I am deep in listening mode, reading every thread I can find about the opportunity presented by a global conference for women bloggers. As I continue to take some days off from posting (primarily to read all of your writings and emails instead), I want to confirm two things:
(1) This summer's conference is called Bloghercon.
Bloghercon is coming to an as-yet-unannounced location in Summer 2005, along with an as-yet-unlaunched Web entity for everyone's participation and enjoyment. Dave Winer politely requested that I change the name to something that is less like his brainchild, Bloggercon. Here's what I think:
One little letter delivers a world of perspective.
That's the whole point. So for now it's Bloghercon, with the caveat that when the conference convenes, the community may well come up with a name they like better. Great--let's find out.
(2) Bloghercon is pro-women. Not anti-men.
"Bloghercon [i]s a way of expanding the network, not making it more inclusive. It's a way for women who blog to connect, not a way to disconnect with men who blog. In fact, the upshot could be to establish even more connections to the blogging community in general." -- Sylvia Paull from a comment she left here
This has been and is my message and Elisa Camahort's message all along.
The outpouring of interest across the Web has convinced me that the time has come for Bloghercon, a global forum devoted to the work and experiences of women bloggers--an event (real and virtual) designed to make it easier for Web users to find women's voices.
With that, I'm off to read again. More soon.
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Related posts (a too-limited list! Please keep adding yours to the comments/trackbacks--unfortunately the realities of the day job are forcing me to keep this list shorter than I'd like):
“Bloghercon 2005: Is this the way to run with Halley's Comment?” By Lisa Stone
“Bloghercon: Now the cat can really be let out of the bag” By Elisa Camahort
“Should Bloghercon be open to men?” By Lisa Stone
"Some Bloghercon reaction begs for clarification" By Elisa Camahort
More:
Burningbird (See comments)
Elisa Camahort (one of many posts)
Jude Nagurney Camwell (An example of the Bloghercon spirit in action)
Charlene Li (Also see comments by Adverblog and Search Gal)
Nancy White (one of many posts)
Technorati Tags: Bloghercon, women, blogging, blogs
"Bloghercon is pro-women. Not anti-men."
Excellent distinction! Very well said.
Posted by: AF | March 15, 2005 at 05:00 PM
Will the 'con be held in the ladies' restroom at a convention hall? Isn't that where women congregate en masse to talk about "important subjects to women"?
*runs and hides*
Posted by: Dossy | March 15, 2005 at 05:18 PM
AF: Thank you!
Dossy: (grin) I can only speak for myself. And the answer's noooo--that's where I go to talk about things that some men might find the most interesting.
Posted by: Lisa Stone aka Surfette | March 15, 2005 at 05:41 PM
Think "St. Louis"
Inexpensive, centrally located, good weather in June, great blues and great regional cook, and the meeting place between north and south, east and west.
The Arch
The Sip
Old Muddy
Home of Mark Twain -- he loved women
And we have really big ladies rooms here -- perfect for meeting.
Posted by: Shelley | March 15, 2005 at 10:10 PM
I think it's GREAT ya'll are starting Bloghercon! It is so important that women meet to discuss their unique voices on blogs. For real! Lots of men know this to be true. My girlfriend Ruby is the best blogger I know and smart as hell! She inspires me daily. ROCK ON!
p.s. Ignore any detractors.
Posted by: Brian R. | March 19, 2005 at 05:07 PM
My pal just emailed me and said when she clicks on the Nancy White link she goes to Iddybiddy. It is fun to see how many women I know read your blog. Funny, how these connections show us yet more connections!
Posted by: Nancy | March 20, 2005 at 07:18 PM
Dear Lisa,
I'm late coming to this discussion and haven't read every single thread/post, but can I humbly interject here that we just dispense altogether with addressing the "man-hating" crap? Let's be very clear that that is merely a distraction and a ploy to get us talking about topics not of our choosing. I mean, the idea that women who come together to discuss blogging would waste our time on "ridiculing men" or whatever is laughable.
My thoughts:
1) Thanks for this great idea. Of course there should be a Bloghercon!
2) That's a great name. Keep it.
3) Did anyone explicitly state that Bloghercon is not open to men? If no one said "Boys keep out!", I'm wondering why we're talking about it. The men drawn to this will be cool men like Brian R. above. As for the weirdo minority who are stuck in the Dark Ages, I can't imagine their disruptive efforts would be very successful given the likely ratios in the room. Let them come and learn something. No skin off our nose. One guy in a room of 1200 women isn't going to be able to make much of a stink, methinks.
3a) All boohooing about "man-bashing" henceforth should be ignored.
4) IMHO, design by (huge) committee just means trouble. This Bloghercon cannot be all things to all people. Find the 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 most relevant current issues and work up a tight, strong agenda. (I know this is easier said than done!) You could, for a period of time, take suggestions for topics and weight them according to most interest/votes.
5) Per the tight, strong agenda above, leave room for some sessions of experimentation, free form discussion, or the you-forgot-this! catch-all.
6) Per the tight, strong agenda above, pt. 2, send the agenda out as far in advance as you can. Get people used to the format and the issues to be discussed. This will also allow them time to say, "That topic we forgot; let's meet Sat. during lunch to discuss it in Room B."
7) Anton Zuiker created a wiki for our NC Bloggercon, and it was wonderfully effective. I can't seem to link directly to it right now, but he's a wonderful guy who would be happy to help. One especially nice aspect was the list of attendees with links to their blogs, so anyone who was interested could check out the blogs of those attending. Instant blogroll!
8) Remind people that this is the first Bloghercon. There will be others. There will be other topics discussed. Everything cannot be covered in one conference. And then remind them again!
9) No crybabies. This is being done in the spirit of addressing women's blogging culture and concerns.
10) Have fun! You've started a wonderful thing! Thanks again! I look forward to reading more.
Posted by: ae | March 25, 2005 at 06:37 AM
AE -- Poetry indeed. Thanks mucho for the post. I hope you plan to join us!
Posted by: Lisa Stone aka Surfette | March 25, 2005 at 01:07 PM
Dear Lisa,
You'll see me there! Thanks again for all your hard work to launch this important conference. I know the interest in and support for this idea will surprise us all.
Bloghers Unite!
xo,
ae
Posted by: ae | March 26, 2005 at 08:32 AM
This conference sounds fabulous. What can I do to help make it happen? What kind of assistance is needed most at this point?
I can present, organize, help prepare materials, etc.
Let me know what you need.
- Amy Gahran
Editor, CONTENTIOUS
Posted by: Amy Gahra | April 12, 2005 at 08:39 PM