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SXSW Panel: What Do I Do With Myself, Now that the Economy Has Collapsed?
Panel title: What Do I Do With Myself, Now that the Economy Has Collapsed?
Date and time: Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Panelists: Andy Baio, Writer/Coder for Waxy.org; Lane Becker, Pres. of Get Satisfaction Inc.; Ben Brown, founder XOXCO; Jane Mount, 20x200; Michael Sippey, VP Prod. for Six Apart Ltd.
The gist: Veterans all of the ‘99-2000 dotcom bust, the panelists shared their stories of scraping by and later succeeding in the tech world. One of the most important lessons offered was the importance of staying in contact with colleagues and friends and following interests as a way to find new opportunities.
Quotes: “Now is a much better time than when we were at the top of the bubble. I hate bubbles. Where we are now gives you the chance to think and explore, but in 1999 everyone was in a constant hurry, working all the time to take your company public. But that’s not why you came into it in the first place. Now, you work on the company you want… then you try to sell it to Yahoo or CNet.” — Lane Becker
Takeaways: Down times are times to try new things. Even if it means working as a waitress or taking a straight 9-5 job as a primary income, use free time to dabble in other projects you find interesting and explore new skills and hobbies. Combined, those efforts usually lead to new and exciting careers. Becker admitted that might sound a little “too California,” but he and the other panelists have found it to be true multiple times.
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