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# The invitations
- URL: https://balaustine.mymagic.page/the-invitations/
- Published: 2019-11-07T18:12:16.000Z
- Updated: 2019-11-07T18:12:16.000Z
- Author: VM
- Tags: Life notes, grumpy, manel, public speaking, science communication, #Migrated-1787483357778, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-23 11:09

First, I was invited to speak at a science communication meeting in X in November. Next, I was invited to host an event at Y around the same date. Then I was invited to speak at Z on the same date. Since I'd already been to a few science communication meetings similar to the one in X, I figured Y was more important, so I declined to come. But when the Z invitation arrived, I found it was more important since it was a national event, so I declined Y. Finally, the Z event's organisers put me on a manel; when I refused to participate, they rescinded their invitation. Now I was available again but I couldn't go to X or Y because when I turned them down, I had nominated others in my stead and they had confirmed their participation.

https://media.giphy.com/media/6xgslyYQCyLa8/giphy.gif