Post #2210613

2026-05-01 10:40 UTC

@dwallach@discuss.systems I'm going to try it first and see how it works out. I feel like we should be rethinking the entire structure of conferences, but I've had no luck getting people to talk about it yet. But it's much easier to do once there's a concrete example.

Replies (1)

@dwallach@discuss.systems 2026-05-01 23:11

@shriramk@mastodon.social When I was a grad student attending CCS '97 in Zürich, I ended up having an hour-long conversation with Ross Anderson in the otherwise empty hotel bar. Somehow I got over my fear and just approached him and introduced myself. Amazing, talking to a legend and having a real discussion about my career. More recently, on the paying it forward front, I was invited to a CRA event (representing DARPA, at the Watergate Hotel!) where I'd stay at a round table and ten fresh assistant professors would show up. We'd talk for 15 minutes, then DING, a fresh round and start over again. So, these kinds of things do occur, but they could definitely stand to happen more often. You just need to somehow break the ice, so prospective folks won't be afraid to even sign up.

Open ##2210614