(I really did not know what was the best place where to post this, I hope here is ok. @admins, please move/mute this if necessary)
Dear all,
Ever since I joined this forum in October 2024, I have been thorn by a matter that I want to share with you now, hoping that maybe you have some advice, reflections, or that you can empathize with my feelings.
I would absolutely immensely love to be at OFFDEM all the time, because, even if I have never attended, I really feel like this is the kind of gathering where I can be myself, and where true human and intellectual connections can take place.
Nevertheless, I am an unemployed, relatively clueless, neurodivergent university dropout, and I am not sure if I can afford not to go to FOSDEM since, unfortunately, the massive amount of people and organizations present could offer potential employment opportunities or “useful” connections. Believe me, I feel sick dealing with this awful capitalist/productive mentality, but this is the reality I find myself forced to come to terms with.
Therefore, I have been trying to find a way to juggle and attend both events, but I know this takes quite a mental and physical toll. I am wondering if you have any practices you follow not to get crazy. Or maybe we could do this together?
I have been to Roza Nera, but it looks like it is ~20 minutes by bike from ULB… seems doable! What do you think?
Lastly, I have been trying to involve some friends and Fedifriends in OFFDEM, but for similar reasons as mine they cannot really make it. Maybe we could organize a group of people who share the same FOMO or need/want to go to FOSDEM for whatever reason, and then we move together from one place to the other?
(Not that I want to do back and forth all the time, I foresee to move from ULB – Roza Nera at most twice per day)
I created a Signal group if you want to try this experiment.
I would be very happy to know your thoughts about this! Thank you so much for your understanding!
Tommi