Online Conferences Should be Better than In-Person Conferences, Not Worse (opens in new tab)

Obviously I agree with the sentiment expressed in the title, and it's true that the bulk of the conferences I've attended and spoken to over the last five years have been online, yet I too enjoy the in-person experience. But let's be clear (and honest) about it: what we who are privileged enough to go to conferences enjoy is not the 40-minute talk in a crowded (or worse, empty) salon. It's going to new places, meeting new people, visiting the pubs, seeing the sights, enjoying the foods. These...