'm learning not to take offence because someone offers an opinion. As an educator, father and husband, I agree that we need to ensure fair treatment of all. However, fair doesn't mean equal. I've learnt that as a father, husband, teacher and, now, as a school administrator. So, good luck with your quest for more female speakers and a greater diversity (more females) in presenters. As for me, I've had duds from both - give me someone who is a good speaker (more female than male in my world) and I'll appreciate the time I spend with them. I’ve read a few blogs with some interest. What is interesting is that this seems to be something that differs from profession to profession. As a teacher, there are by far more female presenters than male. In fact, I’ve been to conferences where there are actually very few men, period. In teacher universities (Canadian), the ratio of males to females is about 20:80. I see few young men in education – maybe they’re all in the technology field. As a male, I must be very careful what I say regarding trends and how I phrase comments regarding females for harassment purposes. However, I am seeing again and again where males are portrayed in a negative light by females without there being a problem. I have to put up with “bad husband” comments from many females, who are presenting, which does grow a bit tiresome yet all the females in the room laugh. I didn’t think this was what we were striving for? I read the comment by Mr. Scoble. I don’t agree with him, he doesn’t speak for all males and I’m learning not to take offence because someone offers an opinion. As an educator, father and husband, I agree that we need to ensure fair treatment of all. However, fair doesn’t mean equal. I’ve learnt that as a father, husband, teacher and, now, as a school administrator. So, good luck with your quest for more female speakers and a greater diversity (more females) in presenters. As for me, I’ve had duds from both – give me someone who is a good speaker (more female than male in my world) and I’ll appreciate the time I spend with them.

]]> By: Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » Make Me A Speaker! http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-72309 Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » Make Me A Speaker! Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:31:36 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-72309 [...] I’d already posted quite a lot as part of the discussion about female speakers at conferences. One of the things I said I’d like to see happening more was experienced folks mentoring those aspiring to becoming speakers. That thought got quite a good reaction and so as a result today I set up Make Me A Speaker! [...] [...] I’d already posted quite a lot as part of the discussion about female speakers at conferences. One of the things I said I’d like to see happening more was experienced folks mentoring those aspiring to becoming speakers. That thought got quite a good reaction and so as a result today I set up Make Me A Speaker! [...]

]]> By: KBlog by Kimberly Blessing | More thoughts on gender in the Web world http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-72252 KBlog by Kimberly Blessing | More thoughts on gender in the Web world Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:55:03 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-72252 [...] Meri Williams [...] [...] Meri Williams [...]

]]> By: this is rachelandrew.co.uk » We’re still looking for those women http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-72068 this is rachelandrew.co.uk » We’re still looking for those women Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:09:37 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-72068 [...] Perhaps the message that conferences organizers could take note of from these exchanges is that there may be good people out there who would need some encouragement to come and speak, would need to know that their input is valuable. I love Meri’s idea of successful speakers mentoring and encouraging others. It may be that some of the quieter voices out there just need some help to get started. [...] [...] Perhaps the message that conferences organizers could take note of from these exchanges is that there may be good people out there who would need some encouragement to come and speak, would need to know that their input is valuable. I love Meri’s idea of successful speakers mentoring and encouraging others. It may be that some of the quieter voices out there just need some help to get started. [...]

]]> By: Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » More To It http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-72064 Meriblog: Meri Williams’ Weblog » More To It Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:53:38 +0000 http://blog.meriwilliams.com/2007/02/25/conference-diversity-the-permathread-returns/#comment-72064 [...] – Please Note: For more positive suggestions on how to improve things, please see my previous post. Posted by Meri @ 10:48 PM on February 26, 2007 Permalink [...] [...] – Please Note: For more positive suggestions on how to improve things, please see my previous post. Posted by Meri @ 10:48 PM on February 26, 2007 Permalink [...]

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