Reflections on Ignite Minneapolis

Ignite Minneapolis last night was a lot of fun. I put on a humorous performance, and those looking to laugh were not disappointed.

But what about those looking to learn?

Today, instead of feeling great, I find myself feeling a bit foolish, like I've let people down. Why didn't I take it more seriously? I have ideas. Why didn't I share them?

Upon reflection, I feel like everything that happened was a logical result of my entire Ignite experience.

My experience
A few weeks ago, at two successive events, both Pete Barry and Mykl Roventine approached me to say, "Are you doing Ignite? You have to do Ignite!" Knowing nothing about the event, I told them I'd sign up. And because of what I'm aware Pete and Mykl know about me, I assumed they encouraged me because I could make people laugh.

I looked at the website. It said things like "wonkish," further reinforcing the notion that humor was the way to go. By the time I'd read everything and heard epic tales of Jen Kane's "Douchebags" and Pete Barry's "Orange. WTF?," I was absolutely convinced this should be comedy. I signed up and refused to watch any former presentations to avoid polluting my own originality.

I submitted my deck, filled with inanity and (I hoped) hilarity. I rehearsed an accent. I was set.

Then, the day before the event, @IgniteMpls tweets about Global Ignite Week.

What?!

So I looked into Global Ignite Week, and it's kind of a big deal. People are getting together to share ideas. Knowledge. Useful information.

And here I am, sharing... a performance. That's it. Laugh though you might, after viewing my presentation, your only takeaway can be, "Wow - neat performance."

Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. I think it's OK to entertain. But there are some smart people out there with some high expectations, who I wish I could have impressed.

Additionally, I don't want Minneapolis' Ignite to turn into a giant exercise in mental masturbation, which, let's face it, is all comedy is.

"You're being too critical."
Am I? Is it unreasonable for me to expect great things from this community? To expect that we come together and start something, rather than just to drink beers and laugh?

There is a time and place for comedy, and maybe Ignite is not it. Great ideas punctuated by jokes? Wonderful. My presentation? Tripe. And I'm a little embarrassed.

Please - I am NOT fishing for compliments. I've been complimented enough in the past 12 hours to inflate my ego to a dangerous, might-not-fit-through-doors-soon level.

What I want is change. I want Minneapolis to rally and do more than just show up. I want us to be a think tank, a community known nationally - internationally - for generating incredible ideas.

We're capable of it. We just need to re-frame, change our approach. We can do big things, huge things, if we find the right people.

In sum
Ignite Minneapolis was really great at being what it was, but I think it could be much more.