Here is why you present material at a conference: I write a book and at the end of the process, there are inevitably some loose ends. I go to a conference, present the material with some of the loose ends and say, “Hey, here’s a loose end. Anyone have an idea of how to tie it up?”
And this morning two people did.
I also found a way to end my talk with the words, “football will save American education.” But I’m in Alabama, and I realized it was a challenge to see if I could do that ethically, truthfully, and artistically. Gauging by the reaction, I think I succeeded. But it was the feedback that was more valuable.