At the startup world's most important conference, even Death can't stay off his smartphone .

First things first: the lanyard

There is no accessory more important than the all-important, all-seeing lanyard. They were color-coded to help sort out the pitchers (start-ups) from the pitchees (press) and the bags of money (investors.)

Upon entry, the "start-up alley" scene seemed like "Newsies," only with t-shirts

It is overwhelming. My first impulse, honed from years of living with San Francisco's homeless population, was to smile, nod and keep moving.

View Entire List ›