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I can appreciate not liking the brogrammer phenomenon, and not being interested in conferences that are so party-focused, but this guy really has a huge bug up

I can appreciate not liking the brogrammer phenomenon, and not being interested in conferences that are so party-focused, but this guy really has a huge bug up his ass about other people enjoying themselves. "I'm not interested in 'partying hard', I want to talk with like-minded people about subjects I don't necessarily get to talk about at the office." Well, guess what, you can't force people to sit down and talk nodejs with you if they want to drink instead. Sorry the world isn't the way you really really want it to be. The guy seems to be interpreting a lot of his examples in the worst possible light, too. Example: Q: Is there space set up for hacking? A: We have done this for previous conferences, but to be honest people were having too much social fun to really take advantage of the space. Translation: Y U NO DRINKING!? That's a stupid translation. They set up hacking space before and very few people used it, so they didn't bother this time. You have your cause and effect backwards if you think this means they're trying to force you to drink. Or: "Perks for working for them include dental coverage, and 'weekly happy hour'. Those who don't want to participate in getting sloshed regularly... need not apply?" Jesus, dude, settle down. You've taken a perk of employment and turned it into a statement that if you don't drink you're not welcome? Please let go of your persecution complex. I know it's really fun to be indignant that others encouraging you to have a good time is so totally unfair, but it's really no different than people saying "No seriously, The Wire is fucking fantastic! You have to watch it!" Interacting with humans isn't that hard if you allow yourself and others to actually act like humans.

teddyh 13y ago
> you can't force people to sit down and talk nodejs with you if they want to drink instead. Apparently, if you give most technical conference attendees the option (and venue, drinks, transport, etc), they will opt for going drinking in environments not suited for conversation. If this happens, I interpret it as a failure of the conference organizers. Why? Because their job is to organize a conference, not a party. If they want to leave some time for people to party (or pray, or go skinny-dipping, or windsurfing, etc.), then they can do so. However, to actively encourage people to be non-networking and to not talk (usefully) about the actual conference topic is, in my view, an anti-pattern of conferences.
- jlgreco 13y ago
  Perhaps your idea of what a conference is, and what is well-suited for it, does not mesh with observed reality. Maybe that sort of conference just is not for you (I know your idea of a conference is not for me). I've got to say though, even heavy drinking has never stopped me from having technical conversations with people, even in crowded bars...
  - droidist2 13y ago
    Just as long as there isn't house music blaring. I don't even like that for non-technical socializing. One reason bar owners like the loud music is that it induces people to drink more. If people could hear each other they may get caught up in conversation and not take as many sips of their drinks.
    - jlgreco 13y ago
      Trust me, I don't like loud noise as much as anybody. I pick my bars accordingly (Yelp is typically pretty good at reporting noise levels, but at an event you can just walk around until you find an appropriate location).
  - teddyh 13y ago
    (I think you are reading into my comment something I did not write. I do not know what you think my "idea of a conference" would be.) I have tried to have technical conversations at parties and in bars with people I know to be interested in and knowledgeable in the topic. It's basically impossible. Firstly, the loud music and other conversation makes it very hard to hear what they're saying, and the things said therefore tend to be simplified into what can be said simply in short words. Secondly, they are often drunk and/or more interested in talking about beer or something than the topic they presumably are at the conference to advance. This is, of course, understandable; they're not expecting to have anything whatsoever to do with the conference topic at the party, since nobody else is, either. Thirdly, there are no whiteboards to use as discussion aids. It's also quite dark, and it's often cramped so you can't easily show somebody something by moving around. Basically, bars and party rooms are not exactly conducive to productive discussions. (In the past there would also be no internet and, further back, no computers, but that has thankfully become a non-issue these days.)

teddyh 13y ago

> you can't force people to sit down and talk nodejs with you if they want to drink instead. Apparently, if you give most technical conference attendees the option (and venue, drinks, transport, etc), they will opt for going drinking in environments not suited for conversation. If this happens, I interpret it as a failure of the conference organizers. Why? Because their job is to organize a conference, not a party. If they want to leave some time for people to party (or pray, or go skinny-dipping, or windsurfing, etc.), then they can do so. However, to actively encourage people to be non-networking and to not talk (usefully) about the actual conference topic is, in my view, an anti-pattern of conferences.

jlgreco 13y ago
Perhaps your idea of what a conference is, and what is well-suited for it, does not mesh with observed reality. Maybe that sort of conference just is not for you (I know your idea of a conference is not for me). I've got to say though, even heavy drinking has never stopped me from having technical conversations with people, even in crowded bars...
- droidist2 13y ago
  Just as long as there isn't house music blaring. I don't even like that for non-technical socializing. One reason bar owners like the loud music is that it induces people to drink more. If people could hear each other they may get caught up in conversation and not take as many sips of their drinks.
  - jlgreco 13y ago
    Trust me, I don't like loud noise as much as anybody. I pick my bars accordingly (Yelp is typically pretty good at reporting noise levels, but at an event you can just walk around until you find an appropriate location).
- teddyh 13y ago
  (I think you are reading into my comment something I did not write. I do not know what you think my "idea of a conference" would be.) I have tried to have technical conversations at parties and in bars with people I know to be interested in and knowledgeable in the topic. It's basically impossible. Firstly, the loud music and other conversation makes it very hard to hear what they're saying, and the things said therefore tend to be simplified into what can be said simply in short words. Secondly, they are often drunk and/or more interested in talking about beer or something than the topic they presumably are at the conference to advance. This is, of course, understandable; they're not expecting to have anything whatsoever to do with the conference topic at the party, since nobody else is, either. Thirdly, there are no whiteboards to use as discussion aids. It's also quite dark, and it's often cramped so you can't easily show somebody something by moving around. Basically, bars and party rooms are not exactly conducive to productive discussions. (In the past there would also be no internet and, further back, no computers, but that has thankfully become a non-issue these days.)