The Passion(less) of the IgnitePhx (attendees)

Passion is not passive. It’s aggressive, direct and it takes what it needs.

The problem with IgnitePhx has revealed itself. And I had it wrong. It’s not the hard-working organizers that border on zealotry and it’s not the somewhat safe topic choices.

It’s the attendees. It’s the people who have attended more than once and never submitted (500+ attendees vs 70+ applicants this time). It’s the people unwilling to do more than sit by their computer on a Saturday morning to buy tickets. It’s the people who aren’t willing to do more than the absolute minimum to attend an event about passion.

That’s passive. That’s not what IgnitePhx requires.

I’m holding you responsible and you know exactly who you are. It’s the hanger-ons; the ones that show up because it’s the thing to do. IgnitePhx is nothing more than a play to them. Entertaining, sure, but Ignite is so, so much more than that. It’s a place where the presenters are encouraged, if not expected to, figuratively explode on stage. It’s about using a temporary event to establish a long-lasting community. It’s about sharing, learning, connecting, trying, failing and succeeding.

Yes, I’m sure you were busy. I bet it takes a lot of time to monitor Twitter, Facebook and various other social media networks in order to find out about ticket opportunities. I’m sure using Google Alerts to search for #ignitephx or @ignitephx is hard. But let’s be honest here: you just don’t care. Passion is frivolous to you because it’s not easy. Takes work to get what you want and far too many of you aren’t willing to even try.

Passion isn’t something you can turn on, it’s something you have to fight to keep under control. It’s a rip-roaring, idea-inducing, stomach-turning leap into a new way of experiencing life. Prove true the adage that MPAC, various marketing agencies and far too many residents around here subscribe to: Phoenix has a marketing problem.

Because I think that’s bullshit. Our problem isn’t marketing, it’s the people.

Tagged as: IgnitePhx

http://wesnovack.com/ WesleyTech

I still can't believe that I got just one entry in my Ignite Phoenix blogging contest… #disappointed
http://twitter.com/krysvs krystoferJames

Hey Tyler,
Well said, brother.
Your passion for passion got you one pair of tickets. between you and the other entrant, there was a 100% success rate.

Give me a call/email/dm to work out how to get your tix.
jmoriarty

This may be a portent of the Seventh Seal opening, but I agree with most of this. Ignite Phoenix doesn't have an agenda or a focus, like entrepreneurship or solving social issues. It is there just to create opportunity and connections, and the responsibility is entirely on the people attending (and presenting) to make that happen.

But I think one reason the different contests haven't garnered a lot of interest may be tied to the nature of the event. It isn't a concert or event, but more of a social gathering, and I think a contest to get to attend seemed odd to many people. I appreciate the intent of the people trying to do it, to help get Ignite out to more people, but it was interesting watching how it went.
http://www.spellwight.com spellwight

You talkin' to me?

I'll admit to being one of the above. I'm passive. I've been watching and encouraging my friends when they get up there to present, and they've often nudged me to come up with something that I'm passionate about. But some people are just not passionate about anything and that's okay, too.

Is art only for those who can create art? Can music only be appreciated by people who can carry a tune? Should there be an audition at the door before you can attend a comedy show?

I attend to be supportive of my friends and to meet new people and to, above all, continue the hope that someday one of those presentations will ignite a spark of passion in me.
http://boldavenue.posterous.com/ stephanie (LSL/Bold Avenue)

Even though it's not a concert, people were lamenting the fact they didn't get tickets before they sold out. What seems weird to me is the fact that more of those disappointed people didn't jump at the chance to win tickets.

I guess the people who are most passionate about it are already speaking/organizing/volunteering and didn't need to worry about how they were going to get a ticket.

And, yes, Jeff, I do think you may have ushered in the Apocalypse!
jmoriarty

And I think that's fine. Just like some presenters want to really connect with others, while some are just shooting to get on stage and talk without collapsing in terror. It's whatever they want out of it.

But in all cases it is up to the individual to take out of it what they want – nobody is going to do it for them.
http://matthewpetro.wordpress.com Matthew Petro

I have to disagree with your statement that some people just aren't passionate about anything. Everyone has something they'll stay up late doing, or get up early for, or talk about for hours. Maybe it wouldn't make for quite as impressive a presentation as taiko drumming or beatboxing, but everyone has something. You just have to find it.

Also, supporting and encouraging your friends who present isn't passive. It's being a part of the community. I know that you participate in all kinds of ways and that's important, even if it isn't as visible as an Ignite presentation.

The passive people are the ones who come to Ignite, watch the show and go home. Ignite isn't about watching a show, it's about participating in the community and being changed by the experience. Mingle and meet new people before Ignite and at the after party. Get inspired to explore a presentation topic further and discover a new interest. People who don't do that should stay home and let the rest of us have their tickets.
http://wesnovack.com/ WesleyTech

I hear what you're sayin Jeff, but I can't believe that people who are bitching and moaning (some very loudly) about not getting tickets wouldn't spend 5 minutes of effort to try to get tickets through one of the offered contests (most of which appeared to require very minimal effort).
http://chuckreynolds.us Chuck Reynolds

I'll actually be attending this one as I've either ignored or missed the last few for similar-ish reasons.

Phoenix is an interesting beast… people here love new things and love to get behind ideas but because they like to be cheerleaders and not actually be on the team; they want to be a part of something and think that's good enough.

It's been years since we started Refresh Phoenix and aside from a few people that weren't at those – it's the same group that continues to push new things in Phoenix – everybody else just follows and nods their heads.

We need more doers who will walk the walk, not just talk about it.
jmoriarty

I'm glad you're coming back then, as our poll shows we have a lot of first time people attending, which I hope rolls into new submitters and new ideas. And our plans for Ignite 7 should shake it up even further and connect with more people. With some luck we'll get lots of new doers in the mix.

Plus you're in a couple of the pre-roll slides for the event, and I know you like it when all the ladies scream “Chuuuuuuuuuck!” when you show up on the big screen!
http://chuckreynolds.us Chuck Reynolds

chya… who doesn't?

@Jeff – Push people to check-in on @foursquare too – see if we can't unlock that swarm badge!
Perhaps create a new “venue” called Ignite Phoenix 6 at that location so that'll show up when we unlock it.
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Anonymous

Is it because none of your topics were chosen? Is that why the Ignite topics are 'safe'? I think people try to avoid pessimism and cynicism to empower people. And just because someone attends, are you proposing they're required or expected to contribute the next time? I think being inspired by events like these leads to change that isn't always apparent or shared. Personal growth, new startups, networking with like-minded people…
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

Agreed, but only to a point. People are willing to buy tickets and ask
for them, but not do a little work?

The requirements for the contests were FAR less than the requirements
to present at Ignite, yet few entered.

The more that people invest in something, the more they get back.
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

One word I'd never use to describe YOU is passive. There are lots of
other ways to get involved and you do a good job of that.
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

Well, until some jackass writes a post decrying how lazy they are if they don't connect with others at the event.
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

Nope.
Nope.
Required, no. But ideally, yes.
Okay on the rest.
azbubba

Tyler, I apologize for waiting until now to comment. However, I believe there is one variable that is missed.

When I read your blog, whether I like the post or not, I see one constant theme: we should be passionate doers, not just people floating along with the current because it is the path of least resistance. And for that, I applaud you.

I am speaking as someone whose 43rd birthday is coming in a few months. Not a real grumpy old curmudgeon, but someone who has lived a bit of life and has some experience. I have been passionate about several things in my life, only to see the passion fade. Sometimes it is because of laziness on my part, but other times it is because I have been called away by something else which I felt was more important.

These days, I get selective about what I want filling my time. Do I want to be part of something bigger, something dynamic? You betcha. And right now I am doing my part by finishing my undergrad degree, helping my wife with her business, and sticking my $0.02 where I feel it will make a difference.

There are some out there like me. They are waiting for something to be passionate about, but they are not going to be a cheerleader for just any idea floating down the river. If they let something pass them by, it is not because it's not a worthy idea; they are waiting for the ONE idea that will get them off their duff and move.

Some attendees of IP have already found their passion, and are seeking new ideas to further inflame that passion. Others are looking for the one cause or idea that will keep them up until 4am thinking about it. Obviously, these are not your target audience.

Some ticket buyers just wanna be with the cool kids. While I see the antithesis to your common cause of “just do it!”, I don't know if anything we say or do is going to roust them out of their desire to go with the crowd. But, you never know. Someday, one of these “followers” might just hear something that sparks a fire.

It is my belief that we can't just discard this group. Instead, I see an increasing responsibility to step up my game, taking my passions and presenting them in a way that makes others want to do something.

Sorry I didn't get to see you that night. My residence in the West Valley and the time spent chasing my dreams keeps us at a distance; I hope we get to hoist a few together soon.

God bless.
Bubba
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

I wasn't at Ignite. Like you, I like to spend my time accomplishing tasks more important to me than sitting in an audience. I do NOT think that speaking on stage at Ignite qualifies as anything more than a fun night out.

I want to know people that are looking to better themselves through experience, education and productivity.

And I'm glad to place you in that category.
http://www.tdhurst.com tdhurst

Thank you. It sure can get a person into trouble though.
sbishop

And this is why we're friends. Good rant…fantastic points. You're dead on regarding the analysis of passion.
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http://www.zyphon.com willbradley

So I’m beginning to think that either you’re way more connected and in-tune than I am, or you’re just a visionary, or both. Didn’t fully agree with you a year ago (hadn’t seen an Ignite then, to be fair) but now I do. The last thing this world needs is more consumers patting each other on the back about consumption. This is why the most vigilant creators shy away from publicity.
http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

I like to think I’m empathetic.