Society column

September is the conference month. For politicians this means soundbites by the sea but health workers are less ostentatious. Across the country university halls of residence are almost—but not quite—cleared of drawing pins, bits of adhesive putty, and peremptory notices before being filled by carers with name badges.

Everyone agrees that the most useful part of any conference is the social interaction. No organiser, however, carries this to its logical conclusion by dispensing with talks …