Coming off of the geek-high that is SXSW Interactive ain’t easy.  It often includes a detox period of significant Futureshock and feeling a lot like a resident-alien.

Here are a few practical tips for your re-entry into the real word.

1. Go to a bar. One with a really long line in front. Get into the bar and pay for your drinks.

2. Talk someone who is not a tech-geek or new-media hipster.  Let’s say a family member, friend or  room mate.  Gesticulate wildly, talk philosophically and with apparent glee about Henry Jenkins, Dana Boyd, Clay Shirky or Bruce Sterling.   Stop at first nose wrinkle, eye glaze or slack jaw from your intended victim.  Wait for them to respond… “Who?”

3.) Walk up to some one you’ve never met before and say “Hey! I know you from the internet.”  Note the look of shock and horror as they run away. Then wait for your snail mail delivery of a restraining order from the po-po.

4a) Stop on the street and observe people using their cell phones.  Note that everyone doesn’t have an iPhone.

4b) For those people you do see with iPhones (outside of Austin), note that they actually get an AT&T signal.

5) Attend a meeting with IT, development, marketing, advertising and interactive staff intermingled.  Attempt to speak the same language and observe attempts to enjoy each others company. Fail.

6) Go outside.. hear a bird chirp.  Fight the Pavlovian urge to check Tweetdeck.

7) Take one thing you learned, from simple to visionary and do something with it.  Watch it succeed and come back to Austin next year to tell us about it

note: ..and since this is SXSW, tips from the crowd are welcome.  please share.. because a geek is a terrible thing to waste.

-a

(photo courtesy of Ryan J Lane via iStock)