Geek vs. Bullshit: I need advice

Did you ever expect the trend of tweeting to IMPACT business?

I got an email with this header in the ol’ electronic mailbox today from the local chamber of commerce. As a member, I get messages like this from time to time, announcements of different presentations and networking opportunities. Times being what they are, the tech and social media presentations have been on the rise. Unfortunately, they’re overwhelmingly being offered by either graphic designers who don’t know the ass from their internet, or that special breed of slime leech, marketers who market marketing.

Needless to say, the attendance at these things is brisk, but the quality of the presentations is absolutely abysmal.

I feel like this puts me in a tough position. There aren’t many people in this general group who are tech-savvy enough to be able to spot bullshit when they see it, but overwhelmingly folks around here know that they don’t know jack about the internet. Now, I know this means that Hot Glue Media should be running around to all the business organizations and geeking out loud to all and sundry, establishing ourselves as the local tech experts, but that’s kind of difficult because we’re kind of crazy busy doing actual paying work. I get it. That needs to be resolved.

The thing I’m not sure of is whether or not Dani and I should be attending these things anyway. Part of me doesn’t want to be seen condoning these folks, especially not at $30 bucks a plate and no open bar. Another part wants to go to speak up and make sure good information is being presented. A third part worries that the second part will come off as bitchy and demeaning and rude and Kanye-esque for stealing the spotlight away from the presenters, who generally paid good money to present. A fourth bit of me wants to take the first part out for ice cream, and a fifth part wonders if it wouldn’t be more effective to attend and be subtle about my tech superiority, essentially starting whisper campaigns at my table over the rubber chicken.

I don’t know what to do. What do you think? Have you been in similar situations? Can you help me? I’m at a total loss, so anything at all would be appreciated.