Conferences are a controlled form of mass hysteria. The trick is to apply the cadmium rods at the right times and places to maintain the right levels. A healthy level of hysteria produces "Wow, that was the coolest conference ever!" Unhealthy levels are either "Snore." (not enough neutrons) or "Aaaaaagh, that was insane, I'm never going back there." (too many neutrons).
So when we see all those pictures of a calm Nat sitting with his laptop at a conference, rather than reading his e-mail he's actually using a web browser to practise with a Nuclear Power Plant Simulator?
