Genes and homology

What is your favourite/least favourite conference? I don't have a favourite conference series, and I can only guess what my least favourite would be. The most exciting single conference that I ever attended took place in Soviet Armenia in 1971. It was entitled “Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence”. What made it memorable was the mix of bright and lively participants who covered everything from anthropology to theoretical physics. At the banquet our host, the astronomer Viktor Ambartsumian, called on each guest to propose a toast, after which we were expected to down a glass of vodka. I vaguely remember a wonderful toast in Bushman click language by the anthropologist Richard Lee and my own toast to all extraterrestrial Armenians where-ever they may be. I also remember Francis Crick, seeking relief from vodka, pouring a tumbler of what looked like water from a large jug, only to find it was more vodka. The young Russian student who came to help him told him not to worry, “the last Englishman to come to a party here had to be carried home”.