Arbella Bet-Shlimon
Sorry but attending a conference remotely is just better. I didn’t have to inhale covid/farts on an airplane, slept in my own bed, made non-Starbucks coffee, started my morning with cool people saying interesting things about my writing, and then took my kid to school @academicchatter @histodons #unpopularopinion
Apr 13, 2023 at 8:15pmWeb
Show threadArbella Bet-ShlimonApr 13, 2023

@academicchatter @histodons I will still have to do it occasionally but I would be perfectly content never being inside an airless Marriott ever again if I could help it

(I’m still “at” the workshop. It’s a break time, I promise I wouldn’t post during a presentation!)

Show threadTim RichardsApr 13, 2023
@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons "Airless" is the mot juste. God knows why all modern hotels have to have unopenable windows.
Show threadRJLegaultApr 14, 2023

@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons

Hate hotels. First thing I do is fill the ice bucket with water and insert a wick (a soaked towel) and drape it over the air blower to try to get some humidity into the room. Absolutely reduces travel induced dehydration.

Show threadAshley GardiniApr 13, 2023
@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons I don’t think this is an unpopular opinion at all! In-person conferences don’t work for everyone (health, family, climate change, etc). Academia needs to keep a flexible model going forward.
Show threadAshley GardiniApr 13, 2023

@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons And shameless promotion, but this is why SAH is pursuing both in-person and virtual options.

https://www.sah.org/2023

2023 Conference - Montréal & Virtual

The Society of Architectural Historians will host its 76th Annual International Conference in Montréal, Canada.

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Show threadProf Prachi SrivastavaApr 13, 2023
@AshleyGardini @abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons I'm promoting this simply because it's in Montreal. :)
Show threadArindam BasuApr 13, 2023
TBH, I certainly prefer online/virtual conferences than in-person ones. You can attend talks at your own convenience. Depending on the organisers, there is enough scope of building interactivity. No hassles of air travel, saves money, you can get your work done, lots and lots of good points …
Show threadPatrickApr 13, 2023
@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons I honestly thought there would be a chance, post-Covid, that academia would take some responsibility for climate change and convert fully to online conferences. I guess not. Humanity is doomed.
Show threadProf Prachi SrivastavaApr 13, 2023
@pbolger @abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons I think it partly depends on stage of career, and also, how well the online conference is organised. I agree online conferences make it easier and lessen carbon footprint, but I like hybrid options. Many of the online ones I've been to aren't organised for people to chatter. I've been told by newer entrants it's been hard to forge networks. I've only attended two in person since 2020, the rest online - but I appreciated them for other reasons.
Show threadLooking for explanations…Apr 14, 2023
@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons I haven’t attended many conferences, but have enjoyed being at a place where I can devote my attention to the topic & enjoy chance encounters with like minded people. Whether these reasons are enough to counter excessive travel in a time of climate change, cost & significant risks of disease transmission & exposure, is another matter.
Show threadReboot RobotnikApr 14, 2023
@abshlimon @academicchatter @histodons Little known fact is that the farts make the plane go
Show threadMatt SickerApr 15, 2023
@abshlimon oh god the Starbucks at conferences is something I totally forgot about! I used to bring my own coffee beans, grinder, and paraphernalia on trips.