The D Conference, a fascinating seminar

If you’re reading this blog, then you are a participant in the rapidly changing and expanding digital world.  I would like to tell you about a fascinating seminar I recently attended called The D Conference – The Wall Street Journal’s 6th annual meeting about all things digital, held at The Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, CA.  This is a truly remarkable gathering of many of the world’s most innovative technological thinkers and creators.  It was riveting listening to their talks and conversations.  There was much to glean about the effects of technology on our lives today and in the future.  Frankly, I left with my head spinning!

Come and see some of the guest speakers.

These are the co-producers and co-hosts of the Wall Street Journal “D” conference held for the past 6 years in Carlsbad, California.

Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg always try a humorous approach - tongue in cheek perhaps - somewhat obtuse at times.

This is what the conference could be perceived as.

The conference could also be perceived as thus....

or thus.....

or thus....

Jeff Bezos, Chairman and CEO of Amazon.com, was an excellent interview - Unfortunately, I was called out during his “performance” to appear on CNBC.

Here I am being interviewed on the terrace of the hotel by CNBC.

The famous stippled portraits of famous American business figures - Jerry Yang, Co-founder and CEO of Yahoo and Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft.

Robert Kotick was very funny - he runs Activision, the computer game company.

Paula Abdul made a brief appearance to choose the winner of a musical competition with Guitar Hero.

This is Walt Mossberg - a technology columnist and a very good interviewer.

Sir Howard Stringer - the Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation.

The musician who invented Guitar Hero.

Everyone was taking hundreds of digital photos - what else would one expect at the 'D' CONFERENCE??

Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of IAC, made some excellent comments about his company and about the future of the digital world.

Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell, was impressive.

Jerry Yang was pretty forthright about Microsoft's 'walking away from' their purchase of Yahoo.

Sue Decker is the new president of Yahoo - formerly the CFO.

Jeffrey Bewkes, President and CEO of Time Warner, had lots to say about Time and its future.

Nathan Myhrvold, CEO of Intellectual Venture - a company that works with inventors, buys their inventions and patents them for future development

Thomas Glocer was very well-spoken about the International News Agency, Thomson Reuters, of which he is CEO.

This is 24-year-old, Mark Zuckerberg - founder and CEO of Facebook.

For nearly 2 hours, Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corporation, kept us interested in the future of media, politics, and the world, as we know it.

Comments

[Miz Booshay]

Golly.
I have been blogging for almost five years.
I'm surprised I wasn't invited to speak.
he he

What a line up!

[MMC from San Diego]

. . .looking into the digital future--right here in San Diego!

[alicia88]

Interesting blog.
I'd like to read more.

[Amy]

Back about 1996, I got to attend the SIGGRAPH convention in New Orleans; I was finishing up my degree and working for Tulane at the time. I had so many ideas that I took back to my office, and suggestions. . .but nobody was interested, it just buzzed right past them. Ever fill out a form that was a PDF file, or have one populate a PDF form? That was my suggestion. . .but nobody cared! Ah, well, maybe they're into the digital age by now. I love this stuff too!

Amy

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the fascinating post about the D Conference. I have used information and materials from the Wall Street Journal for years with my students. Tecnology has influenced our world in so many ways.
Kathy

[Jessica]

This is fascinating. Surprised that Steve Jobs wasn't there - but I guess he had some news of his own to convey around this time! It is great to see that you are keeping up with the digital age... any new, upcoming Martha Inc. products that might tie into this topic? Digital scrap booking perhaps?!

[Patty]

Martha

You get invited to the most interesting places !!! I'd love to hear about your CNBC interview. Mind sharing your conversation with the interviewer with us here? It would be especially exciting to here where you see MSLO in 5-10 years.

[Desiree']

Martha,
I found this particular post to be truly fascinating. I love technology and appreciate you sharing what you observed at this conference!

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a fascinating blog. I can see why your head was spinning after attending the D Conference. The world of technology is as mind boggling as it gets. The ideas that people doubted years ago are now part of our everyday life. Who knows what the future holds!? Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Tanya]

The company where I work, which sells natural gardening products and various other lovely bits and bobs, is well aware of the importance of using the internet, podcasts and blogging for business.

http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/ Take a look if you have the time Martha.

[Anna]

Hi Martha,
I love your show and this post is very interesing.

P.S. Sorry but I little speak english I from Poland :)

[Margie]

How interesting to have been sitting behind or beside Martha Stewart. The fun would have been to see what notes were taken regarding future technological changes or interesting "thoughts for".
As we move forward into the digital electronical age we also have to move back. I am referring to the Wall Street Journal report of wireless internet connections being removed from college lecture halls. Why? Students are not focusing on the lecture but rather buying items on the internet.
As we solve a problem we also create one.

[Karen Hammond]

When will your CNBC interview be aired? Always interested in what you have to say, and your blog is the "best".