Speaking at conferences increases citations by 52%!
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01604-x

But
-In person meeting requires airline travel, fuels greenhouse gases.
-Less wealthy can't afford to travel or get visas. Referees prefer papers from known/famous authors. In person conferences create a vicious cycle.
-"I invite you, you invite me" enables nepotism.
-A handful of famous voices dominate the airwaves.
-This stifles the young investigators and disruptive innovation.

What's the solution?