March 13, 2005
No Need for Cool
I've wanted to attend SXSW for years -- it's where all the cool people go. I've wanted to observe how cool people look, act, and think. The plan has been to take notes of them in their natural habitat and to study them back in my lab.
I find myself gravitating toward wanting to educate and influence people through the web. Build online communities. Make shit happen. That's really why I'm in Austin.
I don't need to be cool.
When I bought the SXSW tickets, I knew I would be leaving America for Europe less than two weeks after the festival ended, but I accepted the potential intensity of those few weeks for the peace of mind that would come with knowing I made the most of an opportunity.
I'm on the roof of the Austin Convention Center. It's cool and dark inside and warm and bright outside. I accept the glare from the sun for the warmth that comes with it.
I don't need to be cool.
