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MIT Quantum Computing Conference, Toga Party

Posted by timothy on from the put-those-qbits-in-their-hypothetical-places dept.

An anonymous reader writes: "MIT is hosting a LARGE quantum computing conference on July 22-26, 2002. Should be a lot of fun. Most of the famous scientists in the field will be there. However, I and others are a bit horrified by the high (some might say elitist) entrance fee ($325) which practically precludes students from participating. Too bad there isn't an open-conference advocacy."

17 comments

  1. high entrance fee by OpenMind(tm) · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't know, this seems in line or lower than many confs I've been to. Many of them, however, have provided substantial student discounts. My best advice is, if you are involved in the field actively, you can probably get your home department to underwrite the entrance fee, particularly if you're willing to road trip there.

    1. Re:high entrance fee by xyzzy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      In fact, it's dirt cheap. I'm attending two conferences over the next two weeks that are $600 and $500. But it's worth asking about a student discount. The fees may seem high, but the conference has to pay for things like the hotel meeting areas, services, food, etc -- it doesn't just pay for itself. The only way around that is to get a big corporation to sponsor the conference.

    2. Re:high entrance fee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's MIT they're a bunch of rich snobs that have there noses stuck up their a**es

  2. High Entrance Fees by Profane+Motherfucker · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    However, I and others are a bit horrified by the high (some might say elitist) entrance fee ($325) which practically precludes students from participating

    That might be exactly the fucking thing they wanted. In all honesty, it's summer. If this was a student orientated fete, the thing would have been during the school year. The high entrance fee is merely a fucking insurance policy.

    1. Re:High Entrance Fees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is MIT an elite institution. The tution is much more than that so the fee itself is pocket change for those who can afford it.

    2. Re:High Entrance Fees by ajmarks · · Score: 0

      Like at most expensive private schools (Ivy League schools in particular) the vast majority of students are on some form of financial aid. People accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in loans cannot afford to go to such a conference unless they are sponsored (ie have a real reason to be there).

      --
      Opinions are not Informative, though they may be Insightful or Interesting.
  3. Heh by Arminius · · Score: 1

    There better be Guinness in those kegs for that kind of money!

    But seriously, what exactly are they using that money for? I could not find anything on the website. Hope it is worthwhile.

    --

    ------
    Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
  4. The reason they have such 'high' fees by Mordant · · Score: 1

    is to keep out lame-o Slashdotters who once tried to read _Goedel, Escher, Bach_ and now think they've come up with a Unified Theory of Life, the Universe, and Everything which revolves around royalty-free music downloads and mad WarCraft skillz.

    1. Re:The reason they have such 'high' fees by chris_mahan · · Score: 1

      and let's not forget those who believe all can be easily solved in Counterstrike with an AWP and a Desert Eagle

      --

      "Piter, too, is dead."

    2. Re:The reason they have such 'high' fees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The fact that you actually thought that was funny alone further supports his argument.

  5. TOGA!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    toga, toga, toga, toga!

  6. Alternate Location? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Maybe they could make the different talks available as video feeds on the MIT campus and across the US on internet2.... It wouldn't really cost them anything, and then researchers and students who don't have the time to get to Boston (or don't want to fork over $$$ for continental breakfasts) could have a chance to watch the conference.

    I'm sure that I could get permission to watch the conference over internet2 at my college -- and we can have a toga party, too ;-)

    --Qubit

  7. Expensive??? by p7 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A 5 day conference with breakfast and lunch at $325 is expensive??? If you really have any reason to be going, you should be able to find someone to sponsor your attendance.

  8. Don't you mean 250 dollars by bstrahm · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Before the late fee the cost was 250 dollars, for a five day conference that includes food for 50 bucks a day...

    I don't know what you think is a fair price but this is definately in the ball park. I really hate people that whine about "oh this conference is so expensive". Well there are a lot of expenses, getting speaker fees paid, renting the space, covering insurance, food, something nice for the volunteers... This stuff all takes money, why begrudge them the ability to break even...

    1. Re:Don't you mean 250 dollars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ten Yummie college cafeteria meals limited to one entree. That's $60 bucks at $6 per meal. What is the other 325-60 for? What if I want to eat elsewhere, or bring a sack lunch to economize (I am a college student so economizing is important). Why am I forced to pay for meals I don't want. Bill Gates speaks just like you...poor Bill, he is just trying to break even.

  9. Now ..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... can we talk about the actual topic now???