Close Your Mouth When You Talk

Google IO Conference - A Comparison

May 28th, 2008 at 03:55pm Eloy Zuniga Jr.

I’m sitting here in a bean bag chair at the Google conference. I have to admit the amount of attention paid to the atmosphere does deserve an applaud. I’m staring at a herd of nerds in front of me as they attempt to understand the fundamentals of fooseball. I think they may be over thinking the concept as they discuss the algorithms of the game.

They’ve also got pool tables. The majority of the people here range from their 30’s - 45’s. So as always it’s nice to feel like the youngen in the group. I’m appreciating this now while I still can. Soon I will be among the middle age and then what will I write about?

I keep comparing the atmosphere here to that of SXSW Austin. The environment (once again) awesome, but the majority of people here, not so great. Developers, programmers, people who do nerd stuff tend to form a type of god complex that makes them unapproachable. As if being social is a quality not worth investing in.

Now as I write these words you do have to keep in mind that I’m commenting on the majority. There are a recognizable number of people here doing their best to make friends.

SXSW Austin had very interactive people (for the nerds out there, pun intended). I think it was a little more lively/friendly because the people at SXSW Austin was made up of PR representatives and Marketing people. Those humans that are naturally friendly.

The sessions here can be compared to a day of Early Morning Sunday Church. You know you’re suppose to be there, and you know that the lesson is important, but it’s boring! Most of the lessons here can be self taught by picking up a book and spending a couple of minutes each day on me-time.

This does not mean that I haven’t learned anything. It’s only a comparison between conferences.

The next session is at 3p, I’ve decided to devote the rest of my efforts to the labs … that’s where you get hands-on experience with the Google developers. It’s awesome to learn conceptual ideas via a speaker, but actual programming lessons … not so much.

I’m going now. I’m either going to A run to the next session and try to get a good seat or B approach the people playing a game a foosball and watch them scatter as I make uncomfortable remarks such as hello.

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