On 14 nov 2012, at 21:08, "John Levine" <johnl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> Going to other places would help bring people from other backgrounds, >> different ideas, new ways of thinking, break paradigms, etc. > > If these people are unable or unwilling to join IETF mailing lists, why > do you think it would be useful for them to go to an IETF meeting? > > If they are able and willing to join IETF mailing lists, why does the > location of the meeting matter? As Arturo says, having people that traditionally go to an IETF meeting travel to (for them) far away places and (for them) new cultures, do definitely open their eyes to how large our world is. I completely agree with Arturo here. It is enough to be on one of the mailing lists (one of many) where complaints come in regarding a venue. Regardless of whether it has to do with weather, temperature indoors, cookies, water, visa, walking, train tickets or whatever. Then you understand how local the IETF culture is. Regarding both culture and geography. Patrik