Attending top conferences vs watching videos

Poll

Would you attend top data mining conferences (including KDD, ICDM) if you could watch the recorded presentations 2-3 months later for a modest fee (e.g. $50-100) ? [79 votes total] Attended past conferences and will continue to attend in person (33) 42% Attended past conferences but will watch presentations instead of attending (14) 18% Did not attend past conferences, but will watch presentations instead of attending (21) 27% Did not attend, and will not watch presentations (6) 8% Not sure (5) 6%

Comments

Karl Brazier, Other options
What about "Did not attend in the past, but will attend rather than watch in the future"?

Shane, SIGKDD
I probably would not buy videos when I can read the papers for free as a SIGKDD member...


Ralf Klinkenberg, Conferences = Presentations + Meeting People
Conferences are not only about attending and listening to presentations, but also about meeting people and about discussing and exchanging ideas. Both aspects are important. But the longer I am in the field and the more conferences I attend, the more I value the latter aspect. Hence, from my point of view, videos will not replace conferences, but they could be a valueable addition and added value, because it is impossible to attend all relevant conferences in the field as a single person and the videos would allow to take a look at the most important videos when you missed a conference.