The idea of a conference that's only open to those who have something valuable to offer to everyone else is many things, most of them valuable to those who participate, but to those who are unlikely to ever be allowed, it is mostly just elitist. Especially when there's an emphasis, as there often is, on hallway discussions as the most valuable part of it. Presentations in such an environment, even when broadcast to the internet, are like pictures of food.
Google: you can do better, though probably not this year. For next conference, record everything, put software to work making meaningful presentations out of hallway conversations, and make the transcripts searchable. Find out what was really talked about and then let those of us who can't go know.
Take the idea of OpenCourseware to the next level.
:(. Hopefully the con comes back to the states next year. I was soo looking forward to attending. But I guess with the announcement not being public enough. I missed out. Maybe we will have a larger space for the con.
The idea of a conference that's only open to those who have something valuable to offer to everyone else is many things, most of them valuable to those who participate, but to those who are unlikely to ever be allowed, it is mostly just elitist. Especially when there's an emphasis, as there often is, on hallway discussions as the most valuable part of it. Presentations in such an environment, even when broadcast to the internet, are like pictures of food.
ReplyDeleteGoogle: you can do better, though probably not this year. For next conference, record everything, put software to work making meaningful presentations out of hallway conversations, and make the transcripts searchable. Find out what was really talked about and then let those of us who can't go know.
Take the idea of OpenCourseware to the next level.
:(. Hopefully the con comes back to the states next year. I was soo looking forward to attending. But I guess with the announcement not being public enough. I missed out. Maybe we will have a larger space for the con.
ReplyDelete