Physics conferences in the United Kingdom

‘Many though not all conferences and summer schools are also free holidays in the sun … Large conferences with many hundreds of participants are frequently almost useless from the point of view of disseminating information and the only positive aspect is that they act as hiring fairs for young people … the quality of presentation of the work is frequently appalling … many short talks are scheduled because speakers can have their fares paid only if they are actually giving a paper … unbelievable quantities of liquor are drunk at conferences. A good start is made by all the overseas participants bringing in their duty‐free allowances … some speakers never see their slides in focus.’