ITCS: some innovations

Today I looked at the ITCS web page, to register (even though I'll miss the first day), and, lo and behold! They're going to have some innovations!

People looking for jobs (graduating students and postdocs completing their postdoc this year) will each be given a few minutes to present their work. They are asked to send email before December 15. I am looking forward to that event, to get a quick snapshot of our field, as represented by the most recent PhD theses.

Each session will be preceded by a short "chair rant". I am very curious to see how that will turn out. It all depends on the personality of the session chairs, of course. Will it be a waste of time, will it provide some actual insights into the papers, will it be fun? It is intriguing.

There's also going to be improvisational theater. I am more dubious about that and will probably simply sit in the back; it doesn't seem like my thing. But de gustibus non est disputandum.