What’s similar between the concepts and principles behind Web2.0 and unconferences?
Is it a coincidence that the adoption and popularity of barcamps, unconferences has coincided with the emergence of Web 2.0? Are there any parallels and similarities between the underlying principles of Web2.0 & barcamps, unconferences? After all both web2.0 & unconferences are about user generated content, architecture of participation etc.. etc..
I have tried to map the web 2.0 principles from the seminal article on Web 2.0; Oreilly: The Web 2.0 Design Patterns and tried to map them to the underlying principles of unconferences — and I see a striking similarity between both.
So; are unconeferences as the Web 2.0 equivalent of conferences? I bet they are..
Web 2.0 Principles |
Unconference Principles
|
| architecture of participation | The basic premise behind the unconference philosophy. Every one participates. The (un)structure of barcamps, unconferences is such that it makes it easy for everyone to participate - in the manner they want. |
| self organized | The participants themselves are the organizers. There is no ‘official organizer’. Every participant is welcome to volunteer and organize some aspect of the barcamps, unconference. |
| Emergent | The agenda, content and even schedule is not pre decided. Everything emerges at run time and from the participants themselves as the barcamp, unconference unfolds |
| Perpetual beta | Some unconference sessions can be washouts. It is taken in stride and no body minds that aspect. In fact participants just walk over to some other session |
| Gets better as more people use it | The more the merrier. You can break away into smaller groups and start your own sessions |
| Informal & light weight | No keynotes, welcome address, 5 star ambiance etc. no frills, no flashy brochures, no marketing, just to the point |
| Harnessing collective intelligence | Every one is a participant. There is no distinction between the speaker & the audience. Everyone contributes |
| Rich user experiences | Extreme socialization & interaction between participants. Here it goes beyond exchanging business cards and networking. You exchange thoughts ideas. You can even enter into a dialogue, debate and even make some of your best friends here. |
| Users add value | “The audience is smarter than the speaker”… A fundamental aspect of the unconference. It is the users, the participants who make the unconference successful & add value - as opposed to formal conferences, where it’s the speakers who are perceived as adding value. |
| Cooperate, not control | Nobody controls the unconference. It is delivered not by control but by the cooperation of participants, volunteers. |
