PSFK Good Ideas Salon London Speaker Matt Brown

Matt Brown, Co-Editor of Londonist, will be on our Good Ideas From London panel at the PSFK Good Ideas Salon London. Along with Justin Quirk, of FHM, Taryn Ross of Urban Junkies, Paul Andrew Williams of Steel Mill Pictures, and moderator Matt Hardisty of AnalogFolk the panel will touch upon what aspects of London are exciting them right now.

First, who are you and what do you do?

I edit and write for Londonist.com, one of Europe’s most influential and popular blogs and part of the Gothamist chain of city web sites. Much of my time is spent exploring the city, its culture, history and future. In the line of duty I’ve spent the night among human remains beneath London Bridge, eaten ice cream with the Queen at the Royal Institution and caught a lung infection from climbing a Soho church spire (it’s cleared up now, since you ask). I also freelance for Time Out, run a website for London scientists and co-authored the book The London Collection. You could rightly say that I’m obsessed with the capital.

You’ll be sharing your ideas on our Good Ideas from London panel. In one paragraph, can you explain what themes and ideas you hope to touch upon during the discussion?

I’m interested in the ways people come together informally and from grassroots to move forward ideas and projects. For example, London’s innumerable pubs and coffee bars play host to a thriving culture of creative meetups. This long tradition stretches back to the 17th Century and gave us the stock exchange and insurance companies (for better or worse). Today we see informal gatherings for all flavours of creativity: from social media cafes to meetups for knitters and gourmets, skeptics and coders, philosophers, mathematicians, flower arrangers and those who like to wear fancy dress. In the online world, passionate and knowledgeable individuals are beating the mainstream media to scoops, reviews and opinion-led commentary on homegrown sites like Londonist, Urban Junkies and TrustedPlaces. If you have a passion in life, and if you want to find those who share that passion and take it somewhere innovative, there’s never been a better time, nor a better place, than London right now.

Five links to sites that provide you with inspiration:

Londonist.com (I never cease to be amazed at what this voluntary team puts together every day.)
Art of the State
Bad Science
Diamond Geezer
Nature Network

Thanks Matt!

To hear more from Matt and others, you can purchase your ticket to our Good Ideas Salon London on Jan 30th here.