I’ll respond in random fashion to your last.

About the issues with the digerati (their term, not mine), those are debates that have been put up long before I tuned into them. I actually found out about the followmeatsea thing last November thanks to your handy link at Jere my He ad’s blogsite. What was going on there involved personalities and viewpoints that are central to what I’m referring to, also as far as the one-size-fits-all view of blogging. Part of that being, that your background in journalism or media counts for nought, all that matters is their stellar prior business background (…although they never quite reveal how that applies, do they?:))

Events focused on blogging – if they work for you at a certain stage in filling in gaps in your knowledge, I can understand how that can justify the expense. Personally, I don’t even go on ASJA or SATW or other conventional trips due to the expense, but those at least organize fam and side itineraries at the venue for anyone who wants to write up something on the destination in addition to the value of the conference.

Being too focused on the bottom line – actually, I’d applaud anyone for doing that. We are still in a world-wide recession, and many people in this part of the globe are fearful and desperate. Many more still, are people thrown out of day jobs in media and thinking that blogging is a quick fix for an unpredictable and shrinking job market. That reflects in the emphasis on how to monetize a website/blog.

I don’t have a take on travel blogging, as far as a vehicle I think it’s one of many to include in a wider revenue stream, but I can’t see it being a 24/7 activity for me, ever. Yes, I was referring to things like Matador, Worldhum, Gadling, although there’s good writers in each, there’s also some howlers that exemplify what I dislike most about some people’s notion of travel blogging. I don’t mind if someone likes a different part of the world or different type of travel activity, the only thing I can’t stand about reading someone is when they’re totally self-involved and not at all involved with what they’re supposed to be telling about.

I’m not sure if I fully understand what you are asking re issues with ‘the digerati’ – horrible term indeed. There are a lot of self-appointed online gurus and social media ‘experts’ but then I don’t think they are too difficult to spot, especially when you meet those who genuinely engage and understand internet culture.

I >can< answer why I picked SXSW Interactive, though.

It was kind of a think local, act global thing. Six people from Birmingham UK had visited the festival the year before I went and all noted via Twitter/blogs/etc that attending it had fundamentally changed their understanding and allowed them to meet a rather interesting/useful/deleteasappropriate set of contacts. These local contacts who I hadn't even met IRL created a thought in my head… especially since the print industry was slashing budgets and work was drying up even for the experienced and well-connected.

First though, I attended some webby gatherings in the UK but felt very much like I was operating without context. (SXSW is very good for contextualising all your random thoughts and understandings.) The UK also doesn't attract the best speakers or put on such a wide-ranging event.

I do believe, though, that it was when I researched SXSW and found out about the famous game of Geek Frogger played in real life across the I35 that sold me. A career conference, with parties attached, and in a 'city of weird' – well, it wasn't a big step from there to booking a ticket.

If you're going to have a life, you might as well have an interesting a one as you can.

SXSW did feel a bit Americanised though – too much focus on the bottom line – but that's why the 'Kebab' breakout panel hijacked a conference room and became one of the highlights of the festival – here's my attempt at a write-up of SXSWi Kebab.

What’s your take on travel blogging btw? Not sure I’ve come across the one-size-fits-all model (do you mean Matador etc and trip blogging?) – but definitely trying to get away from that with Tourist Vs Traveller.

It’s still in its experimental phase. And plans are afoot… *emits evil blogger laugh*

Mastery of video? Well, ahem, I quickly learnt not to move the camera too much/fast. Horrible viewing if you do.