Now no one can. Your slice can be just as large as anyone's slice was three years ago, and just as rich and wonderful. It just can't be the same percentage. By making one's own conference list, one makes ones own neighborhood. In addition, pre-setting clusters of related conferences is a promising idea.
Regional alliances make sense for some subject matter.
But in other ways the old linked topic might be better. Because if I was interested in jokes, I'd love having that material among the topics to choose from in the Jokes conference. Incredibly flexible, if we use it imaginatively and intelligently. The WELL evolves, and I have a lot of hope. The microcosm is very important.