I think this kind of post is so important and should get highlighted on the front page every time shortly before an EAG. Just so people get reminded that this is a thing.
For a more personal addition: I found EAG and now the days afterwards really difficult to navigate. It was my first (I’ve been to one EAGx before). I knew I was supposed to schedule 1:1s, but didn’t, because I didn’t really have a goal for EAG. I have a job that I like and want to keep doing for a bit. There was no particular question I had for anyone. I just wanted to be there, see a few talks, see some friends again, that’s about it.
At the same time, I felt so much pressure to “make the most of it”. There’s so much talk about what “the perfect amount of 1:1s” is, that “EAG is an incredible opportunity”, almost like it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime”-thing. I even got mocked by a few people for not scheduling more 1:1s. And it’s just… really anxiety-inducing.
Really liked the idea of having a space where people are explicitly invited to sit with a stranger (and think this should be improved upon in the future), because it’s a nice addition if you don’t have a talk to attend but also didn’t schedule something else in.
So my takeaway is: It’s okay that people have wildly different experiences at EAG. It’s okay to not know what exactly you want to get out of the conference. And it’s okay to just have a chill time there.
I do think the focus on 1:1s is a bit over-intense. Obviously they can be really helpful or interesting with the right people, but it feels a bit like (some) EAs were like ‘moderate amounts of this thing is obviously good—maybe EXTREME amounts would be EVEN BETTER’. More dakka is definitely an appropriate attitude sometimes, but sometimes it’s better to have a balance of mutually-enhancing different things (in this case, a balance of 1:1s, unstructured hanging-out-with-strangers, talks, catching up with friends, and rest, perhaps?)
Incidentally, I really enjoyed being a Logistics volunteer at EAGx Cambridge, because it gave me a break from all the intense people-ing, and I brought more energy to the interactions I did have.
It’s also kinda funny that the organisers put all this effort into producing talks, and then kinda dissuade people from going to them! (even though some of them are really good).
I’m very sorry to hear people mocked you—that is not acceptable behavior and I’m sorry you experienced it.
I agree with the talk to a stranger thing! I think I’ve noted it as far back as 2018 in my feedback forms to have more spaces like this—especially having dining tables with signs to join people at meal times. I also think I noticed people huddling more along org lines this conference than at previous ones, which makes sense but is a bit sad (since those folks already know each other).
I think this kind of post is so important and should get highlighted on the front page every time shortly before an EAG. Just so people get reminded that this is a thing.
For a more personal addition:
I found EAG and now the days afterwards really difficult to navigate. It was my first (I’ve been to one EAGx before). I knew I was supposed to schedule 1:1s, but didn’t, because I didn’t really have a goal for EAG. I have a job that I like and want to keep doing for a bit. There was no particular question I had for anyone. I just wanted to be there, see a few talks, see some friends again, that’s about it.
At the same time, I felt so much pressure to “make the most of it”. There’s so much talk about what “the perfect amount of 1:1s” is, that “EAG is an incredible opportunity”, almost like it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime”-thing. I even got mocked by a few people for not scheduling more 1:1s. And it’s just… really anxiety-inducing.
Really liked the idea of having a space where people are explicitly invited to sit with a stranger (and think this should be improved upon in the future), because it’s a nice addition if you don’t have a talk to attend but also didn’t schedule something else in.
So my takeaway is: It’s okay that people have wildly different experiences at EAG. It’s okay to not know what exactly you want to get out of the conference. And it’s okay to just have a chill time there.
I do think the focus on 1:1s is a bit over-intense. Obviously they can be really helpful or interesting with the right people, but it feels a bit like (some) EAs were like ‘moderate amounts of this thing is obviously good—maybe EXTREME amounts would be EVEN BETTER’. More dakka is definitely an appropriate attitude sometimes, but sometimes it’s better to have a balance of mutually-enhancing different things (in this case, a balance of 1:1s, unstructured hanging-out-with-strangers, talks, catching up with friends, and rest, perhaps?)
Incidentally, I really enjoyed being a Logistics volunteer at EAGx Cambridge, because it gave me a break from all the intense people-ing, and I brought more energy to the interactions I did have.
It’s also kinda funny that the organisers put all this effort into producing talks, and then kinda dissuade people from going to them! (even though some of them are really good).
Hey Jana, thanks for sharing.
I’m very sorry to hear people mocked you—that is not acceptable behavior and I’m sorry you experienced it.
I agree with the talk to a stranger thing! I think I’ve noted it as far back as 2018 in my feedback forms to have more spaces like this—especially having dining tables with signs to join people at meal times. I also think I noticed people huddling more along org lines this conference than at previous ones, which makes sense but is a bit sad (since those folks already know each other).