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[D] How to network at a conference
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How to network in a conference
Hi everyone! I'm attending my first big conference next week- CVPR. Everyone mentioned that I should spend a lot of time networking with other students and senior researchers. I have also managed to secure invites to socials of Google and Meta.
I suck at all things social. How do I approach other researchers and talk with them about potential collaborations or research internships without sounding needy?
Also appreciate any general advice on how to maximize my time at CVPR. Thanks!
Top Comment: Go to the nearest fancy coffee place to the conference center, the queue will be full of people with the conference lanyard. While you're waiting for your cortardos, break the ice by mentioning how much the conference coffee sucks and you're good to go.
Install fails at network test
Main Post: I cannot get this to install. I had an old usb flash drive with 14.5 GB on it and some files that I quick formatted with FAT32 then added the Clear Linux Desktop OS. I then plugged it in to a Intel NUC8iBEH1, turned it on, and I am now typing on it so it connects to the internet just fine. When I ru…
Top Comment: I cannot get this to install. I had an old usb flash drive with 14.5 GB on it and some files that I quick formatted with FAT32 then added the Clear Linux Desktop OS. I then plugged it in to a Intel NUC8iBEH1, turned it on, and I am now typing on it so it connects to the internet just fine.
TL-WA850RE at Network
Main Post:
Hello,
I am supposed to see at Network all connected devices but
I see a device called TL-WA850RE which is not connected from my side
and at properties i see
maker TP-Link
model TL-WA850RE
serial number 12345678
and a mac address
please tell me what to do in order to get rid of it
Thank you
Top Comment: Hello, I am supposed to see at Network all connected devices but I see a device called TL-WA850RE which is not connected from my side and at properties i see maker TP-Link model TL-WA850RE serial number 12345678 and a mac address please tell me...
My 30 Days at Network School: The Reality Behind Balaji's Network State Vision
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TL;DR: Network School has an amazing vision but fails at basic community building. Without clear values and intentional culture, you just recreate the same segregated, hierarchical society we're trying to escape.
Just finished my month at Network School in Forest City, Malaysia - Balaji Srinivasan's experiment in building a "network state." Going to be brutally honest: it was pretty underwhelming.
The Vision vs. Reality
Don't get me wrong - Balaji's vision is compelling. The idea of leveraging "dark talent" (high-quality individuals from countries like India and SEA who lack opportunities available to similarly talented people in the West) and creating an alternative to traditional nation-states sounds amazing on paper.
But here's the thing: a state is its people. And if you don't define clear values or culture, you get Lord of the Flies real quick.
What I Actually Observed
The Social Hierarchy Problem
The resident community feels more like high school than a revolutionary society. There's this weird emphasis on "burn" sessions (gamified fitness with NFTs - yes, really) where the fitness-obsessed crowd dominates the social hierarchy, regardless of actual intelligence or contribution.
Segregation by Default
Without intentional culture-building, people default to familiar patterns:
- G7 nationals clustering together, considering themselves elite
- Indian residents forming their own circles after being excluded from "white" spaces
- Low attendance at cross-cultural events (barely any white folks at Bollywood parties, people of color not invited to exclusive hangouts)
The team seems to think culture will develop "organically," but without defined values and intentional integration activities, you just recreate the same segregated world we're trying to escape.
The Gender Gap
New societies need women. This place is heavily male-skewed, and it shows in the planning. No hospital, no pharmacy on the island. Women's needs clearly weren't prioritized in the design. Balaji needs a female co-leader at his level - representation matters for attracting and retaining women.
Brain Drain Problem
Here's the brutal truth: talent attracts talent. As someone who values intellectual stimulation, I found very few genuinely smart, engaging people. Why would high-IQ individuals stay when they could have:
- High-paying jobs with benefits
- Access to developed infrastructure
- Connections to investors and opportunities
- Stimulating peer groups
Instead, you get digital nomads treating this as cheap SEA living with a social scene.
What Needs to Change
Define and Enforce Values: You can't build a society without a clear identity and belief system that leadership actively models.
Address Segregation: Intentional activities and policies to break down ethnic/national cliques.
Deliver Real Value: Stop being a real estate operation. Where are the investor connections? The job opportunities? The guest speakers? When America attracted settlers, they promised land and resources - what's the equivalent promise here?
Fix the Gender Balance: Bring in female leadership and address women's practical needs.
Attract Actual Talent: Weed out the nomads who are just there for cheap living. Create incentives for genuinely valuable people to stay.
The Bottom Line
The network state concept could work, but right now it feels like Balaji is more focused on selling property than building a society. Great vision, poor execution.
Anyone else been to Network School or similar experiments? Curious about other perspectives.
Top Comment: 9.9M subscribers in the CryptoCurrency community. The leading community for cryptocurrency news, discussion, and analysis.
Difference between Network Operations and Network Technicians at an ISP.
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Hi all.
I've been planning my career path (started as tech support, but the company promotes from within).
They are both hard positions to get. What's the difference between the two roles, and what should I do to get there?
Top Comment:
operations = more support/management functions technicians = more hands on type stuff.
That said, position descriptions are only worth as much as the person in HR making them
How good is AT&T Fiber 300Mbps internet?
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Just got a notice that my Spectrum internet bill is increasing to $91.99 a month after my promo ended and that I’m not eligible for another one. I was researching alternatives in my area and saw that AT&T plans start at $55/month and come with rewards cards that cover $100 + 2 months of service for joining. I was wondering if it’s decent service (really only need it for 2 laptops in the home) and whether there’s any billing surprises involved later on.
Top Comment: Fiber is so much better then any coax internet. I would have swapped as soon as fiber was available. 300/300 is plenty for what you say your needs are. No billing surprises
Reddit - The heart of the internet
Main Post: Reddit - The heart of the internet
NFL Network
Main Post: NFL Network