Pecking order? Puleeze! Joi Ito

Pecking order? Puleeze!Joi Ito writes with apparent confusion about the a comment from Russel Beattie who commented that: "but boy it seemed like there were some serious pecking orders there." (via Jeremy Zawodny.) While Russel's comment is about ETech, a conference I am really sorry I had to miss, it certainly doesn 't surprise me, as it shouldn't surprise Joi or others.

In fact I am always amused and bemused (what's the difference?) at the highly structured set of social behaviors are exhibited at conferences such as ETech (but equally at Agenda, PC Forum, Demo and I am sure all the others.) I am sure it is in evidence wherever human beings gather: academia, the US congress, high school and on and on and on. It's kind of funny if people didn't take it so seriously.

Without spending too much time on it, see if you recognize any of these dances: the "I pretend not to notice the fact that you are trying to get a word in edgewise and just keep on talking." or the "You turn to face the person you are focusing on (the higher peckee) and actually turn your back to the one you are trying to ignore (the lower peckee - or is it pecker?)" or how about the "Wait here while I go refill my drink, (and never return.)." Some day I should write an article!