TWE – 1/3rd Done. What Do We Think?

The lights are now dimming across the event, and but for the spotlights on stage and the constant burning glare of the press and green rooms, TWE is now feeling much more like a night club. Bands are heading onto the stage for an evening of music
We’re now a third of the way through TWE and I decided to step out of talks and ask some of the “Talent” how they felt the event was going, and sound out those watching the webcast how they felt it was shaping up.

The general consensus online is the event is a hit. They’re seeing people talk with passion about a history that has been mythologised. Some sessions are more popular than others, and the session with John Robb going on as I type seems to be getting particular love. It seems a shame that they’re not able to interact with the event directly, but that’s a small oversight: they generally seem happy.
Within the “Talent” invited, opinions are more mixed. Given this was pitched as “a conversation”, some feel that it is too directional. One writer suggested it was more like a series of University lectures. Occasionally a few of them will break out of their shell and go and approached the “Experienced” people invited to host sessions, but in general the dialogue seems much more one way.
Whilst it makes sense for “Experience” to reminisce and discuss their experience, many here were hoping for much more interactivity.
The organisers, I’m sure, will point out that it’s up to the audience to make the event their own. During the early part of the day, many speakers ended their talks by inviting the audience to “tell us to shut up” and “interrupt and do what you want”. So far the audience have been pretty respectful, but as the night rolls on and the alcohol flows, maybe things will become more… Mancunian.