But am I missing something here? What’s the point of the live blogging, the tweeting, the impromptu audio, the Qik’ing, etc. if we’re going to get fused about not being able to attend a conference? For whom are we producing all this media? Is _consuming_ the social media created during live events from the comfort of our homes or offices somehow beneath us?

As it happens, I can’t attend either BlogHer or PodCamp Boston. I’m going to New Orleans for a cocktail festival. Anyone who wants to follow MY adventures can do so via Twitter, Utterz, and whatever else I’ve signed up for by next month.

The best thing about so many excellent social media events is that we also have so many good bloggers, podcasters, Tweeters and mainstream media people going and reporting on the events.

So, I feel like all of us have the opportunity to attend and “vicariously” attend events, contribute and learn = Success, Win-Win, Vive la différence, etc.

In closing – gosh blog commenting is easier than Twitter’s space constraints – I salute Laura and Whitney (and others) for basically saying, let’s get creative about how to connect the events and not step on each others social media toes. If you get it, share it – indeed!

In closing again and with really no point other than I like the quote:
“When men and women agree, it is only in their conclusions; their reasons are always different.”
George Santayana (1863-1952)
American Philospher and poet

I’m just jealous because I can’t go to either – @#$!@ weekend conflicts!

Jim | @jstorerj

@margalit – I don’t know you at all, but it sounds like you’ve an axe to grind against BlogHer. To say that it’s not educational and rather just a bunch of parties is not only a disservice, it’s blatantly incorrect.

I’m hearing a defensiveness about the dates from people involved with organizing PodCamp. Let me stress again what I hear Laura and Erin (and others) saying: it’s not about the dates – that happens. It’s about being open with your community about the conflict of dates.

In short folks – it’s about communication, or lack thereof. Which seems to be occurring herein as well.
Honestly? I’m about as likely to get to Boston PodCamp as Leslie is San Francisco BlogHer – because location & expense are big factors for those of us not getting paid to be there or sponsored by someone. But I would hope that if someone went to the BlogHer folks and said “hey, um, you’ve set the dates to overlap w/PodCamp in Boston” they would be as open about it too.

(Yes, I know, I’m dreaming… when you’re an organizer, it always seems like it’s the other guy’s problem.)

Still – Laura didn’t so much post about the dates, as the lack of open communication about the overlap. If you don’t believe me, re-read the title again. It pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Let’s see the overlap as the opportunity it really is. All are encouraged to share ideas here http://podcamp.pbwiki.com/PodHer or by emailing me laura at pistachio consulting dot com or contacting Whitney as she mentioned above.

Thanks again! -LJ

What I would like to point out is that the issue here is not that the dates conflict.

The issue is that you have a major group with a huge potential overlap. The fact that BlogHer’s main date was not only not considered, but that upon reflection, there was no dialogue, is the issue.

According to Chris Brogan’s response, Podcamp skews male, despite the large online presence of women. Perhaps this scheduling conflict could have (and could still be) used as a way to examine this? Possibly some collaboration could help both groups?

I see this post not as a complaint from a BlogHer member who is sad she will miss Podcamp, but as a loyal and contributing member of both groups who wants both groups to thrive.

She feels that an important discussion was not happening and so chose to bring it out to the larger community.

Blogher, the organization, wants to believe that they are as relevant and important as SWSX and the Podcamps. Let’s just compare, shall we? Boston’s Blogher is a 1 day event costing twice the amount of money as Podcamp’s 2 event. Boston’s Blogher has been taking money for more than a month but has NO agenda, and no speakers signed up. Podcamp has speakers and an agenda. Podcamp has a spreadsheet of costs and credits right on their blog. Blogher…. like that would ever happen!

Blogher is more of a social gathering than a learning community. The parties are tantamount to the conference for many of the attendees. They have buttons for blogs that say they’re going to lick other attendees. Really professional. Not.

If Blogher wants to be looked at as a professional organization they need to run it as a professional organization. They keep saying that they have 9 million unique viewers, but have never proven it. I could say that too, but I’d be lying. Dealing with blogher… well, let’s just say I highly doubt those numbers.

And Erin…Blogher IS niche.

You would check the sxsw dates. Why not blogher’s? Thus my education on the size and scope of the conference. We’re not niche.

I hope that makes more sense.