Networking is difficult. To meet new people, you have put yourself in a position of vulnerability. If you’re like me, this is energetically unfavorable. To overcome this activation energy, you can either apply a force (i.e. just approach someone) or find an enzyme to lower the activation energy. Dinner Meet-Ups are the enzyme.
Last year, I’m told, there was modest interest. Twelve or so people showed up per night. This year, that is not the case.
The organizers, being prudent forward thinkers, booked a restaurant for 30, more than twice the attendance last year. This still wasn’t enough. By 5:30, 46 biophysicists were waiting in the Moscone South Lobby.
After some quick improvisation, our party split into two. Thirty went to the original reservation, and the rest, my group, went to a nearby Indian restaurant* on the recommendation of a San Francisco local.
After a short walk, we walked in and were seated immediately.
The entire dinner experience was very organic. We were all talking so much with our neighbors that it took half of dinner to realize we hadn’t met the entire group. So partly through with our meals, it was suggested that we go around the table and introduce ourselves. I met people with similar passions, similar struggles, similar expertise, but from wildly different backgrounds.
Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Singapore, Argentina, India, Mexico, people from all over the world assembled here on a sort of nerdy blind date! Ion channels, cytoplasm dynamics, molecular dynamics, membrane active peptides, GPCR oligomerization, there was as much diversity in research as in nationality.
If you came here to meet new and interesting friends, these dinners are for you. I will definitely be going again.
Dinner Meet-Ups are the enzyme that lowers the activation energy, but there is still energy input required, you have to show up. If you do, you might just leave with a bond.
The meetups will occur again at 5:30pm tonight.
*If you like Indian food, check out Chaat Corner at 320 3rd st. It was only a short walk from Moscone Center, the food was delicious, and the price was budget-friendly!
-Justin Westerfield