caruso said:
The human touch is at best a bit of a red herring and, at worst, downright damaging. Nothing can be achieved head to head that can't be achieved impersonally on the net, via email, messenger, fora etc, and when you meet people, you run the risk of LIKING them (yes, even I'm prone to that one); when you like them, your personal, emotive reactions get in the way of your business. It doesn't matter how much you insist they don't - they do, because we're born social creatures.
Cyber-communication is the perfect vehicle for this kind of business, because personalities are NOT obliged to get in the way - and as such, inappropriate bias based on personal like or dislike does not have to be an issue / stumbling block. "He must be OK; heck, I've met him". Nooooooooo no no no.
If I have an issue with something, I prefer NOT to meet its human front. Cynical though I am, I do not trust myself to not be inappropriately swayed. Bryan once made a comment to me starting along the lines of "...if you actually CAME to these events, MET these people..."; although I've been to a few, and met several, this is exactly what I want to avoid. I must be convinced by their product and the cold facts thereof, not influenced by their warm handshake.
I understand your points, but I have to disagree with several of them. True, we are social animals (some being more animalistic than others
) and we are individuals as well. We (well, most of us anyway) use personal contact to analyze further whatever situation we are in.
I don't necessarily prefer personal contact to cyber-contact; the information that I have on the web, emails, etc., does the trick
to an extent. BUT, actual personal contact will either enhance my findings or negate them. So an actual meeting is essential to be able to have a well rounded perspective.
Obviously, the difference in dealing with people in a cyber-way vs face-to-face is that I can have an actual discussion. When questions come to mind, I can ask them right then and there and not have to wait for an email which is devoid of body language. People will tell you things in person that they won't tell you in emails BTW. Also, a face-to-face gives me the opportunity to evaluate the person - mannerisms, speech, interests, industry knowledge, background, etc., and is essential in accomplishing the mission.
The mission? Well for me it's to gather information, and to use this information to assist players, webmasters, and operators if need be. That's it. You too can take the same approach.
Most operators know better than to try and give a dog and pony show, or to baffle me with bullshit, or to figure "hey, he likes beer - buy him a beer." I didn't just jump off some boat y'know. Some operators and marketers will seriously creep you out, and some will make a very good lasting impression. This is essential to figuring out what the hell is going on in this industry. It's a serious business.
Perhaps you need to learn to be able to step back and take in what's going on. I think my years as a paratrooper has helped me to deal with this quite well. You have to think like a Vulcan sometimes.
And do not fear liking someone. Perhaps if you analyze why you like someone, there might be a good reason for this. Hopefully it's because of a commonality like a shared philosophy or an approach to this industry, and not because they bought you a beer.
Back to eCOGRA, I mentioned to Amandajm that since he is in the same city where they have their main offices, he ought to go there and meet with them. It's not a matter of "maybe liking them" it's a matter of having a discussion, sharing information, and hopefully being satisfied with the answers. To continue criticisms is strictly up to you, but if you are only minutes away from their offices, it would only make sense to ask to meet up.