BarCamp is an event of local proportions. Where it has gone, it has made a difference to the local community, and those stories should be told.

If you've been to a BarCamp and have noticed a significant change in your local community in the weeks, months and years following BarCamp, please document them here; if you want to describe your experience in more than a few lines, please considering blogging about it, linking to your post from here, and using the tag "barcampbeforeandafter".

Chris Messina, BarCamp Co-founder, BarCampPaloAlto2005

BarCamp in Silicon Valley was something of an awakening or rejuvenation of a spirit that had gone dormant since the bubble popped. What made the Valley so exciting and welcoming during the 60s and 70s seemed to fade to economic interests and mind-blowing valuations. Whether we intended it or not, opening up the FOO Camp model for our fledging community of entrepreneurs and geeks reawakened our promise and capacity to share, co-produce and to include one another in our respective passions.

 

I think that BarCamp is less an anamoly in the Valley, where it's taken for granted that anything is possible. I do think, however, that Web 2.0 found its footing in a group of passionate individuals and that that the spirit and ethos of that experience has radiated forth ever since.