Until last week, never before had I known the world of a tech conference-goer, a mobile journalist, or a FOMO-stricken food truck-dieting nerd. It was a multitude of sensory-overload experiences, and unlike any virginity-losing story I’ve ever heard, I just want to go back and do it all over again. Naturally, I made some decisions that I would do differently, but I also learned a few things that are worth sharing.
As an introvert, I have special powers that do not bode well in environments like SXSW. Thanks to our team guidance counselor, Cindy Royal, who graciously patronized my obtuse stubbornness, I discovered that most people do not notice your sweating armpits when you talk to them on camera. Most of the time, I was concentrating hard to mimic our inspiring Megan Gray. At this point, I still cannot envision my future in broadcast journalism, but I can say I’m happy to have had this opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, courtesy of a few well-deserved nudges. The people of SXSW, panelists and enthusiasts alike, are thrilled about the stuff that goes on at the conference; and the lively and forgiving environment was the perfect place to think and move on the fly, follow your gut from panel to taco, and ask almost anyone your burning questions.
At the Texas State Innovation Lab, I truly felt proud to be a bobcat. I also learned that I turn into a duck when I speak and would like to know why no one has ever mentioned this to me before (though this could just be my subconscious steering me away from the camera again). I found Ira Glass to be overwhelmingly charming, and somehow, Esther Perel graciously earned even more of my respect than I knew I had available.
When Elon Musk surprised me and a room full of Westworld fans, my SXSW experience might have peaked. He spoke apprehensively into the microphone (while simultaneously stealing my sympathy–perhaps an overarching theme of my SXSW experience), played the below trailer of his most recent accomplishment, and I cried for the perseverance of humanity.
Not everything was awesome, and that’s totally okay! I spent approximately 18 minutes in the most arrogant mansplaining session I’ve ever heard. I spent somewhere between $5 and $50 on Lyft rides. I threw my lactose-intolerance awareness out the window. I spoke over several guttural foreign-languages and felt embarrassed for my underdeveloped Spanish. I continuously forgot what day it was.
On Friday evening, a bartender passed me a drink that I did not pay for and smiled. My shoes were sticking to the floor and I was struck by an exhaustion-induced reflective pause: I am about to enjoy a show that I did not pay for, yet was granted priority access simply because of the badge around my neck, and ipso facto, will enjoy said gratis beverage. I spent the entire day listening to the brilliant minds of people who garnered my attention because of what they shared with me through technology. Could 2018 get any better? The light show was mesmerizing in all its advanced-tech glory, but in that moment, I felt happy and grateful to be alive among brilliant, boundary-pushing humans. SXSW showed me that we should always be getting together to share our discoveries, to sing and dance, and to revel in the thrill of learning what happens when you step out of your comfort zone.