Soap box: A "conference" as we know it served a particular set of constraints when information sharing was scarce and co-presence was difficult. So we gathered in a physical space, in a concentrated time, to share information. 1/n

This setup also had relational benefits: networking and friendships etc. In the virtual setting, we don't have a physical co-presence, we don't need to JUST share information (we are overloaded with information), we don't need to cram into a limited time 2/n

What do we need? Better "curation" of information (e.g. pointing me to good information, giving me more access to it not limited by time or space), more facilitation to find and meet people, social and emotional recharging .. 3/n

We should learn from all the past research in online communities/social media/digital culture etc. to imagine different ways of organizing, mobilizing, and supporting one another holistically online -- then a conference could become something that now serves our new realities