I would avoid a pre-conference thread, frankly. I can’t think of any solution-coping-based result that will be productive.
I like the idea of an open thread – and I really like the idea of framing that thread in terms of looking for helpful things, knowing there will be things that nettle.
I also like the idea of starting separate threads after conference has ended to discuss each talk – so that we can focus the “negative” reactions in specific threads and not have dominate the open thread.
What does everyone think of that approach?