Call for Papers: Sunday TAM6

[cosmic]

Once again the call is out for anyone who would like the podium for 20 minutes at TAM6 to submit a proposal.

The details and application form are now posted here: http://www.randi.org/joom/content/view/159/2/

Past topics have ranged from psychic earthquake detection to demonstrations of natural selection though AI. They have included passionate advocacy against charlatans and controlled studies of Penta miracle water. What can you contribute? Here is a full list of all papers presented for TAMs 1 to 5:
http://physics.csufresno.edu/rhall/jref/papers_tam1-5.htm

The call is going out on a short notice this time due to the time change for this year's TAM, so potential presenters only have about two months to get an application in. If you have any questions about the process or topics let me know.

Imagine, 20 minutes on Sunday morning (with 5 for questions) in front of the unique audience of TAM (roughly 800 in attendance last year). I look forward to your applications!

[Wolfman]

Done...and done.

Have submitted a proposal to give a presentation about my work with the Mosuo, particularly in the context of how to teach an atheist/rationalist worldview in a culture that is entirely religious, and until recently had almost no exposure to the outside world.

For anyone who hasn't read it, I have written quite a lengthy thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=72651)about the Mosuo and our work with them elsewhere in these forums.

What I want to do is look at the issue of the "us vs. them" mentality that tends to be typical of most discussions on the matter, and relate my own personal experiences in working with the Mosuo, in particular our practice of first understanding religious/spiritual beliefs of the Mosuo, and then presenting information to them within that context.

An example -- medical care. The Mosuo have no understanding of viruses or bacteria, and trying to explain it to them, or 'prove' it (in villages that don't even have electricity, and have been isolated from the rest of the world until very recently) is almost impossible. Yes, it is the "truth"; but given their own experiences and world view, it is a "truth" that doesn't match with their perceived reality.

So we've begun working with local spiritual/religious leaders, presenting viruses and germs as "our version of spirits", and medicine and medical treatment as "rituals and tools to get rid of those spirits." This approach has led to a huge change, as these spiritual leaders who previously resisted us fiercely now work with us to encourage Mosuo to seek proper medical treatment. (Of course, long-term, we want to educate the younger generation to have a more natural, scientific understanding of the world; but this takes time)

If accepted, I hope to use this opportunity both to present information on the strategies we've used, and the results; and hopefully to get some discussion going about the different approaches to this situation, and whether or not it is "right" for a scientific, atheist person to use beliefs in the supernatural to get the desired results, rather than trying simply to prove those beliefs are wrong.

...oh...and since this thread is simply about people submitting papers, I'd suggest that if people have comments/questions about this, it might be appropriate to either raise those in the Mosuo thread, or else start a new discussion.

Don't know if this proposal will actually be accepted...but would love the chance to speak at TAM 6. :)

[cosmic]

Thanks Wolfman!

[kittynh]

wow! I still one day would like to present on "Teaching Critical Thinking to Preschoolers"

Sadly I know it would be the one talk where everyone would go out for breakfast

("hmmm, talking to 3 year olds about the Big Bang? Anyone want to go to Denny's?")


oh well, my UFO/sex talk always wows them on the radio...but putting together a Power Point could require some time and I'm not sure I can transport it over state lines.

[Wolfman]

kitty,

How about you do a talk about "How To Become Wealthy and Popular Being a JREF Forum Moderator"?

[kittynh]

kitty,

How about you do a talk about "How To Become Wealthy and Popular Being a JREF Forum Moderator"?

hahahahahahahahahahaha!

When that happens Wolfman, I'll give the talk!

[ottle]

I'm considering proposing a talk about the Indian rationalists and the work they do. It's not really *my* thing though - it would be talking about someone else - wonder if that's valid. Of course, if I can get Premanand to come to TAM (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=105576), this would be moot :)

What do you think? Does the talk have to be focussed on your own work or could it showcase other people's work?

[quixotecoyote]

Does the paper have to be unpublished/not yet presented or can it be something I'm giving at another forum in March?

[cosmic]

What do you think? Does the talk have to be focussed on your own work or could it showcase other people's work?

It depends on the talk. In this case I think some significant affiliation with the described group would be preferable, especially if the talk supportive of their work.

Many talks showcase the work of others and typically add on a new contribution they made.

So it's hard to say. If you prepare a proposal, I promise the committee will consider it.

[cosmic]

Does the paper have to be unpublished/not yet presented or can it be something I'm giving at another forum in March?

The work does not have to be presented as new-- that's asking too much perhaps. However the topic should be repackaged/directed to the TAM audience and must adhere to the 20 minute time constraint. I look forward to your proposal!

[DiskoVilante]

Hrm...I'd love to give a talk on how hard it is to run skeptics/atheist/rationalists groups at universities. Would that be a good topic?

Damn, I'd love to give a paper and make a fool of myself in front of all you smart people.

[cosmic]

Hrm...I'd love to give a talk on how hard it is to run skeptics/atheist/rationalists groups at universities. Would that be a good topic?


This seems indeed to be a challenge. Freethinker groups have been attempted on my campus a couple times in the past few years and they seem to run out of steam early on.

I would look for hard research content in a talk on this topic-- how many universities have active groups? Are there identifiable reasons that starting such groups fail? (Is there any evidence for this premise?) I know CSI (CFI) has some outreach services towards encouraging campus freethought groups. So that would be a place to start perhaps?

I look forward to your proposal =)

[Horatius]

This seems indeed to be a challenge. Freethinker groups have been attempted on my campus a couple times in the past few years and they seem to run out of steam early on.

I would look for hard research content in a talk on this topic-- how many universities have active groups? Are there identifiable reasons that starting such groups fail? (Is there any evidence for this premise?) I know CSI (CFI) has some outreach services towards encouraging campus freethought groups. So that would be a place to start perhaps?

I look forward to your proposal =)


Another aspect I would investigate, from my experience with University martial arts clubs - how involved are more permanent members of the University community, like profs or University staff? With specialized interest groups, a purely student run organization has to cope with rapid turnover of members as people graduate (or drop out ;)). One or two bad years, and the club can disappear completely. The best University MA clubs I know of have at least one staff member as a club member, to provided year-to-year continuity.

This also helps older (alumni) members come back to the club, and provide help and support. I can go back to my old Iaido club at the Univeristy of Guelph, and say, "Hi Kim!" to the guy running it, and it's like I've never left, but with my old kendo club at the University of Waterloo, I don't know any of the guys currently running it, so I'm less inclined to drop by for a visit if I'm in the area.

[DiskoVilante]

Another aspect I would investigate, from my experience with University martial arts clubs - how involved are more permanent members of the University community, like profs or University staff? With specialized interest groups, a purely student run organization has to cope with rapid turnover of members as people graduate (or drop out ;)). One or two bad years, and the club can disappear completely. The best University MA clubs I know of have at least one staff member as a club member, to provided year-to-year continuity.


I have a project in the works for my group at UCLA. We will mass message all professors on campus to see if they'd be interested in being members of the group or advisory committee members. I'll try to get them involved so that if the group "dies" there will always be some faculty around to start it up again.

[Wolfman]

I've been working for several years on establishing the first-ever Humanist/Skeptical association in China; not an easy task, but slowly getting there. Hopefully, some day, will be able to talk about this from the perspective of having accomplished it.

While some issues I face are unique to China (such as the political environment), other issues are similar to those faced by others organizing similar groups/associations, so it would certainly benefit me to hear more from someone who's actually done this successfully.

[DiskoVilante]

I've been working for several years on establishing the first-ever Humanist/Skeptical association in China; not an easy task, but slowly getting there. Hopefully, some day, will be able to talk about this from the perspective of having accomplished it.

While some issues I face are unique to China (such as the political environment), other issues are similar to those faced by others organizing similar groups/associations, so it would certainly benefit me to hear more from someone who's actually done this successfully.

Are you working with CFI?

[Wolfman]

Are you working with CFI?
Very loosely. They had a conference here last year, that was organized in partnership with a Chinese organization (the organization is currently a scientific organization, but wants to get more officially involved in promoting Humanism in China). Got to meet the top folks from CFI, and we had some good talks, but the majority of cooperation is with the Chinese side.

[DiskoVilante]

Very loosely. They had a conference here last year, that was organized in partnership with a Chinese organization (the organization is currently a scientific organization, but wants to get more officially involved in promoting Humanism in China). Got to meet the top folks from CFI, and we had some good talks, but the majority of cooperation is with the Chinese side.

I'm glad to hear the Chinese side is cooperating majorly. I think that's a good sign.

[RSLancastr]

Have submitted a proposal to give a presentation about my work with the Mosuo, particularly in the context of how to teach an atheist/rationalist worldview in a culture that is entirely religious, and until recently had almost no exposure to the outside world.Sounds interesting, but I suggest you practice speed-talking to get it done in 20 minutes! :D

[Wolfman]

Sounds interesting, but I suggest you practice speed-talking to get it done in 20 minutes! :DOh, I've done similar presentations tons of times, anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours :D Even held a live presentation on Second Life, with over 100 cyber-attendees. The key is to understand that you're not going to have a chance of explaining everything in detail, and instead simply put out enough basic info to attract the interest of others; the really meaningful discussion will take place afterwards, in one-on-one discussion, email exchanges, etc.

My concern is that the topic simply won't be considered relevant to the conference, especially considering that the theme is "Modern Skepticism in the Internet Age", and my talk focuses on a culture that largely doesn't even have electricity, much less internet. Interesting topic...yes. Appropriate for TAM 6? I dunno.

[Horatius]

My concern is that the topic simply won't be considered relevant to the conference, especially considering that the theme is "Modern Skepticism in the Internet Age", and my talk focuses on a culture that largely doesn't even have electricity, much less internet. Interesting topic...yes. Appropriate for TAM 6? I dunno.


I wouldn't worry about that, the submitted papers usually don't seem to conform to the theme. My talk on patents last year had very little to do with "Skepticism and the Media".

Besides which, from what I read above, part of your work involves trying to lay some ground work to eventualy bring them into the modern era. That's certainly relevant - what does it take to change such a culture into one that can deal with the Internet age, without completely messing them up in the process?

[athon]

Actually, it might be interesting if we both get in, Wolfman. I'm wanting to present on my experience with science education and communication during my time with Questacon, which involved Indigenous cultural studies and spending time in a few Aboriginal communities teaching science. It would be great to compare notes on cultural relativism and critical thinking.

Athon

[Wolfman]

Actually, it might be interesting if we both get in, Wolfman. I'm wanting to present on my experience with science education and communication during my time with Questacon, which involved Indigenous cultural studies and spending time in a few Aboriginal communities teaching science. It would be great to compare notes on cultural relativism and critical thinking.

AthonIf they don't accept us, we'll just organize our own informal presentation/discussion at a local pub :D

[Horatius]

I had another idea for a patent-related talk, so I've just now sent the proposal to Prof. Hall.

So, now I'm torn: Giving talks is fun, but not giving talks means I can hang out at the Forum Party longer......

[RSLancastr]

Everyone cross your fingers for my paper proposal:

Fighting Unreason on the Web: Selection and Optimal Placement of Kitten Pictures.

I promise that the PowerPoint presentation will be enjoyable and instructive.

[Horatius]

Just because of that, I'm going to stick a picture of my cats right in the middle of my talk!

That's right, I'm going to Kitten TAM6!!

[krelnik]

Well, since I just sent my paper proposal in to Ray, I thought I might bump the thread.

* BUMP *

Six days left, people! Get those proposals submitted!

[Horatius]

Six days left, people! Get those proposals submitted!



Or alternatively, don't, and get subjected to me&krelnik Sunday morning!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

("hmmm, talking to 3 year olds about the Big Bang? Anyone want to go to Denny's?")

The "big bang" is how those 3 year olds were made! :)

[Wolfman]

Just a quick question -- the deadline has come and gone (decisions and notifications were supposed to be made by May 16), and personally I've heard nothing, nor has there been any update or announcement made on the website. I tried emailing cosmic, and got no reply.

I'm fine if I wasn't one of the people chosen...just would like some verification.

[Dumb All Over]

Just a quick question -- the deadline has come and gone....
I, too, submitted a proposal and have not heard of a final decision. On the TAM6 Papers page it says, "We will accept proposals until April 16, 2008 and we will notify the selected speakers before May 16, 2008." I take that to mean my proposal was not accepted.

[Wolfman]

I, too, submitted a proposal and have not heard of a final decision. On the TAM6 Papers page it says, "We will accept proposals until April 16, 2008 and we will notify the selected speakers before May 16, 2008." I take that to mean my proposal was not accepted.Yeah, that's my suspicion also...but would be nice to have it confirmed :)

[krelnik]

Actually Ray (cosmic) contacted some folks via email on this past Sunday regarding this. (The only two people I know for sure were contacted are myself and tkingdoll, both of our papers were accepted).

That's all I know.

[Wolfman]

Thanks, Krelnik...just needed confirmation that the emails had been sent :)

[Horatius]

I got an e-mail at 2:15am today, that said I hadn't been selected, so it looks like he's sending them out a few at a time. Apparently, the decision process was a difficult one, resulting in some delay.

[krelnik]

For whatever its worth, when Ray contacted me he specifically requested me to confirm that I was in fact attending. He did not explain why, but I inferred from this that they have in the past gotten paper submissions from folks who (for whatever reason) ended up not attending. Since the whole idea is to foster discussion of new skeptical ideas on Sunday, I would imagine this could be a problem.

Anyhow, I'm guessing that in order to avoid problems with this, they send out the emails in rounds. That way if it turns out a chosen presenter is actually not attending, they can offer that slot to someone else.

I would further imagine that after all of this has been solidified, we'll hear something official.

Boy, that's an awful lot of speculation on my part to post on a skeptical forum. I think I'll duck down behind the couch now, to minimize the thrown fruit that actually impact upon my skull.

[krelnik]

Just thought I would bump this thread as a place to talk about the paper presentations now that they have occurred. Any thoughts?

I particularly liked Steve Cuno (http://www.responseagency.com/blog/)'s (the one on irrationality in the marketing/advertising business) and of course Lee Graham's on evolving creatures in the computer (http://www.stellaralchemy.com/lee/virtual_creatures.html). (I can't wait to see where his line of research goes in the years ahead!) And of course Teek's presentation was fantastic as well.

For anyone interested in my presentation, I've finally got the transcript edited and posted here:
http://skeptools.com/2008/07/01/building-internet-tools-for-skeptics

[tkingdoll]

I really regret that I didn't get to see the other papers, I was pretty ill and also had meetings straight after. But I am hoping they'll be on the DVD. I might email Steve for a copy of his if he's willing, as it's my industry.

I will be downloading your transcript, krelnik :)

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I was up late/hungover, so I missed the first few. From what I understand, I didn't miss much.

I did enjoy the talks by fellow forumites Tracy, Tim & Lee.

[Horatius]

But I am hoping they'll be on the DVD.



All the talks from TAM 5 were on the DVD, so I'd be surprised if this year's were any different.

[RSLancastr]

My favorites were Krelnik's and Teek's.

[RSLancastr]

All the talks from TAM 5 were on the DVD, so I'd be surprised if this year's were any different.The papers from TAM4 were not on the TAM4 DVD, so it doesn't always happen.

[Phlebas]

Ottle and I wandered in just after the beginning of Teek's. We enjoyed all the ones we saw, although it's unfortunate that Chris French's got messed up with the tech issues. krelnik and I were lucky enough to talk with him about it at a bar on Monday night, and had a great time.

I hope they're on the DVDs.