Check out Allyson’s guest post at Cocktail Party Physics for one of the main reasons for my recent observation

I didn’t see any glitches except for one or two instances of technical difficulties, which speaks volumes for the organizers and support staff, because you just know there were issues, and since they didn’t become visible it means they were solved quickly.

Allyson was the awesome conference secretary, and gives an account of her unique perspective on how you can help get science done without actually being a scientist.

And they’re all weirdly grateful when I pick up a gauntlet and call the accounting department to explain that they’re to call me with the bullshit questions, because when they tie up my scientists with a four dollar discrepancy on a rental car, SCIENCE IS NOT HAPPENING, JACKHOLE.

You betcha we’re grateful when we find people who are part of the solution, rather than being part of the precipitate problem.