I am probably more envious and jealous today than I was while Blogher was actually in session. Large gatherings of women are amazing things and here are some examples of what I mean (click the links, they’ll open in a new window and you won’t lose your place!):
The quickest and easiest way to get an idea about what makes women driven gatherings and men driven gatherings different is to take a look at the photos from Blogher vs Gnomedex that TW linked to (thank you Denise for making me write that blog post, TW says or should say). Which event would YOU rather attend; the one with all of the obvious emotion or the one that’s stiff and stodgy looking?
You could also take a peek at Nancy White’s comments, as Scoble also suggested you do. Her thoughts about community are what make her the “Blogher” I’d most like to meet, (though after reading all of these recaps, some others are running close seconds and thirds!) And don’t miss this prime example of why she remains at the top of my list. Nancy White gets it!
And then there were the celebrity sightings! Oh My (insert deity) DOOCE!!! LOL I do not know how many times I have read that over the course of the last few days but I laugh every time I see it. I love women gushing over their heroes! (Do the guys gush over Scoble? I bet they don’t!) I’ve been the gusher and the gushy and from everything I read it appears that everyone did it just right!
And then there was another celebrity, La Queen Sucia, who made some (IMO) great comments about not generalizing about men but turned around and shut down her blog (which has now been removed so I can’t even link you to it so you can read for yourself – you can, however, read a really nice post about the incident at Blogher) and in doing so suggested we all turn off our computers, quit blogging and head outside for a walk – where it’s real. (As a side note, while I appreciate La Queen Sucia’s choice and support it I was appalled at the fact that she suggested we all stop blogging and find something real. So, I suggest you all take her advice the next time you consider picking up her chick lit – a term she finds offensive and a term that I adore – and instead, turn on your computer and blog or read some blogs. There is some really REAL stuff going on in the Blogosphere, it doesn’t just happen in chick lit or while walking in the park).
Speaking of real – it doesn’t get more real than another woman whose work I’ve respected, Amy Gahran, forever! I have linked Contentious so many times! I can’t even begin to tell you how many. Some of my friends and coworkers probably think I’ve got some secret crush on her, that’s how many times I’ve linked her! And look, she does it again – she takes on Winer and she comes out like you wouldn’t believe. I have total respect, TOTAL.
Speaking of OUT, ha! I love that Koan Bremner flew all the way across the world and took this type of chance. Strong women ROCK! (Listen to the MP3 later, it’s fantastic!) I hope next year she bites a bigger bullet and attends a mommy blogger session. It won’t be easy but I think it would be healthy. I’ll sit next to her in the audience and support her!
There are dozens more wonderful Blogher posts and recaps and bloggers that you really HAVE to go and visit. I can’t link them all or talk about them all, I don’t have TIME! Click the blogroll, add them to your feeds, do whatever it takes to make these women a part of your life. It will be worth it.
And last but not least, why women’s gatherings are Better Than Christmas