I don't know that I've ever read an article tracking the progress of a math conference before... I tend to think of conferences as a tinge to exchange some ide

I don't know that I've ever read an article tracking the progress of a math conference before... I tend to think of conferences as a tinge to exchange some ideas, stir the brain, and plant seeds that will grow during the next few months of steady work. It's pretty rare for me at least to expect real breakthroughs, unless I'm going to collaborate directly with a particular person on a problem where we've both die our homework beforehand. It's interesting to read a piece where there's an expectation of fundamental progress in the conference environment... makes me think a mathematical hack a thon might be fun....