tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post5037589818228615170..comments2024-01-28T03:35:51.182-05:00Comments on Reassigned Time: Conference Burn-OutDr. Crazyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457967076373916629noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-65001477762417466882010-06-06T00:23:41.668-04:002010-06-06T00:23:41.668-04:00I like conferences just because no one at my home ...I like conferences just because no one at my home institution has research interests in my area, and it's a chance to meet up with people who do and see what's going on.Brian Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06986631330360998134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-12266481261730900412010-06-03T21:43:22.743-04:002010-06-03T21:43:22.743-04:00When I go to conferences, I try to stay fucking dr...When I go to conferences, I try to stay fucking drunk the whole time.PhysioProfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11046093902090839375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-4954587179308091082010-06-03T20:27:13.311-04:002010-06-03T20:27:13.311-04:00I feel like I need to jump in and note that I REAL...I feel like I need to jump in and note that I REALLY love conferences, or have done, historically. A) they speak to my social personality, B) I would in most cases rather listen to somebody read a paper than actually read it myself - or at least get a glimpse at a conference before going and finding an article by the person, and C) I like the communal aspect of conferencing - talking to people about things that we've all seen and getting varying perspectives, or talking about different things we've seen and getting 3 panels for the price of one.<br /><br />In theory, and in history, I LOVE all of these things. But for about the past year, I'm so freaking tired. And I'm BORED. And I'm BORING. That's the thing I'm hoping changes, really. The problem is so not conferences. The problem is my relationship to them.Dr. Crazyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457967076373916629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-79115181885018562582010-06-03T19:38:16.106-04:002010-06-03T19:38:16.106-04:00Interesting. I like conferences a whole lot more t...Interesting. I like conferences a whole lot more than I used to--or dislike them less, anyway. Throughout grad school and beyond, conferences just reminded me how much I struggle to make small talk with strangers, and how much of a wallflower I feel at receptions and in those awkward moments before and after a panel. Now I know enough people in my field that I find myself in those awkward spots much less often. <br /><br />I still don't love conference-going, though: it's a necessary professional evil, but not really something I look forward to with excitement. That's also partly owing to reasons Flavia outlined recently on her blog: like her, I don't process oral information well (and so have trouble staying focused on dense academic conference papers), and my original and interesting insights tend to come from quiet reflection and writing rather than talking out loud. So intellectually, I've always found conferences of limited use. Good luck with yours, though!Shane in SLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09009969830290878311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-9097143886741470962010-06-03T17:12:57.267-04:002010-06-03T17:12:57.267-04:00Sabbatical really helped me re-focus and rediscove...Sabbatical really helped me re-focus and rediscover my own interests in my research. Of course, I've presented squat on it since, as I realized how much I'd let slide by as I was scrambling on the tenure-track stuff. <br /><br />I'm with you on the not-excited about conference stuff. I can't remember the last time I saw more than one or two panels that even mildly interested me. And none of them were unmissable, or even regrettable when I did miss them.Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10849272391043604637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-75201957868923875292010-06-03T13:03:57.216-04:002010-06-03T13:03:57.216-04:00I'm with you. Part of it is the more familiar...I'm with you. Part of it is the more familiar you are with the field, the more you say, "Yes, OK, I see where that's going". Also, I think the limits of the 20 minute conference paper really get to me. When I'm thinking about a new area, or planning a new course, a conference can be a good way to pick up some bits and pieces...Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716705206734059708noreply@blogger.com