I’ve been attending some local events–lectures, presentations and whatnot–in addition to hosting my own. Attendence is small at most of them, less than 15 people. Jimbo had mentioned a while back that he was disappointed in attendance at his Big Gorilla sessions.

My question is do you think that the increased tenure and promotion requirements at most institutions actually squelch participation in such community activities?

I was wandering across campus today thinking that this place is supposed to be a community, but how much of a community is it? Are there separate communities? And are these presentations, lectures, colloquia, etc. ways of forming community and if no one attends, does it mean they don’t want to be a part of the community? What is it that we are trying to foster on college campuses–especially smaller campuses?

Okay, that was more than one question.