let's talk about sex, baby

Titillating topics: Our picks for the sexiest SXSWi panels that'll send you homewith something to think about

There's no shortage of titillating topics cropping up on this year's list of interactive panels. From sex toys and porn to full-blown narcissism, SXSWi is welcoming the discussion and dissent of traditionally taboo topics.

A tale as old as time, there's something about discussing sexuality in a public forum that makes people simultaneously uncomfortable and excited. You can bet the panels below will be packed to the brim of experts and participants eager to talk about the dirty in a safe environment.

Is online dating successful and/or healthy? Has this digital age made us all narcissist assholes? Can a relationship survive the (inter)webs of temptation? Are we teaching future generations honesty and transparency or simply how to create a strong digital facade?

These are just a few steamy subjects that will be debated in our pick of the sexiest panels, below.

ASL: The Evolution and Future of Online Dating

Friday March 9, 3:30 p.m.

The 90’s introduced people to the wonders of dial-up internet, screen names, and the pursuit of digital romance. The only problem was, we never really knew who was on the other end of the screen. Today, there’s a higher level of transparency thanks to the explosion of social networks and dating sites. But has our capacity for honesty changed online dating? Come find out the answer to the burning question: Has the internet made dating easier?

Fleshlife: The Making of a Webseries

Saturday, March 10 5:00 p.m.

Join Nick, Josh, creative consultant Mark Smoot and Actor/Producer Billy Wise as they take you through the challenges of creating a web series for the worlds number one male sex toy company.

Sex in the Digital Age

Monday, March 12, 12:30 p.m.

Just over a decade ago, when the country was reeling from the aftermath of the Lewinsky scandal, who could have imagined that one day a congressman would be forced to resign from his post after a scandal that involved no sex, no illicit meetings — in fact, nothing more than some online flirting and a few ill advised sexts? Sex in the Digital Age examines how the Internet has transformed our relationship to sexuality: what it's given us, what it's taken away, and how it's transformed our ideas and expectations about how our friends, lovers, and public figures can — and should — behave.

Sex Nets: Pickup Artists vs. Feminists

Saturday, March 10 6:30 p.m.

Are sex-positive feminism and pickup artistry inherently opposed? Are they possibly dependent on each other? Are these methods helping average guys score, or is it an avenue to breed sexual predators? Join a panel of men and women ranging from seasoned pick-up artists, to outspoken feminist bloggers, to those who straddle the line.

Psychology of Narcissism & How it Effects Brands

Sunday, March 11 12:30 p.m.

Society spends increasingly more time online, watching and reading about strangers. Is peep culture creating more narcissists or simply helping us connect through the sharing of our intimacies? Do users share content that they are truly passionate about and believe in or do they simply share content that influences how others perceive them? Is peep culture and narcissism shaping our world, playing a part in marketing and influencing our sharing and buying decisions?

Sex, Dating and Privacy Post-Weinergate

Monday, March 12 5:00 p.m.

We’re living in an age when even powerful politicians can’t keep track of their digital dating trail. Employers and exes are likely reading your words. How can you write about sex, participate in online dating and social networking sites, and still maintain your privacy?

This Talk is NSFW: Nudity and Online Journalism

Tuesday, March 13 5:00 p.m.

Nudity for the sake of nudity is something else entirely (hint: it's porn), but burlesque shows, adult conventions, nudist colonies, performance art and the porn industry are all valid subjects of journalistic inquiry — there just happen to be lots of naked people there too. This talk will explore the unique issues facing bloggers and photographers who cover NSFW events.

unspecified

silicon hills strikes again

Austin nearly tops list of best tech hubs in the South

Photo by Ross Bonander on Unsplash

Austin loves its thriving tech sector.

A new study analyzing top U.S. locales for the tech industry has ranked Austin the No. 2 best tech hub in the South.

The report by commercial real estate platform CommercialCafe examined the top 20 Southern metros across nine metrics, such as the growth rates of tech establishments and employment, median tech earnings, a quality of life index, and more.

Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown ranked second only to Washington, D.C., and was the highest ranked Texas metro.

The study attributes Austin's tech powerhouse status to its growing presence of major tech companies like Tesla, Google, Apple, Dell, and more. The city saw a 25 percent increase in tech company density from 2019 to 2023, the report found, which is the third-highest growth rate out of all 20 metros.

"Moreover, the metro’s tech scene thrives on a diverse range of segments, including AI and green energy (bolstered by the University of Texas), as well as globally recognized events like [South by Southwest]," the report says. "Thus, with tech companies accounting for more than half of all office leasing activity in 2024, Austin remains a magnet for innovation, talent and investment."

Financial security is another influential factor for tech workers in the South, and the Austin metro offers the fourth highest median salaries nationwide, totaling $111,374 each year. That's a fairly competitive income compared to Washington, D.C., which ranked No. 1 in this metric with tech workers earning a median annual salary of $122,070.

Austin's tech earnings has grown by nearly 30 percent over the last five years, yet it still fell behind in comparison to other U.S. metros to rank No. 6 overall. Fayetteville, Arkansas had the highest five-year growth rate in tech earnings, with a 45 percent increase from 2019 to 2023.

"In particular, Austin remains a standout for its vibrant tech community and appeal to companies seeking top talent without the highest costs," the report says. " In total, 12 metros in the South saw median tech earnings surpass $100,000, up from just seven in last year’s study."

Here's how Austin stacked up across the remaining five rankings:

No. 2 – Tech establishment density
No. 2 – Five-year rate of tech patents granted (from 2020 to 2024)
No. 2 – Tech job density
No. 5 – Quality of life index
No. 11 – Tech job growth

In a separate 2024 report, Austin was the No. 7 best tech city nationwide.

Other top Texas tech hubs in the South
The only other Texas metros to earn spots in the report were Dallas-Fort Worth (No. 4) and Houston (No. 9). Most notably, CommercialCafe says Dallas has a far greater diversity when it comes to its tech sector and its thriving economic opportunities.

"Not to be outdone, Dallas-Fort Worth moved up from sixth to fourth in this year’s rankings, driven by a 25.9 percent growth in tech company presence — the second-highest increase among the top 20 metros," the report said. "For instance, companies like iRely (which relocated to Irving, Texas) and Diversified (now in Plano, Texas) have joined homegrown successes, such as StackPath and Bestow."

Houston, on the other hand, led the nation with the highest number of tech patents granted from 2020 to 2024.

"Once synonymous with oil, Houston is increasingly making its mark as a cleantech hub — and patents reflect this shift," the report said. "Yet, even as Houston remains the five-year leader, its 2023 patent output declined slightly, ceding the top spot that year to Austin."

The top 10 best tech metros in the South are:

No. 1 – Washington, D.C.
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 4 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
No. 5 – Huntsville, Alabama
No. 6 – Baltimore, Maryland
No. 7 – Durham, North Carolina
No. 8 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – Charlotte, North Carolina

austin reports innovation tech hubs