It’s my first time at a conference. I feel nervous, not sure what to expect. I get there and I realize I am going to present my research in less than 30 minutes. The nerves start to kick in and I wonder if people are going to like it.
The time comes, I walk in the room, I set up my poster. 20 people swarm around me and stare. Suddenly I feel the nerves fade away. I realize something: this is my research; I know my research better than anyone else in this room. I own it, and I have to make that clear. I start talking and all eyes are on me. I spoke slow and steady, and when I looked at the crowd, I saw people who care, people who want to know more. What do I do? I give it to them.
The point of scientific research is to give your results back to the community. The final goal is to fill a gap in understanding, but in doing that, ten more gaps are created. That’s the beauty of research: the job is never done.
I finish presenting, I am greeted with a round of applause. A couple of researchers stay to inquire about my experience. A news reporter takes me aside to interview me. The whole ordeal feels otherworldly. If you told me five years ago that I would be presenting my first research project at a national conference, and gaining the attention of other established researchers in the field, I would have said that you’re crazy. But no, thats not craziness. Rather, it is passion.
Passion. It’s something that connects all humans. Every person has a passion of some kind. Mine is for environmental science. Yours could be for music. The point is that we are all passionate about something, and that’s what makes us people. At the Tar Creek Conference, I saw a whole crowd of people with the same passion as me. They are my people. Each presenter that went up onto the podium took a moment to connect with us, to connect with the community. There was one gentleman who took photographs of birds and insects. Each photo was different and marvelous in its own way. Whether it be the softness of the species, or its facial expression, or the way light reflected off the wings, each one was special. For each photo he showed, the crowd reacted a little more. Up until the point where we were laughing and cheering for the last few birds. We were united.
I hope that in my attempt to convey the poetic nature and atmosphere of the conference, that I did not take away from it. For no words could do justice to what I experienced today.
Actually, there is one word that comes close. A simple word, but one with meaning.
Magical.
Green insights 