« Crazy Making | Main | My New Favorite Blog - The Scabvendor »

March 04, 2008

Comments

Joe Crawford

It feels like this post is in part meant to smear the leadership of BarCampLA. I find that disappointing. A grievance that would be heard and understood would be a substantive one, not made of vague rhetoric about being pushed out or "I have my reasons to not like [them]."

I've been through what you are feeling. I felt it in San Diego several years ago. I came to understand that I could not control a community that in its essence is empowered technologically and ultimately decentralized. I could influence and lead, I could not control. When I figured that out, I had the moral high ground and increased my influence and credibility. It was a blast and was a blessing in my life.

I wish you only the best and hope you get satisfaction from your life and career in all things. I wish you that without irony and from a place of empathy.

heathervescent

Joe - the reasons I am not specific with my grievances is because I somehow don't feel comfortable naming names online on a blog. I've alluded to the situation on my barcampLA groups posts - and if you can read between the lines of those messages, you might get an idea of the specifics... actually, I'll email you the specifics, and let you make your own decision.

Sean Bonner

You haven't named names but you've been so specific it's pretty hard for anyone to not know who you are talking about. IMHO one of the things that makes someone look really bad is to constantly take round about snipes at other people, while never actually saying any thing they can respond to.

I think if you have issue with Jason and Crystal you should address them, publicly or privately, with exactly what you are upset about and let them respond to that. Then you've said your piece and can move on however you see fit. This nit picky back and forth shit doesn't make anyone look good.

heathervescent

Sean - you're totally right. But how many times do you reach out to people and give them a chance privately before giving up? I guess I'll try one more time.

anonymous coward

I just want to chip in... I don't know all the beef you're referring to behind the scenes.

But why are you mad that the community isn't coordinating with you over events? That's really arrogant. Who are you to say which events go or not? Who are you to say whether an event makes money or not?

You left with 'all these event exploded on the scene with no coordination with eachother'? Wow, what an amazing time that was - clearly a critical mass was forming that was beyond anyone one person to help maintain. Do other major scenes in LA have such tight management of given events?

Maybe so many events mean single personalities like yours (and egos) will be drowned out in the noise. What a refreshing and mature thing to have happen. Bring it on. I want to be part of it.

legalyste

I fully understand the issue - LA is a town where everyone is trying to "make the show." In that respect, it is very different from many other places - where business can be done without simultaneously trying to muscle one's way into the spotlight.

What is often missing in LA is the recognition that power doesn't have to be all-encompassing and in-your face, but instead can be subtle and generous. I understand Heather's approach - which best resembles the generous host of a party - and very much respect it. It is an approach that recognizes that if we raise the water, we all float higher. The community needs to recognize that, too.

heathervescent

Dear Anon Coward, I admit, it is egotistical to ask people to coordinate with me before doing their thing. That's not what I'm talking about. I do not want to hold the reins of power. I want to enable people to be successful and their success is directly proportional to the community fostering.

If you want to jump into the game - I would say go for it! In fact, I will personally support you in that - sharing my best practices and experiences to make you successful. If you only left an email address....

heathervescent

legalyste - thanks for getting it. It's not about climbing the pyramid - it's about raising it from the bottom. I really like the way you described it - raising the water and we all float higher. I only hope that others get that too instead of focusing on the pettiness.

heathervescent

Note to self/update: it's so easy to resolve things when both parties step up to the table. Just recently someone and I resolved a small tiff ending with "let's let bygones be bygones". So easy - when you respond with something other than no response. Last chance was met with this same no response. But I'll probably keep trying to reach out cause that's how I am - and that's those more enlightening would do. But at least I have the most recent reminder of certain people's way of dealing with these hard things by ignoring them. They will not resolve on their own.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Your Information

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

My Photo

Mailing List

  • Sign up

Heather Vescent


  • How can I help you?

Podcasts

  • Helping you understand the future.

  • Helping you understand the future.