I finished a month of rather active conference participation, first at the American Association of Geographer’s annual meeting in virtual Seattle, and then the Dislocating Urban Studies workshop in virtual Malmö. I have mixed feelings about our new virtual world.

One obvious benefit is the ability to participate in exciting discussions from around the globe, without paying for transit, dealing with jet-lag, or contributing to the destruction of the climate. Via Zoom, I’m able to be in Seattle on Tuesday and then Sweden on Wednesday, all from the comfort of my home office.

On the other hand, I miss people. There’s a conviviality that is deeply lacking when communicating via screens. I miss the in-between spaces, where a few minutes conversation stolen here and there can mean everything. I miss the physicality of being in a different city, and the feeling of growth I experience every time after getting used to a new place and then coming home. As convenient as it is to be able to participate from afar, the experience simply doesn’t affect me in the same way.

I don’t know what conferences and workshops will look like in future, but personally I’m hoping for some kind of hybrid experience that makes use of Zoom for those who can’t or prefer not to attend in person, while still giving space for actual physical participation if possible. I don’t think anything can or should replace the exchange of ideas face to face, at least for me.

Anyway, here’s what the Dislocating Urban Studies people wrote about me and my presentation there, which was a work in progress on methodology and authoritarian practices. I thought their summary was very kind, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to participate. And if not for Zoom, I wouldn’t have been able to “be” there.