I must confess that I am a bit of a geneaconference junkie.
I love going along to events where I can meet up my genimates in the flesh and hear their news. I also go along to learn. I hope to be informed, entertained, inspired and challenged. I want to hear presentations that challenge me to think about new ideas and issues. Sometimes I come away disappointed. Whilst I learn something from every presentation I attend I want and need more.
I understand how difficult it is to create a conference program that caters to diverse needs but I sometimes wonder why some program developers concentrate on presentations that inform and entertain attendees and steer away from the inspiring, challenging and controversial. We are more than empty vessels waiting to be filled.
While I am on my hobby horse may I also remind program people that we are well into the 21st Century and presentations that discuss issues around technology are also appropriate.
This little rant is a plea to those who prepare programs for events to consider the types of presentations they include in their programs and to include a few talks that will give our gray matter a workout.
I love going along to events where I can meet up my genimates in the flesh and hear their news. I also go along to learn. I hope to be informed, entertained, inspired and challenged. I want to hear presentations that challenge me to think about new ideas and issues. Sometimes I come away disappointed. Whilst I learn something from every presentation I attend I want and need more.
I understand how difficult it is to create a conference program that caters to diverse needs but I sometimes wonder why some program developers concentrate on presentations that inform and entertain attendees and steer away from the inspiring, challenging and controversial. We are more than empty vessels waiting to be filled.
While I am on my hobby horse may I also remind program people that we are well into the 21st Century and presentations that discuss issues around technology are also appropriate.
This little rant is a plea to those who prepare programs for events to consider the types of presentations they include in their programs and to include a few talks that will give our gray matter a workout.
Great comments - funny ... I recall making very similar comments about 18 months ago to some folks working on a conference programme back then
ReplyDeleteKerrieAnne, That may have been a conference I didn't attend because the program didn't excite me.
ReplyDelete+JillBall thanks for your post as a member of the In Time and Place conference planning committee I was frustrated often with the selection of papers.
ReplyDeleteI agree we need to be challenged
+JillBall thanks for your post as a member of the In Time and Place conference planning committee I was frustrated often with the selection of papers.
ReplyDeleteI agree we need to be challenged
A little mental stretching is so important. Learning is one thing but challenged and inspired are a step up.
ReplyDelete