Moving now to the elephant on the table we're not hearing much about. Flesh. Not the stuff you cut to insert augmentations and enhancements (bbrrrrrr Dalek Sek aka the, ironically, very lovely Kevin Warwick). The flesh we press together. The stuff we make real love with, real friendships with in the here and now - in "meat space" as William Gibson calls it. The stuff that holds our organs in, our hearts, our minds, our real senses. The stuff that we bring together to create the reason and magic of conferences. The real energy transfer and aggregation.

Next year I humbly request a section, a thread, an ongoing reminder about the need to be grounded. To be HERE. To be on the earth, truly connected, not above and beyond it. That kind of patriarchal arrogance has gotten us into this mess in the first place. Read Joanna Macy's World as Lover, World as Self to get a grip on reality and priorities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Macy

Yes, I applaud the appropriate use of technology for the well being of all beings and the planet we all call home. No, I do not think the hype about Technology as Religion is being well balanced here at LIFT08 (with some noble and Nobel exceptions).

What about practical tips for unplugging. Having run TV Turn Off Week in Australia, I want to hear about Unplug from Computers Week. Dave Stone, a young upandcoming uber geek we know in digital Brighton has just come back online after a much needed break. I want to co-present with him next year in an interactive session that puts the focus back on the flesh. That reminds us how to protect and even enhance our Mental / Emotional / Physical / Spiritual Environment.

A quick search for "internet free week" or a chat with almost anyone at the conference would confirm this is necessary.

The group that met today wanted a way to find each other again. So here's the list, which you can cross-reference with the participant list.

Simple!

Maybe post a comment/reply if you want to raise a thread of discussion with the group in this space. If others want to join in, just leave your name and contact in a reply/comment.

Lovely to meet you all, if ever so briefly!

See you at the surreal fondue thing tonight perhaps...

Libby

Shani Lee
www.creativecoffeeclub.com

Gary Edwards
www.ids.ac.uk

Holm Friebe
www.zentrale-intelligenz-agentur.de

Nicholas Durand
www.gen-gen.com

Andrew Paterson
www.laneo.org

Ximena Excobar de Nogales
www.casin.ch

Libby Davy
www.authenticblogging.com

A summary of Venture Night on my blog, plus first moments...

Waiting to find out more about how our external blog posts are aggregated.

Libby

http://authenticblogging.com/2008/02/06/loving-venture-night-at-lift08/

Hi Laurent et al

Just to clarify as I tap away here in the Salle.

1. Did you really mean us to tag our posts lift08 lift or just lift08?
2. Where will our blog posts from our own blogs aggregate? Or do you want us to post links on the community blog separately.

An answer from anyone would be great, as I am sure Laurent is rawther busy right now.

Cheese

Libby

Hi folks

I don't get in until Wednesday afternoon, and I am keen to meet up. It's my first trip to Geneva and LIFT, and it is only a Wednesday night, but a meal might be nice...

I'm not 100% sure that the Venture Night is my thing. So... is there an alternative meet-up anywhere? Would be great to arrive and slip right on it to things before the conference starts in earnest the next day...

Will people be milling around at the Venture venue, then heading out from there?

Is the Venture essential?

All suggestions most welcome...

Bestest

Libby

Dear Buddies and all

I am reposting this as a direct request for couch surfing. Here are my reasons:

1. There is something about hotels that is just plain wrong. They can be great, but they can be so so bad. And the carbon footprint aint pretty. Plus I feel slightly guilty about heading off without my family and hence cannot allow myself to stay at the kind of hotel that might make it worthwhile.

2. I would prefer to meet local folk, delegates or friends of delegates, if possible. Chance's are it will be much more of a cultural exchange than I'm going to get with the concierge

3. I'm riding a great wave, I'm in the "green room" as we say in Australia, but I'm not rich yet.

4. I would prefer to enjoy reciprocity beyond the basic exchange of cash, by way of professional help I can offer, cooking breakfast, offering you and yours our guestroom in Brighton and that sort of thing.

5. I will out most of the time anyway!

Sooooo... dear Buddies and others. Can anyone put me up from 6-9 Feb? Either a local delegate or one of your lovely friends who might want to join the positive web of friends we share all around the world in Australia, Europe, UK, USA, Shanghai, New Zealand, Peru etc etc.

Any couch/blow up mattress will do.

After LIFT, I am going to head up for some fresh mountain air by rail. Any advice on that most welcome too.

Bestest to you all!

Libby

...........

Hi All

Have just been offered a press pass for LIFT08 and am looking at travel and acommodation now, one week before.

Love the idea of adopt an new attendee and will be taking the advice offered here.

Anyone want to offer advice any (last minute) tips re: budget accommodation and/or travel from Brighton,UK?