Major mergers and their colossal consequences

Abstract

Most research scientists who have been in the business for some time have attended many national or international meetings. There is a great deal of sameness about the conference formats, the lecture halls, and the hotels. There are differences; some meetings may be very large gatherings, and others small workshops. The venue may have spectacular natural beauty, a unique cultural ambience, or be in a lively urban locale. More often, given the location of college campuses, it is less exciting. The presentations are usually a mix of updates on continuing projects of interest to the participants, and perhaps some new twists and discoveries that will be evaluated in many corridor conversations. However, most of it is not revolutionary stuff, and would be of little interest to anybody outside those particular corridors and lecture halls.