SXSW is happening this week and I've been spending a lot of time volunteering and going to events. One of the most striking things about the whole enormous endeavor - besides the multiple manifestations of mobile communication technology - is the passionate pursuit of free stuff. Swag. Especially free food (and drink).
But you know what they say about free lunches. Adobe had offered a free brunch online - and then when the badgeless folks showed up to claim their due, they found out that the brunch was being held on a floor that was badge-only access. Wah-wah.
It's kind of astounding to see techies and film nerds jostling in line for free beer, popcorn, chips, cookies. Just around the corner they could get a real free lunch, every weekday, but somehow I doubt they'd be interested.
And then there's the volunteers - thousands of us. Only those who work 6 or more hours in the Convention Center - which theoretically doesn't allow outside food in - are given meal tickets for the SXSW volunteer hospitality lunch. It's free(ish, if you don't count your volunteer hours as needing compensation) and even pretty healthy. Special diets not particularly accommodated though. Working front of house requires handling angry vegans.
BTW someone could make a killing next year with a few strategically placed, reasonably priced vegan/vegetarian carts around the ACC.
What would you do for a free lunch?
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