Looking to the Future

So what's next?

At a festival like SXSW Interactive, which kicks off March 9, that's the Big Question. Especially after a rocky year like this one. Well, we hate to disappoint, but: We don't have the answers. Instead, we have thoughts and ideas and concepts from tech people we respect and admire. Locally, that's folks like the 21st Century Project's Gary Chapman and Austin Free-Net's Ana Sisnett. But we also talk to some of the industry smarties coming to town -- the inimitable DJ Spooky, Salon editor David Talbot, Inside editor Michael Hirschorn, and those lucky bastards who made "405," the hottest film online. That list is pretty telling -- more so than ever, SXSW Interactive 2001 can boast panelists who represent interests all across the board. Other speakers include Freenet creator Ian Clarke, graphic designer Scott McCloud, and Burning Man Festival's Larry Harvey. There is even a panel on "Wearable Computers." Who knew?

But even if you won't be attending SXSW Interactive, there's another way you can participate. Click onto sxsw.com and check out the SXSW Web Awards finalists. It's a highly addicting, thoroughly entertaining experience. While you're there, vote for your favorite in the "People's Choice Awards." You can also check out the festival line-up in the eight-page SXSW insert in this issue.

But now it's time to get on with the ideas -- not the answers, but the ideas. Before we do that, though, I want to thank Erica C. Barnett for her top-notch editing and counsel, and Johnny Depp for everything else.