You’d have to be in the coma this past week not to have noticed that half the universe is in Austin for what feels like a geek version of prom night.
It’s also in times like these that it feels more lonely on the web in a way, as most of the people who don’t get a chance to meet get to spend a week together while the rest of us are spectators of that time and enjoyment. It’s a strange feeling of being at the end of the network, where it really feels like you’re a voyeur, desperately reaching out for anything people will share: pictures on Flickr, tweets, blog posts, etc.
Or maybe I should get out more :)
Actually, over here, whatever happens in SXSW and ETech seems largely irrelevant. They’ve become… inwardly turned, and don’t seem to have much impact on the non-English web 2.0 world.
I think sxsw more than etech feels like a giant magnet. I don’t think, as you point out that it has anything to do with content per se, but sounds more like the party of the year I never really seem to be able to attend :)