The Values of Meetings: Assessment of the cost and worth of this form of communication is overdue

Are there too many meetings? Or does it just seem so? A panel discussion at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in Berkeley, Calif., two weeks ago concluded that there is a need for clearer examination of what goes on in the demi-world of scientific and technical meetings. There are few collections of hard facts organized and available to form a basis for dependable conclusions about the economic, sociological, or intellectual efficiency of such meetings. There is much opinion, not all of which is favorable. And there is criticism of costs. Walter M. Carlson, director of technical information, Department of Defense, estimates that the DOD spends more than $15 million a year for direct, visible costs of meetings and symposiums. Undoubtedly scientists and technologists gain something of real value from attending meetings. And some of those gains probably couldn't be replaced efficiently through other sources. Formal reports of new research ...