Lecture Notes: Priya Parker's Keynote at South by Southwest 2022

Opening Remarks

• Introduction by the host welcoming Priya Parker as the opening speaker.
• Priya expresses delight in being present with the audience physically.
• Shares an anecdote about the previous year as a virtual closing speaker.
• Husband Anand received compliments for his boots.

Main Theme: The Meaning of Gathering in 2022

• Gathering Purpose: Not just for celebration but also for mourning, grieving, and making sense of world events.
• Current events discussed: Ukraine invasion, anti-trans directives, abortion rights.
• Importance of gathering to engage with the world, not just escape.

Reflections on the Pandemic and Gatherings

• Strange timing of the Ukraine invasion as the pandemic restrictions eased.
• Highlighting resilience needed over the past years due to COVID and global conflicts.
• Emphasis on gathering to make meaning and understand various issues at personal and community levels.

Impact of the Pandemic on Gathering

• Cancellation of South by Southwest in March 2020 marked a significant realization of the pandemic's seriousness.
• Public health and authority questions in canceling large events.
• Shift in the meaning and approach towards gatherings due to social distancing.

Virtual Gatherings and Their Efficacy

• Emergence of virtual gatherings as an alternative.
• Examples of meaningful virtual events (e.g., Zoom weddings).
• While virtual gatherings are possible, in-person gatherings offer spontaneity and informal connections that virtual ones lack.

Audience Interaction and Engagement

• Priya engages the audience with exercises to reflect on the meaning of gathering and personal experiences.
• Encourages interaction with partners to discuss motivations for attending the event and meaningful virtual gatherings.

Questions About Returning to the Office

• Mixed reactions on returning fully to the office versus remote work.
• Questions to guide organizations:
  • When have you longed to be together?
  • What did you not miss?
  • What did you invent that works well?
  • What might you experiment with?
• Importance of understanding when physical presence is necessary for work.

Gathering Insight and Courage

• Gathering and guesting require courage and observation.
• Anecdote of a retirement lunch turned meaningful through engagement.
• Encouragement to create meaning and connect meaningfully.

Priya Parker's New Project

• Launching "The Art of Gathering Digital Course" in late spring.
• Opportunity for the audience to sign up for updates and resources on meaningful gatherings.

Audience Q&A

• Opportunity for audience interaction through questions posed on Slido or direct engagement.
• Emphasis on the power of gatherings to shape conversations and foster connections.