ConvergeSouth was THIS BIG!(photo of Ruby Sinreich by Iddybud)
WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR...
(dans progress)
A
funny thing happened this weekend, beginning on Friday. While the stock market was going to shit, hominids were gathering in North Carolina to break the drought that was long plaguing the state. The impact was instantaneous and widespread.
Rain soaked the area represented by these holy blogger/rainpersons, and earth and heaven were once again speaking.
Here are some of the things unearthed by said rainbloggers...
THE GATHERING OF THE FIFTH ESTATE
As the blognoscenti of The Fifth Estate gathered, I realized that it was going to be impossible to spend quality time with everyone, but I am glad that I did get some quality time with some quality folk, in particular, David Hoggard, Jay Ovittore, Dr. Sue, Michael Habib, Bora Zivkovic, David Jordan, Scott and Barbara Nelles, Stew Pittman, Billy the Wordjones, Dan Conover, Lex Alexander, Fec Stench, Brandon Gross, Saskia Wilson-Brown, Robert Reddick, and a few others. Some, like Ben Hwang and Ed Cone were always on the move, and thus hard to trap into a long discussion on what's next.
THE FUTURE:
CHARLOTTE FESTIVAL OF THE FIFTH ESTATE
I am pondering a notion from the mind of Joe Killian, who wondered why these events could not happen twice a year...
UNCC college of Computers and Informatics Campus
Charlotte is typically very lovely in April and May, which is roughly six months from now. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a new campus dedicated to Information Technology, which auspiciousoly lies at the north side of Charlotte, very close to I-85, from whence most people from the Triad and Triangle would be coming. Seems like such an event might serve both institutions well.
University Place, Charlotte
Nearby is University Place, where people can stay, and party...and also NODA, charlotte's vibrant art district, which has venues for music, film, art, and good food. Again, this would serve both institutions well...
Charlotte Arts District (NODA)
Flight from other cities around the world are available, media coverage from the Charlotte Observer, sponsorship from Bank of America, Wachovia, BMW, and other deep pockets might be available...and Lord knows the city is always looking to promote the image of it being a state-of-the-art, world-class city. As I said also to Saskia and Brandon of Current TV and San Francisco...Charlotte's god in chief, Hugh McColl, loved San Francisco, and wanted to bring the best of that city to Charlotte. Among the projects he is involved with is the Echo Foundation, founded by Elie Wiesel and, i believe, headquartered in Charlotte.
Charlotte also has telemedicine, and is making great headway in holistic medicine...with Stewart Brand's recent involvement in the creation of a new holistic, hospital, replete with Feng Shui gardens, waterfalls, and much else besides. Surely an interesting topic for discussion... Perhaps health can be at the center of discussion, but maybe also other aspects of life for which the city is known, like investments, banking, business, sports...and these other quotidian, yet necessary, arenas.
Besides...the mayor is on Facebook.
