Rationality isn't about being a straw vulcan.
If you want to make progress on issues that matter, you need to deal with emotions. In an environment of distance, people won't be open about their deepest issues.
Building relationships between the participants is also an important goal. They allow people to create projects together. Having meet in person makes it easier to communicate via email afterwards.
It's also simply fun.
The European Community Weekend in Berlin is over and was plain awesome.
This is no complete report of the event but a place where you can e.g. comment on the event, link to photos or what else you want to share.
I'm not the organizer of the Meetup but I have been there and for me it was the most grand experience since last years European Community Weekend. Meeting so many energetic, compassionate and in general awesome people - some from last year or many new. Great presentations and workshops. And such a positive and open athmosphere.
Cheers to all participants!
See also the Facebook Group for the Community Event.