[monocat]

I ran a meetup for 10 years, and right when I handed it off to my new co-organizer to take over, COVID hit. That pretty much killed it. Didn’t help that the platform we were focused on also got acquired around the same time.

A while later I tried starting another meetup around a different platform I had gotten into, but it never really went anywhere. The turn out was low and most people who showed up were mainly looking for help with their own projects.

Honestly, it felt the same at most tech events I’ve been to the last few years. A lot of people were there strictly for networking, leads, or trying to get help. Not many genuine connections. I thought I made a few, but after a couple interactions they disappeared fast. It just hasn’t felt the same. Now I'm very picky as to which ones to attend.

Maybe COVID changed people. Maybe the newer generation approaches tech meetups differently. Maybe it’s AI. I don’t know.

My favorite networking era was 2008-2012.

And yes, I’m not old.