On Not Attending CHI

The ACM's CHI Conference, which is (arguably) one of the most significant in the fields where I do research, starts today in Paris. Despite having two papers there, I made the difficult decision not to attend. Here's why.

My wife and I are pregnant, and... we're expecting twins. As you might guess, I'm thrilled beyond description. Also, as it turns out, twins have a propensity for being born early. At a doctor's visit a few months ago, I asked how early. The date range the doctor gave for when they are likely to be born starts this week.

So, after numerous difficult conversations, I decided not to go to Paris. Chances are there would not have been any problems, but I just didn't want to risk missing the birth of my children.

If you're at CHI this week, be sure to check out my fantastic co-authors presenting our work, first in the Social Media Practices session on Thursday at 11 a.m., then in the Understanding Privacy session on Thursday at 2 p.m.