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.
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.