Joel, I agree with you on this one. A conceivable bright side (there I go again, Suzy Sunshine, sorry) is that communicating with more 'innovative innovators' throughout the weekend might cause Kennedy and her group to adjust their gameplan, if not with this project, then with projects in future. One can hope that'll happen, anyway, and after all, hope is one of the major themes of the conference. It's happened more than once that a presenter adjusted viewpoint (complete inspiration moments, actually) after meeting with other presenters or audience members.

I echo JazzLobster's remarks about the cost, which has separated the economic wheat from the chaff, for sure. I attended for years, but the cost is now far too much for my budget. (I'm also hyper-aware I'm not their target demographic.) That said, I'm grateful for the live streaming, which almost makes me feel like I'm there (plus I can move around without disturbing my seatmates). And while I didn't realize what Drew drove, it's pretty impossible not to acknowledge some hypocracy (water bottles, anyone?); however, I do still think the net balance is positive.

There have been some troubling developments over the past few years (the moniker 'East Coast TED' amongst them), but the conference attendees really do some good, when the VCs get together with great causes, and when kids are actively sponsored and 'scholarshipped' to attend.

As far as the locality comments are concerned, it's too easy to see Camden as a cardboard 'perfect New England town', and it's true that it has hosted a troublingly high teen suicide rate. Like most of Maine, there's a sharp line between the affluent and the poor. Adolescents trying to fit in with the 'cool kids' feel that disparity more than some other age groups, certainly. I don't know how Camden has addressed the problem, but know they must be doing something to combat it (I mean, how could any community not address such an immensely troubling issue?). But possibly your discomfort has more to do with plain old 'urban west coast' vs. 'rural New England' culture shock. We're not perfect, you're not perfect, but we all do our best to play the hands we're dealt. My advice, for what it's worth, is to just chill out and enjoy the weekend. It might really surprise you, and in a good way. In any case, it won't last long.

Finally, if Drew really drives that Expedition, I hope he sees the error of his ways, and takes action. I think he's a good guy at heart, although that's sometimes difficult to see.