the traditional conference format is dead

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Reed Esau

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Dec 23, 2007, 3:45:31 PM12/23/07
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Tech blogger and speaker Tim Bray recently addressed those who wish to
ban laptops and Internet connectivity from conferences...

"I'm sorry; the traditional conference mode of discourse, where you
sit in rows in the dark and shut up and listen, it's just over. Did I
mention that every respectable geek conference now has wireless and
extension cords? That's because the audience demands it. The Audience,
near as I can tell, by and large doesn't believe that because someone
got a talk accepted, they're entitled to anyone's undivided
attention."

He mentions alternative formats that are more likely to engage...

"You've got several hundred mostly really smart people in a room.
What's the best use of their time? Passive listening or active
discussion? Seems obvious to me. Unconferences, Open-space meetings,
once you've been to one or two you've just had it with this crap about
sitting in the dark facing forward and shutting up. Participation is
good. Being spoon-fed isn't participation. 3 1/2 minutes of questions
from someone else after a 45-minute pitch isn't participation.
Silencing all the parts of your mind that aren't being engaged by the
speaker isn't participation."

http://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/200x/2007/12/20/In-the-Audience
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