SXSW on March 10: 15 Hidden Gems
The Forrest Four-Cast: March 9, 2019
Looking to fill some gaps in your SXSW schedule? Check out these fascinating discussions — all happening on Sunday, March 10.
Covering the Child-Separation Crisis at the Border
Explore the reporting behind one of the Trump Administration’s most controversial immigration policies — deporting parents without their children — and the ongoing child-separation crisis at the border.
11 am-noon, JW Marriott
Rejuvenating Economies in the Heartland
How do communities in the Heartland rejuvenate their communities and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that diversifies local economies, injects new life into existing businesses and prevents talent drain when most venture capital funds flow to coasts?
11 am to noon, Hilton Austin Downtown
The Language of Aroma: Designing for Inclusivity
Humans can distinguish at least one trillion distinct smells. This collaborative panel between TEALEAVES, luxury tea blender, Microsoft Inclusive Design, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, will discuss how inclusive design principles can be used to enhance the ability to receive information, explore the world, and experience joy and wonder through aroma.
11 am-noon, JW Marriott
Conversations About America’s Future: Former Governor John Hickenlooper
Former Governor John Hickenlooper, with Buzzfeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith, will speak at Conversations About America’s Future, a series of talks presented by SXSW, in collaboration with The Texas Tribune, that will bring together some of the nation’s top political leaders whose ideas and vision for the future will shape our country through 2020 and beyond.
12:30–1:30 pm, Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater
How Innovation in Israel Makes the World a Better Place
This talk focuses on how this small country of less than 9 million people, with few natural resources, a small population, and is surrounded by enemies, has become a font of innovation. This is the story of how Israeli technology is helping billions of people around the world.
12:30–1:30 pm, Hilton Austin Downtown
The City Hall Blueprint For Running the Country
Mayors are relied on to get stuff done. They can’t afford to play political games or shut down their governments. Featuring the mayors of Dallas and Miami and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, this discussion will examine how a mayor could turn running a city into a successful model for Washington.
2–3 pm, Hilton Austin Downtown
HBCUs & Emerging Technologies
HBCUs provide pathways of opportunity for millions of first generation college students. This panel will discuss the steps needed to ensure HBCUs are equipped and positioned to provide course curriculum for emerging technologies like AI, IoT, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
2–3 pm, JW Marriott
Secrets, Stories & Surprises From PostSecret
Frank Warren is the sole founder of the PostSecret Project, a growing collection of over a million secrets, mailed to him on postcards. He travels the world sharing the transformative power of secrets, and at SXSW will share some extraordinary secrets and stories.
2–3 pm, JW Marriott
Leveling the Playing Field for Minorities in Sports
How do sports industry leaders bring more diversity onto their own teams, understanding that diversity breeds innovation? This panel will highlight the women and men who are working to level the playing field, igniting an inclusive conversation around intentional initiatives.
2–3 pm, JW Marriott
The Sun Beneath Our Feet: Our Geothermal Future
If we could drill into the earth 5 to 10 miles down, we could create unlimited, CO2 free, clean energy. So why haven’t we? A consortium has formed at the University of Texas at Austin, combining legacy drilling engineering expertise with our robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, to solve the technical and engineering problems and catalyze a geothermal renaissance by 2030.
3:30–4:40 pm, Fairmount Manchester EFG
How To Cover Neo-Nazis Safely (And Keep Your Job)
HuffPost’s reporter Luke O’Brien and editor-in-chief, Lydia Polgreen will explain the tactics of disinformation campaigns used by political extremists that target the media — and give you tips to ensure you don’t fall victim.
3:30–4:30 pm, JW Marriott
Womanhood, Motherhood, and Entrepreneurship
Gender equality is a hot topic, but what does it really mean in the world of entrepreneurship? Through real-life accounts of gender bias (magnified for mothers and women of color), this panel paints womanhood and motherhood not as a hindrance to entrepreneurship, but as essential to creating a healthier, wealthier, and more equitable world.
3:30–4:30 pm, Hilton Austin Downtown
The Human Cost of Journalism
Free societies depend on truth and transparency, but in the era of #fakenews, journalism is under siege. This panel, which includes Karen Attiah, the editor of murdered Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi, will examine the current dangers for journalists, and explore potential solutions for protecting the freedom of information, and reporters’ lives.
3:30–4:30 pm, JW Marriott
Opioid Use Disorder and Mass Incarceration
Panelists will discuss why people in the criminal justice system are at increased risk for death from overdose, and what startups and community members can do to reduce mortality and taxpayer spending on mass incarceration.
3:30–4:30 pm, JW Marriott
The Promise and Perils of New Space
Dr. Tom Markusic, CEO of Austin-based rocket company Firefly Aerospace, will present a wide-ranging discussion of “NewSpace,” the private, commercial approach to increasing access to and utilization of space. He’ll include an overview of how rockets work, how “stuff” gets to space, and the incredible promise that awaits humanity in our exploration of the stars.
5–6 pm, Hilton Austin Downtown
Hugh Forrest serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, the world’s most unique gathering of creative professionals. He also tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they focus on books, pop culture, sports and other current events.
