Domain blogging hit rock bottom during and after Domainfest. The ultra-successful domain conference and Playboy Mansion fiesta gathered more than 700 domainers during its three days.
The rewards of attending the show were many, however some domainers complained of dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, sneezing, dry throat, oily palms and nocturnal emissions as soon as the conference ended.
Was it the flu?
Dr. Hugh Jorgan is a professor at St. Paul’s University Clinic in Santa Barbara, California. A few domainers went there to be examined after the show; Dr. Jorgan analyzed urine samples and has come to the conclusion it was not the flu.
“Those symptoms are very much like the flu that can be spread during conferences and mass gatherings”, said Dr. Jorgan.
“A large number of the specimens were consistent with the flu strand H1P1 – the common flu. But others were not.”
So what was that mysterious illness that hit more than one third of the Domainfest attendants, according to DNJournal?
“It was most likely due to a combination of too much food, too much alcohol, not enough sleep and many unprotected sexual encounters during that 72 hour period”, says Dr. Jorgan.
“I would not be surprised if 9 months from now we see an increase in births among domainers; we should also be able to observe an increase of maternity leaves at various companies that provide services to domainers”, added Dr. Hugh Jorgan.
Domainers are advised to behave their best when gathering in large numbers; carrying sanitizing lotion or avoiding the exchange of bodily fluids is also a good practice, especially during the winter months.
Funny how you are joking about this and few hours later, I see the DomainFest Flu alert on Domaining.com.
>>> avoiding the exchange of bodily fluids is also a good practice <<<
What does this mean ?
OK, I really think that way too much virtual ink has been allocated to this ‘mystery illness’ topic.
For those of us who didn’t attend — but have attended hundreds of other conferences and tradeshows — we get it: when lots of people gather together, sicknesses frequently spread. Noted.
Funny, though, that I was just at CES with tens-of-thousands of people from all over the world – and I don’t recall reading a single post-event blog post about ‘mass sickness.’
Bottom line is that readers have very little time as it is to devote to reading blog posts: So if you are going to put out more articles like this on a matter that less than 100 [of them] care about, you’re wasting everyone’s time.
Gene
Sorry Scoop, I broke this “story”. Of course I was actually there
@Gene CES did not have a bacteria-laden fog machine envelope its patrons like the one at a certain evening event at DomainFest. You can check out Ron Jackson’s DnForum for more details and complain to him that he’s also “wasting everyone’s time.”
I’m going to disagree with Gene and say the ink on this “Domainfest Flu” situation is quite important.
The write ups are bringing forth a number of infected folk with the result that it’s possible the infection may be bacterial not viral.
The distinction is very relevant. Antibiotics can help with bacterial infections.
Additionally this “press” coverage may help unravel the source of the infection.
As reported on DNJournal yesterday, one theory proferred is that the fog machine used during the Playboy Mansion party may be the culprit.
Whatever the cause, the extent of the number of infected and the possible cause would never be revealed without this coverage including the coverage here on DG.
Reportedly this illness has progressed to pneumonia at least in one case according to DNJournal.
Prominent domainer David Castello’s warning to seek medical care if you are infected and have a weakened immune system or experience shortness of breath or lung congestion may possibly save some someone’s life.
End of my SoapBox. 🙂
Moral of the story: When going to a domain conference with the intent to frolic, use a condom 😀
@ Pub.
I read Ron’s (and everyone else’s) blogs – but don’t put any of their images over my fireplace. The blogs only exist to educate and add-value to their audience…like any other product or service. And this (seemingly endless) string of stories about the domainers’ deteriorating health is really doing a disservice to the entire industry. Enough already.
As it is this entire industry is still not taken seriously by most mainstream businesspeople (although, thankfully, that’s starting to change). But this endless “I’m sick mommy” whining isn’t going to do anything at all to advance the cause, so to speak. Moreover, because the only people who care about this ‘incident’ are those who were directly affected by it, keeping this ball in the air is just reinforcing an image that this industry is a disfunctional clique of former used-car salesmen.
Sorry to vent, but I think it’s time to move-on…
gene
Gene – When David Castello is one of those affected, the entire industry weakens. All this, jokes and fun and parody aside.
Get well soon to all those that got sick at Domainfest!
I also wish everyone well, and hope the affected get better very quickly. No question about it…