Top 5: Things to Nerd Out Over

Brace yourself, nerd jokes are coming.

There’s a lot to nerd out about at SXSW. Picking out the nerdiest aspects of the conference is like fishing the One Ring out of the Anduin River.

Here are the top 5 things to nerd out over at SXSW:

5. Jessica Chobot

Jessica Chobot
Jessica Chobot

When: Tuesday, March 11, 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Austin Downtown

When you work for a website called Nerdist, you know you’ve got some serious nerd street cred. Jessica Chobot hosts the Nerdist News weekly video segment and has worked at IGN and G4, back when G4 was still cool. Plus she’s currently the lead writer for Daylight, a zombie video game for the PS4.

Chobot will bring her nerd power as emcee of the 17th Annual SXSW Interactive Awards.

4. Techie Trekkies

When: Sunday, March 9, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon JK

Rod Roddenberry
Rod Roddenberry

Hashtag: #sxsw #tricorder

There are several Star Trek related panels this year. The SXSW website even provided a list of recommendations for Trek lovers to attend, but there’s one panel to really get your dilithium crystals going: Techie Trekkies: Bringing Star Trek to Life.

This panel will look at the the futuristic technology in Star Trek and how that technology is becoming a reality. Specifically, it will focus on the medical tricorder and how it could revolutionize medicine.

The biggest reason this panel is the Next Generation of Star Trek panels is because of its presenter: Rod Roddenberry, son of Gene Roddenberry. I assume if you’ve made it this far you know who Gene Roddenberry is.

3. SXSW Geek Stage

When: Friday, March 7, 1-9 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 12-8 p.m., Sunday, March 9, 12-8 p.m.

Where: Palmer Events Center, Exhibit Hall 1

Comixology is the top grossing digital platform for comic books, and they even have a panel scheduled for Saturday, but the all weekend event happening at the Geek Stage should be more interesting than Clark Kent trying to find a phone booth to change in.

The Geek Stage will be featuring the newest and coolest in video games, comics, movies, TV, and tech. Plus, it’s free to the public!

2. SXSWesteros

When: March 7-11

Where: Austin Music Hall

Hashtag: #GOTExhibit

Game of Thrones fans rejoice! Westeros is coming to Austin in the form of Game of Thrones: The Exhibition. Don’t worry, there will be no Red Wedding, and I’m sure Winter won’t come, HBO GOT Exhibit_SXSW_Final but the exhibition of over 100 pieces from all four seasons of the show should be enough to make anyone worship the Old Gods.

Not only can you see props, armor, and weapons from the show, but there is also a submersive virtual reality experience that will let you experience life in Westeros. Add to that a chance to sit on the Iron Throne and this might be the ultimate destination for any Game of Thrones fan. Just try not to lose your head (too soon?).

1. Neil deGrasse Tyson

When: Saturday, March 8, 2-3 p.m.

Where: Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 5

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson should probably host his panel from the Iron Throne because he has quickly become King of the Nerds. An astrophysicist that is reviving the classic Cosmos for a new generation, Tyson has become the leading voice in the universe on, well, the universe.

A frequent guest on The Daily Show, Tyson’s popularity is only furthered by his charm and humor. He’s the first scientist with over a million Twitter followers, and will gladly tell you why Gravity got gravity wrong.

Tyson’s keynote speech is one that almost every conference goer should attend, but if you’re looking to get your nerd on, you can’t miss it.

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