Tony Morris

I think the answer can be found in every experience of a women or other minority getting dismissed by a professor who carried themselves with composure during the lecture. Later they find the implicit biases or real sentiments we're preventing equal opportunity.

For me, the blind selection process is out of fairness to the speaker candidates. But in service of normal attendees who may ask questions, network, or even be looking for mentorship, I can see value in checking speakers who make the cut, but this leads to a tension.

Yeah, I think your "self-atomization" comments have really summed up what I've taken away from all this. We are fracturing as a society. I can feel it. Maybe it's the best we can do, but I'd like to believe that's only for a time, and that we can come together eventually.