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An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

blog.chrisleydon.com

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Re: An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

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I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content than gender and race kerfuffles.

> I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content

It's time to face the fact that conferences are becoming antiquated by technology.

EDIT: Judging by the replies, apparently people think conferences are local get-togethers? The point of a conference used to be about exchanging ideas with people outside the neighborhood. It would roll in airline, hotel, $100s for attendence fees (because the venues are large and require organizers.)

Basically, these things turned into junkets in exotic locations. And then many companies decided they are no longer necessary in the age of the web.

Re: An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

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post #4
post #3

I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content than gender and race kerfuffles.

> I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content It's time to face the fact that conferences are becoming antiquated by technology. EDIT: Judging by the replies, apparently people think conferences are local get-togethers? The point of a conference used to be about exchanging ideas with people outside the neighborhood. It would roll in airline, hotel, $100s for attenden…

Maybe. I think that people will like to meet no matter what. It's a very human thing.

Re: An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

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post #6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content It's time to face the fact that conferences are becoming antiquated by technology. EDIT: Judging by the replies, apparently people think conferences are local get-togethers? The point of a conference used to be about exchanging ideas with people outside the neighborhood. It would roll in airline, hotel, $100s for attenden…

Maybe. I think that people will like to meet no matter what. It's a very human thing.

Sure, but that does not have to be at an expensive conference. I have a spare bed room (will be furnished soonish) that could host a traveling geek, ala, Paul Erdos.

Much cheaper than an expensive conference.

Re: An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

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post #7
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe. I think that people will like to meet no matter what. It's a very human thing.

Sure, but that does not have to be at an expensive conference. I have a spare bed room (will be furnished soonish) that could host a traveling geek, ala, Paul Erdos. Much cheaper than an expensive conference.

What's an expensive conference? The euruko for example is at around 50(?) and used to hover at 20 Euros. Lots of smaller conferences are popping up at that price point - single track, one or two days, no fancy catering, just a focus point where more than one person will show up and gather around a topic.

Until technology can replicate that, I think conferences won't go away.

Re: An open letter to Laura Kalbag, a woman who wants to be a token speaker.

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post #3

I really miss the days when discussion about conferences was more about technology and content than gender and race kerfuffles.

I understand your concern, but with the exception of Apple most of the interesting tech is talked about in blogs long before conferences and you can download almost any open source stuff and play with it from your home computer.

What then is left?

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