Daniel Drolet writes…

Friday May 22

Talking to passionate people is always stimulating. And after a couple of weeks interviewing professors and researchers presenting papers at Congress 09, I can certainly I’ve been stimulated. Arctic sovereignty. Visible minorities. Hockey. Hyperactivity. The economic crisis. Canada’s grocery industry … rarely have I encountered such an eclectic range of topics in one place.

And rarely have I encountered so many people – the researchers themselves – so passionately interested in telling the world about what they do.

People sometimes assume that because I make my living as a freelance writer/editor/communicator, I must enjoy the act of writing.

I suppose I do.

But I’ve given the matter enough thought over the years to understand that as far as I am concerned, writing is not end in itself.

What I enjoy most about my work is the opportunities it gives me to learn new things. I merely use writing as a way of synthesizing what I have learned.

And from a learning perspective, getting ready for Congress 09 has been a most wonderful opportunity.

In fact, I’d say it’s been a real treat.

After all, like most people I have a busy life.

It’s been great to have a chance to just delve into new topics with people who are experts in their field.

Though I have interviewed many social scientists and humanists over the course of my career, this is the first time I have attended a congress.

The people I interviewed were only one small fraction of the total number of attendees.

I can’t imagine the sheer volume of knowledge that’s all going to be in one place at Carleton…

Saturday May 23

There are a lot of people wandering around the Carleton campus with a lost look on their faces today.

However, it’s not the lost look that identifies them as participants in Congress 2009 – it’s the name tags and the tote bags they all seem to have.

Those name tags and the tote bags are the badge of belonging to the premier gathering of some of the country’s most brilliant minds.

When you come to a gathering as big as this one, it can be overwhelming – particularly for first-timers. But even though it was obvious a lot of people were new to the city – hence the lost looks – it was equally obvious that people weren’t staying lost for long.

A look at the program shows there’s an important social element to Congress. After all, even brilliant minds need to cut loose once in a while.

Along with the meetings and the workshops, the delegates’ guide tells of numerous opportunities to meet, greet, network or simply relax.

A prime example: the Quad Beer Garden. The beer tent is open every afternoon during Congress. Apart from the obvious attraction (beer) and the regular performance by bands, the tent is a natural gathering place and a place to socialize.

And on a sunny Saturday afternoon, none of the people around the beer tent looked lost. In fact the quad echoed with some pretty loud laughter.

Carleton is also hosting a series of cultural events this week. Today there was a singer-songwriter concert. And there are jazz concerts every noon hours at the Loeb Wine Bar.

Is that the secret of Congress? Having fun?

Daniel Drolet is an Ottawa writer and communicator who has never been to Congress before. He will be blogging about his experiences at Congress on the website.