One of the advantages of modern technology is the ability to view remote events live; another is to discuss a presentation, while it is being presented, "in the back channel" — i.e., in a chat room or on Twitter. These technologies give many of us who could not otherwise attend a technical presentation the opportunity to attend virtually, and to participate. This past week has been chock full of such opportunities.

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I had a very curious and unexpected conversation at work recently. An amusing person that I work with, who I'll refer to as "The Random Talker", will pour out mouthfuls of directionless information at the drop of a hat. I'm talking about a totally un-sequestered menagerie of anomalous comments. This time, however, something struck home with me and we had a more meaningful, if not still awkward conversation.

Random: "Sometimes I get really angry and confused when I don't eat enough"

Me: "Oh really, I know the feeling,"

Random: "I become hypoglycemic, but I bet you don't know what that is, do you?"

Me- (Sounding like a know it all): "Ya, your blood sugar drops, and you can get sweaty, hungry, nervous, jittery, not a good feeling" (READ MORE)