Backchannels

The backchannel is busy and chatty at this conference, but so far it is dominated by a small group of participants. Watching the comments scroll by and go between playful and serious is an interesting study of power, self-assertiveness and social connections. I find myself becoming caught up in watching who says what to whom and how rather than listening or caring about what is really said, and I find myself wondering how this will work to enhance the conference.