Reflections on WDS 2012
photo credit: armosa studios
The 2012 World Domination Summit wrapped up this past weekend.
And, unless you have been sequestered in a monastery, in silent meditation without internet access, you can barely get a pixel’s distance from the phrase World Domination Summit.
That is, of course, if you are on the web with any regularity and have a hunger for alternatives to the status quo and defining life on your own terms.
The World Domination Summit, or WDS, is a now-annual gathering of mindful revolutionaries, many of whom are internet entrepreneurs dedicated to a life of nonconformity (however one might define that term). Most people who attend WDS are cubicle escapees (see my friend, Pam Slim’s book, Escape From Cubicle Nation for more on that), or looking to escape, with a few brave souls seeking change within the confines of a traditional work setting.
As I mentioned in my pre-WDS post last week, WDS is the brainchild of Chris Guillebeau and his all-volunteer team. In its second year, WDS grew from 500 to 1,000 participants since year one, with a wait list of nearly 5,000 hopefuls who didn’t have the luck or a secret link to score a ticket.
Unlike the first year, which was far more intimate, this year’s event was pretty overwhelming for me. That’s not to say that last year’s Summit wasn’t overwhelming, but this year was really overwhelming. The older I get, the less I like crowds. Apparently, this aversion to so much stimuli made me a nonconformist in a sea of nonconformists.
But I don’t mind being the outsider’s outsider; I’m dedicated to telling the truth, my truth, about my experience at WDS in the hope that it will resonate with one, maybe two, people, that attended and perhaps didn’t feel 100% fab about the whole shebang. Now let me be clear, I mostly loved the event, as did many of the people with whom I spoke and as the reviews floating around the interwebs would attest, but I am a questioner. A seeker. A contrarian. And I am not swayed by group-think or mass feel-good-ism, or what, in this particular case, I am calling the WDS afterglow, that seems to have struck so many attendees.
The People are the Thing
WDS works because of the attendees. Yes, despite my non-love of crowds, the best part about the Summit is meeting people in the flesh that I had only previously connected with online. The speakers are amazing (big respect to Brené Brown, Pam Slim, Chris Brogan, Scott Harrison, and of course, to my friend and source of inspiration, WDS’ founder, Chris Guillebeau), but it’s less about the rock stars, than it is about the other entrepreneurs, writers, thinkers, and creatives that made the trek to Portland, OR from near and not-so-near to be surrounded by others who *get* their lifestyle.
It seems that 99.7% (totally unscientific) of the people at WDS were there because of my friend Chris Guillebeau. Chris has a soft-spoken manner, he is humble and often shy; definitely not someone who basks in the glow of the spotlight, so it’s been fun to watch him grow into his role of impresario over the last few years.
His new book, The $100 Startup, was the common thread for the event. Not only did he give a copy to everyone in attendance, but his final act of generosity, which I will get to, leaned heavily on the book’s message. Chris is truly generous; and a master at the art of promotion, too. And, while the speakers rocked the main stage, the breakout sessions were conducted with nary a hiccup (aside from the sweltering classrooms where they took place), and the formal and informal parties happened in typical party fashion, it was Chris’ closing remarks and generosity that left many teary-eyed.
The Envelope, Please
When Chris came on stage to share the final minutes with the WDSers, he took some time to tell a few stories (he is a fine storyteller) and to talk about the financial situation of the Summit. Last year, the inaugural year, WDS lost about $30k; Chris said he saw that not as a loss, but as an investment in the WDS community. He said he would not accept commercial sponsorship, however much that would ease the fiscal side of things. As luck or the money gods would have it, WDS 2012 made a bit of profit, and that combined with an anonymous gift, led Chris to give every paid attendee, upon their exit from the conference hall, an envelope that contained a $100 bill with the note: start a project, surprise someone, or do something entirely different—it’s up to you.
In case you couldn’t do the math, that’s nearly $100,000 dollars in cash, folks! Chris has, once again, outdone himself with this act of giving and inspiration. The collective silence after he announced the surprise, followed by cheering, laughter, and tears stays with me today. It was truly a remarkable experience. I imagine many people will give their $100 to Scott Harrison’s Give up Your Next Birthday Charity: Water campaign, but I’m still not sure what I will do with mine. I will, however, give up my next birthday regardless of how I chose to invest my cash and that’s fodder for a future post.
WDS 2012 Artifacts
Wrapping It Up
It’s impossible, well, without this blog post running into the several thousand word count, to mention all of the highlights of WDS 2012, so I will refrain from trying to do so. Suffice it to say that I am still processing all that I learned, the amazing stories that I heard, and the fab people that I met. The general consensus for WDS 2012 is overwhelmingly positive. And while I, too, feel positive about the event, apparently I am not as blown away as many of my peers. If that leaves my voice as a lone one in the wilderness of WDS adherents who accept everything without question, so be it.
Word has it that 80% of the attendees re-upped for 2013. That would be nearly 800 people who pre-paid for 2013 (I’m one of them). This leads me to wonder how many people will be there next year. I hope Chris and his team keep it to under 1,500 or so to keep it from turning into a SXSW-style circus, but that would make it difficult for first-timers to attend. I’ll be watching to see how WDS 2013 unfolds.
I may have more reflections, perhaps even a post on the workshops that I participated in, but for now I leave you with the theme of the Summit:
How do you live a remarkable life in a conventional world?
Now it’s your turn: Tell me in the comments your answer to the above (or any other thoughts about this post that you may have).
more inspiration here!
21 Comments for this entry
shanna
Thank you, Audrey, for being the first to comment! I’m sad we didn’t meet, but we will next year (if not sooner). The lovely lack of non-competition at WDS is something to behold and savor. Everyone that I have met, this year and last, seem genuinely interested in one another’s stories. It’s great to be a part of a community of like-minded folks who *get* one another–now to take the message of service and freedom to the rest of the world!
Marianne
Loved meeting you in person Shanna! I’m still processing my experience of WDS – my knee-jerk reaction is to find it all too much (may be a cultural difference) but in the midst of all the bigness I learned some important lessons.
Here’s the first – a summit named after domination (power over) turned out to really be about connection (power with)
Marianne recently posted..Portland, power and connection: reflections on a summit that’s not really about domination at all
shanna
I loved meeting you, too, Marianne (finally)! It is quite a bit to process, but yes, the lessons are there. I look forward to seeing you in person again in the near future! I’m off to read your post now…
Denise
I’m also not a fan of crowds and an introvert to the core but being around 999 amazing people made it worth it. My guard dropped almost immediately and I felt truly comfortable just being myself. I heard so many amazing stories and you’re right Shanna, people were open and interested in listening. Incredible experience.
shanna
Yes, Denise, it was worth it. The people, as I mentioned, are the thing. What a great group of thinkers, doers, and givers! Thank you for stopping by–I appreciate your comments!
Kerrie Blazek | Pleasure Catalyst
With a name like Domination, it has to be good. Or does it?
As a fellow seeker, I too, have my own questions about all the hub-bub surrounding WDS. Seeing you and the other B-school Babes made it highly enjoyable. It was as if I had my own secret posse around every corner! However, I’m not sure if the masculine themes of Do It, Make it Happen, and World Domination really resonate with the feminine energy I’ve been following during my year of travel. I’m still digesting and integrating these ideas into my daily practice.
On the flip side, I found it truly joyful to be in the presence of so many people doing “their thing” without apology. I felt welcomed into the fold — both seen and appreciated for what I contributed by showing up openhearted.
PS: It was such a delight to meet you face-to-face! I would have never imagined you were at any point feeling overwhelmed — xo
shanna
Yes, Kerrie!
The goal orientation, do it, dominate thing is way too linear and masculine for this gal. I am all for activating and doing something with my many ideas, but like much of the online world’s superstars, WDS definitely feels male. So, as with the rest of the world, I take what I can use and discard the rest 
Truly amazing to meet you and spend a bit of time–I’ll be in PDX again soon–we must make a date! xo
Sue Ann Gleason
I am not a crowd seeker (or pleaser for that matter) but meeting YOU “live”and in person, sampling the best of Portland, and spending time with “the Babes” in and around the Summit was such a joy. Thank you for being one of the people who drew me into the crowd AND showed me where to escape for a beautiful meal and intimate conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed Higgins. In the words of my dear friend, Karie who drove down from Seattle to enjoy a meal with me: “It appears that our waiter just melts into the woodwork when the restaurant closes and then appears again the next day.” He was as much a “fixture” in that restaurant as the food!
Sue Ann Gleason recently posted..Keep it Simple Sweetheart
Kathleen Prophet
ahhhhhh Shanna! Such a gift to be WITH you… your exquisite bodypsyche which truly is divine! waftings of rich hues and strong open vulnerability. One who KNOWS… who is rooted in life and the world. I would have loved to have spent more time in conversation with you. In play with you! I feel I got a taste but not a meal! haha! And yes, perhaps that would be my biggest complaint. How do we achieve intimacy with the many. And perhaps it is a journey and this was just one of the many moments yet to unfold.
I for one needed the full bodied experience… ideas in the flesh! Chris’ last act was one of the most powerful performance art pieces I have experienced. I can feel it growing a lush jungle!
Kathleen Prophet recently posted..Summer Solstice – The Super Nova Self!
Steve Errey
I tend to agree Shanna. I’m still absorbing, but for me the doubling in size was noticeable, although I gotta say that the intimacy was definitely still there. There were a few folks I didn’t get to catch up with, simply because of the difficulty in finding them!
The value, as last year, was in the attendees. I went in knowing that the only must-see sessions were Brene’s (and boy oh boy did she deliver), and I’d have been perfectly happy skipping the other sessions in preference of hanging out with awesome people.
A truly awesome way to spend a weekend, let’s see how many it grows to next year – eek!
Steve Errey recently posted..Even If It Kills ME
shanna
I, too, had the same trouble, Steve–just trying to find people was a Herculean feat! In fact, I saw you at Prasad, and tried to talk to you (we have a friend in common) and you vanished! Maybe next year…
But yes, Brene DID deliver. I was blown away by her TED talk that I saw earlier this year.
Looking forward to catching up with you next year–if not sooner!
Denise Taylor
Hi Shanna, thanks for this, and I enjoyed reading this.
I too find it all a bit overwhelming, As a baby boomer who works alone from home – lots of writing, the sheer number of people and the noise was too much at times, even in the quiet area.
What worked for me was the quiet talks 121 and making a few good connections, but reading what other people have posted elsewhere I feel I could/should have done more and pushed myself more but I wanted to remain true to me.
I’ve also booked up for next year but wonder how big it will get – to use the same theatre it can’t grow, so does this mean a new venue – out to the convention centre doesn’t seem right
Look forward to meeting you next year
Denise Taylor recently posted..You are Amazing …
Lauren, Ephemerratic
At the beginning of this year’s WDS, my first, I was uncomfortable with the number of attendees. It felt too big, too sprawling, too disjointed. Then I started actually talking to people and realized that, despite the size, the shared desire for something unconventional from life made everyone (even the introverts) welcoming and generous.
I have planned and attended hundreds of events, and usually though everyone at those events work in the same sector, no one seems to *like* each other. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most people at WDS were not out to talk to people with a “what can you do for me?” attitude, but entering each encounter as simply open and curious. I’ve never experienced a community quite like it.
Lauren, Ephemerratic recently posted..World Domination Summit: How I’m investing my $100 to make the world more awesome
Kimby
Shanna, I’m not big on crowded venues either and often times it isn’t until I get home that I’m able derive the full value of having been there, done that. Sounds like WDS had some great things to ponder about though, there or later. (I’m a gleaner, too!) Voicing your honest assessment of the event will help the organizers make it better (albeit bigger) next year.
Kimby recently posted..Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade with Grilled Tortillas
sherold barr
Shanna – it was great to meet you in person! This is an excellent recap of this year’s event. I just wrote my highlights and will blog about it next week too – $100k giveaway and highlights from my talk with Ishita.
I am so happy for you and Amy Scott. Can’t wait to see what you two cook up.
Till next year! Sherold
sherold barr recently posted..Highlights from World Domination Summit 2012
shanna
Fantastic to meet you, too, Sherold–and thank you for your comments! I look forward to seeing you again–well before WDS 2013!
Amy Scott
OMG I look like a giant in the photo above!
I too find myself not feeling like I was totally blown away by WDS – and yet I had a great time, and I too signed up for next year. I wonder if it’s because I went to RHH Live last year, which is a somewhat similar event in some ways, or because I already have been exposed to many of the ideas I heard from WDS speakers…
But yes, in the end, it’s all about the people. And even if you know a lot of people online, there’s nothing like meeting them in person to really solidify a relationship. Nomads like me don’t often get a chance to meet in person, and WDS is a great place to commune with like-minded people.
Amy Scott recently posted..Be a Nomad
shanna
you are so funny! You are not a giant–just a tall drink of water I’m so happy to hear that you signed up for next year! Meeting in person is the thing, isn’t it? I am so fortunate to have finally met you!
Jen
How amazing, I teared up just reading this! Glad you went, and hope I can make it there as a “newbie” one of these days. Love the pictures
shanna
maybe next year?
Audrey
This was my first WDS, so I was a bit overwhelmed by the size of things at first. But, what really made the conference so special for me were the other attendees and the sense of community. It felt as if we were all working together and helping, not competing (as I’ve felt at other conferences). I wish we had been able to meet….but we’ll just have to wait until next year
Audrey recently posted..Travel-Reinforced Life Lessons and The Why (Our WDS Presentation on the Short)