Bryan Bell pic of the Day 1 meeting room. Look at how many computers are out. Most people seem to agree it was a lively discussion, lots of back and forth, but look at all the people looking at the screen instead of looking at the room. Remember what conferences were like before WiFi. Boredom without any hope of relief. Now we have our laptops and the Net to keep our minds interested even if the presenters are droning. At this conference people could speak up at almost any time. What are they doing on their laptops?  Why don't people watch the speakers and each other, why is the screen more interesting? What can we do to make conferences more captivating, or should we even try?

# Posted by Dave Winer on 10/8/03; 6:29:53 AM - --