What would you say you most get out of TAM?

[The Gonif]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I excitedly attended TAM 7 last year, sort of a birthday present for me as it took place on my birthday weekend. We both had a good time and a fun vacation (the South Point was great!), but were a little confused and disappointed with the presentations. I think our expectations of TAM may have been wrong.

I was really hoping to get hard skeptical information -- ammunition against true believers, discussions on common logical fallacies, talks about god, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropracty... stuff like that. But instead, the talks were entertaining but largely anecdotal. Lots of personal stories from the speakers' lives, but not much that I could actually *use* when talking to the zealots at work.

So I am wondering what other people expect of TAM and what you take away from it. Last year we probably could have socialized more -- I'm admittedly shy in large groups and was pretty overwhelmed by the swarms of people. And perhaps the workshops contain what I was looking for? I was only able to attend Saturday and Sunday, so we missed the workshops. I'd like to attend again this year (it's still birthday weekend :)), but it is a little expensive for anecdotal stories. So there must be more to TAM than I'm seeing. What am I missing here?

Thanks! And I hope to see you in July!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

A hangover

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I was really hoping to get hard skeptical information -- ammunition against true believers, discussions on common logical fallacies, talks about god, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropracty... stuff like that. But instead, the talks were entertaining but largely anecdotal. Lots of personal stories from the speakers' lives, but not much that I could actually *use* when talking to the zealots at work.

I think it is assumed that everyone in the audience knows the above is all nonsense, so there really is no reason to address these issues. As to the hands on stuff, yeah that may be covered in the workshops, although I really don't know, since I haven't attended any. Although I will be this year.

Why do I go? To see friends who I only see (in meat space) generally once a year. To drink beer and have fun. And to listen to interesting and/or entertaining speakers.

[KingMerv00]

I orginally went for the speakers but I started going for the audience a few years ago.

I think the speakers try to avoid info-heavy talks because it has all been said before. How many times can you address the same old crap and keep it fresh? Pseudoscience has nothing new to say so WE have nothing new to say.

I love the speakers anyway.

[bumlet5]

When I first went a couple years ago, I was just getting into the skeptic community after years of knowing all that stuff was bull. I was also expecting it to be about the speakers and presentations as well, but quickly learned that it's more about the social experience with like-minded people. From the other people I've talked to, this seems to be a common thing. Now that I'm going back this year and am talking to the forum folks more, I'm as excited about hanging out with the people as I am listening to the speakers.

[Patricio Elicer]

It's all about a SkepFest, the largest in the world.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Welcome, Gonif. I'll echo what has been said, namely that it's all been said before, so what's the point of saying it again? That said, I enjoy almost every speaker no matter what they say. I go to see friends again, hang around the bar, and listen to speakers I enjoy even though they're not giving hardcore anti-woo talks.

You can get more of what you want right here on this forum. We talk about the same crapola over and over. Check out the R & P forum: You can participate in a free will discussion once every few months! We seem to have a never-ending thirst for this whackiness.

I'm not sure we're convincing you to come again.

~~ Paul

[bumlet5]

I'm not sure we're convincing you to come again.



Gonif, you should come out anyway and meet new friends. :)

[saganite]

I orginally went for the speakers but I started going for the audience a few years ago.

I think the speakers try to avoid info-heavy talks because it has all been said before. How many times can you address the same old crap and keep it fresh? Pseudoscience has nothing new to say so WE have nothing new to say.

I love the speakers anyway.

Basically, what KingMerv00 said.

With one addendum -- I originally went to listen to the speakers; now I come to meet and get to know the speakers. There are well-known, respected speakers at TAM whom I once viewed as intimidating and untouchable, whom I now count as friends.

[Dicon]

I love the speakers anyway.


I think the speakers are average, at best. The podium, however, is exceptional.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

You come for the podium?

~~ Paul

[Horatius]

I think the speakers are average, at best. The podium, however, is exceptional.



Having leaned on that podium, hoping not to pass out due to stage fright in front of hundreds of people, I must agree.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

You come for the podium?

~~ Paul

I come for the podium and stay for the beer.

[Allecher]

I find lecterns much easier to lean on than podiums.

<end semantic mode> ;)

[plumjam]

I heard on the grapevine that Stanley Pons will be speaking at Tam this year.

I guess now it would be overkill to do anything other than leave you to make your own jokes.

[KingMerv00]

There are well-known, respected speakers at TAM whom I once viewed as intimidating and untouchable...

There is one speaker I wouldn't recommend touching...you know who I'm talking about.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

There is one speaker I wouldn't recommend touching...you know who I'm talking about.

Rebecca?

[saganite]

Rebecca?

Nah, he means Phil Plait. I've heard that guy's a huge perv.

[The Gonif]

Ok, thanks you guys. It sounds like it's more of a social event then than a learning event. I guess the wife and I have to figure out if we can afford to go this year. I'd really like to go to the full event, but that's $900 plus hotel plus food and booze plus taking time off work. I don't know how you all do it!

Also, from reading some posts on here, I think I get how it all works now. A question is asked, it gets a handful of serious responses, and then it gets two or more pages of jokes. Ah, skeptics. :)

[SkepticScott]

I don't know how you all do it!TAM is the one real vacation I take each year. My other vacations tend to be local gaming tournaments, which are cheap -- no hotel and I usually only need to take a Friday off.

[bumlet5]

TAM is the one real vacation I take each year. My other vacations tend to be local gaming tournaments, which are cheap -- no hotel and I usually only need to take a Friday off.

Same here. I have been saving for months, and luckily this year it is coinciding with our work summer shut down so I wouldn't be at work anyway. If there's enough planning, it's easier to do, with early entry TAM discounts and hotel and transportation deals. I think most people go on a budget.

[bluesjnr]

Gonif, you should come out anyway and meet new friends. :)

Whaaaaa? You have to be gay to get in?

[DocM]

Can I come out as being married? I know, it will be hard on all my fangirls out there, but you gotta be true to yourself and all that...

[The Gonif]

Same here. I have been saving for months, and luckily this year it is coinciding with our work summer shut down so I wouldn't be at work anyway. If there's enough planning, it's easier to do, with early entry TAM discounts and hotel and transportation deals. I think most people go on a budget.

Ah, that makes sense. Later this year we're going to Paris for a Jimmy Buffett concert, so that may have sucked up all the TAM money. We'll see, it would be fun to meet you all. Well, not all. :)

[Yogzotot]

Can I come out as being married? I know, it will be hard on all my fangirls out there, but you gotta be true to yourself and all that...

Feel free to point them my way. My absent legal wife won't mind. :p

[bumlet5]

Where's the line?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Ah, that makes sense. Later this year we're going to Paris for a Jimmy Buffett concert, so that may have sucked up all the TAM money. We'll see, it would be fun to meet you all. Well, not all. :)

Wow. I wouldn't go across the street for a Jimmy Buffett concert! Even if it was free.

[JamyeJ]

I went last year primarily to meet Randi in person and meet likeminded folks and I accomplished both of those goals successfully, and then some! I came away with dozens of friends and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again this year. I went to all of the presentations last year and found them quite rewarding and entertaining for the most part, but like many the best parts of the convention happened after hours for me.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Ah, that makes sense. Later this year we're going to Paris for a Jimmy Buffett concert, so that may have sucked up all the TAM money.
Hang on a moment. I haven't missed a Buffett concert in 25 years, but I sure as hell don't travel to Paris for them. Perhaps you mean Paris, California, not Paris, France?


Wow. I wouldn't go across the street for a Jimmy Buffett concert! Even if it was free.
That's two against one. You lose.

~~ Paul

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Hang on a moment. I haven't missed a Buffett concert in 25 years, but I sure as hell don't travel to Paris for them. Perhaps you mean Paris, California, not Paris, France?


That's two against one. You lose.

~~ Paul

But my ears are the real winner! :)

[hcmom]

Also, from reading some posts on here, I think I get how it all works now. A question is asked, it gets a handful of serious responses, and then it gets two or more pages of jokes. Ah, skeptics. :)

Yeah, the problem is figuring out which is which...

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

But my ears are the real winner!
Too much ear filtering is preventing your psyche from getting the shot in the arm that is so desperately needs.

Is that a mixed metaphor?

~~ Paul

[The Gonif]

Hang on a moment. I haven't missed a Buffett concert in 25 years, but I sure as hell don't travel to Paris for them. Perhaps you mean Paris, California, not Paris, France?

Haha, I think that's Perris, CA... and no. My amazing wife surprised me on Valentine's day with the offer to take me to any JB concert that I wanted this year, since I missed him last year (let's just say the pre-show tailgate party ended in tragedy). She printed out his tour locations, which at the time consisted of Ohio, Texas, some other places, and Paris. Well, what can you say that that?

[skyhar8000]

I have yet to miss a TAM, but my reasons for going certainly have changed. At first it was a combination of getting the information and meeting the speakers. That moved into the background, and it became a little more about the audience, the chance to get away for a few days, and even the food! Now it's more the total experience. I love seeing how many people there are SO much younger than I (I'm 52), and I like a lot of the sideshow stuff, be it workshops, things going on out in the lobby areas, and so forth. Each year I take a hard look at what's being offered and decide whether I'm up for another year, and so far, it has always been a "yes" for me. Maybe the day will come when it isn't, but at least not for the 2010 TAM. On to TAM8! Stephen Bauer, Portland, Oregon

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Haha, I think that's Perris, CA...
You gots both over there.

http://california.hometownlocator.com/ca/los-angeles/paris.cfm

... and no. My amazing wife surprised me on Valentine's day with the offer to take me to any JB concert that I wanted this year, since I missed him last year (let's just say the pre-show tailgate party ended in tragedy).
PM me the story, man. Did it involve naked breasts?

She printed out his tour locations, which at the time consisted of Ohio, Texas, some other places, and Paris. Well, what can you say that that?
Tell her I'm invited, too.

~~ Paul

[The Gonif]

PM me the story, man. Did it involve naked breasts?

Not this year. It was the BEST tailgate party of my life! We built a portable bar on wheels that we pushed up and down the parking lot aisles, met lots of people, gave drinks, got drinks, and just had the most fun ever. We made it onto the OC Register's web site. The sun was shining, the birds were singing (not there, actually, but probably nearby), and the police were cool. I did a lot of shots. I forgot to eat food. It wasn't good.

I'm only now beginning to be able to drink tequila again.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Not this year. It was the BEST tailgate party of my life! We built a portable bar on wheels that we pushed up and down the parking lot aisles, met lots of people, gave drinks, got drinks, and just had the most fun ever. We made it onto the OC Register's web site. The sun was shining, the birds were singing (not there, actually, but probably nearby), and the police were cool. I did a lot of shots. I forgot to eat food. It wasn't good.

I'm only now beginning to be able to drink tequila again.

I guess when the music isn't any good, you have to create other diversions. :)

[Yogzotot]

I hadn't heard about Jimmy Buffett until last week when I attended a corporate leadership course in Berlin! I think no one in the room had heard about him (all Europeans of different nationalities), but the lecturer was from a U.S. business school.

Buffett once wrote his life in less than 400 words, very illuminating regarding his love for music and for wrecking things and relationships. This evening we had to write a similar summary of our own life... No, my life patterns are different, and I am not into his music. ;)

But the lecturer also showed a video of Buffett and the parrotheads... I can see the appeal. At least in the Margaritas.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

But the lecturer also showed a video of Buffett and the parrotheads... I can see the appeal.
For me, the appeal is his mirthful look at life's crazy twists and turns.

This is for The Gonif:

http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/view/jimmy_buffett/he_went_to_paris/

~~ Paul

[The Gonif]

Yup, that's a great song. We only plan to stay in Paris for a couple days, though, before seeing some more of Europe. Hopefully won't get stuck for four or five years. :-)

[Ziggy66]

Information and socializing are both major parts of TAM. However, the biggest benefit in my eyes is INSPIRATION and a sense of belonging. I think this can be a basic human need that skeptics and freethinkers don't always get in life where as devoted churchgoers, etc. usually do. You may not even realize that you're missing it until you attend an event like TAM, it can be quite a revelation.

[SkepticScott]

a sense of belonging.I agree. Knowing that there are 1,000 other people around you who also doubt woo is quite a good feeling.

[saganite]

I have yet to miss a TAM, but my reasons for going certainly have changed. At first it was a combination of getting the information and meeting the speakers. That moved into the background, and it became a little more about the audience, the chance to get away for a few days, and even the food! Now it's more the total experience. I love seeing how many people there are SO much younger than I (I'm 52), and I like a lot of the sideshow stuff, be it workshops, things going on out in the lobby areas, and so forth. Each year I take a hard look at what's being offered and decide whether I'm up for another year, and so far, it has always been a "yes" for me. Maybe the day will come when it isn't, but at least not for the 2010 TAM. On to TAM8! Stephen Bauer, Portland, Oregon

I love that one of the reasons you love coming is because there are so many people there younger than you. Usually when I go to things and everyone there is younger than me, it makes me snarly because I'm anticipating a lot of text messaging and bad eyeliner. Just another way in which TAM rules, I suppose.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I love that one of the reasons you love coming is because there are so many people there younger than you. Usually when I go to things and everyone there is younger than me, it makes me snarly because I'm anticipating a lot of text messaging and bad eyeliner. Just another way in which TAM rules, I suppose.

I'm nothing if not text messaging and bad eyeliner.

[rustypouch]

I'm nothing if not text messaging and bad eyeliner.

Fixed.

[saganite]

I'm nothing if not text messaging and bad eyeliner.

And yet I adore you even so.

[Miss_Kitt]

Having leaned on that podium, hoping not to pass out due to stage fright in front of hundreds of people, I must agree.

But, dude, I loved your presentation! And I didn't even know it was *you* until the last slide!

See you in Vegas, MK

ETA -- to gonif: I thought last year was somewhat light on 'real' content versus the previous year, but it depends. I echo what several posters have said about the thrill of meeting the speakers and finding out that they are real human beings that--if you're clever and fortunate--you may even have information to exchange with, instead of just learning from.

My first TAM I went for the speakers (and because it was a birthday present); last year I took the whole family, and it was a more limited experience for me. Especially since I finally knew number of folks from here and the chatroom, and I hardly got to meet any of them for more than 5 minutes. This year, though, I have the mixed blessing of being really strapped for money, so I am going by myself and planning on bonding with my JREF virtual friends!

A good friend has offered to buy me a workshop pass, so I will get to do that; and I'm working one show, so I'll get to see that. And somewhere in the weekend, I am celebrating my 50th in the tequila bar with Skeptikhatt, Brainlesssteel, and other folks who had better not plan on video-ing anything.

But the biggest value for me in TAM is that I get to "come out" as a skeptic. I don't have to worry about how to phrase things; I don't have to fear someone who I am on good terms with suddenly starting an argument or blowing up at me because I just don't see enough evidence to believe in Bigfoot. No one will be offended if I say that chiropracters are at best just a backrub and at worst life-threatening; no one is going to offer to use reiki to heal my bad hip. I can just relax and be me; I don't feel like I'm all alone in the world, or one of the six people in the US who think as I do. That is a feeling that refuels me for the challenge of living in NewAgeGranolaville, WA (aka Seattle).

[Chris H]

But the biggest value for me in TAM is that I get to "come out" as a skeptic. I don't have to worry about how to phrase things; I don't have to fear someone who I am on good terms with suddenly starting an argument or blowing up at me because I just don't see enough evidence to believe in Bigfoot. No one will be offended if I say that chiropracters are at best just a backrub and at worst life-threatening; no one is going to offer to use reiki to heal my bad hip. I can just relax and be me; I don't feel like I'm all alone in the world, or one of the six people in the US who think as I do. That is a feeling that refuels me for the challenge of living in NewAgeGranolaville, WA (aka Seattle).


I'm looking forward to this too! :)

[The Central Scrutinizer]

And yet I adore you even so.

:lovestruck:

[Horatius]

But, dude, I loved your presentation! And I didn't even know it was *you* until the last slide!

See you in Vegas, MK





I knew there was a good reason for including that slide...Besides Kittening TAM, of course :D

[saganite]

But the biggest value for me in TAM is that I get to "come out" as a skeptic. I don't have to worry about how to phrase things; I don't have to fear someone who I am on good terms with suddenly starting an argument or blowing up at me because I just don't see enough evidence to believe in Bigfoot. No one will be offended if I say that chiropracters are at best just a backrub and at worst life-threatening; no one is going to offer to use reiki to heal my bad hip. I can just relax and be me; I don't feel like I'm all alone in the world, or one of the six people in the US who think as I do. That is a feeling that refuels me for the challenge of living in NewAgeGranolaville, WA (aka Seattle).

Well said, Miss_Kitt. It's soooo nice not to have to hold your tongue for a couple of days. And to have a bunch of people who automatically get your references. I suppose that's an element all specialized conferences have, whether you're a fan of skepticism, Jesus, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the real world is the real world, but at TAM no matter who you're with, you're among friends.

[The Gonif]

Hey, I just wanted to thank everyone who replied, and I hope you're all having a blast at TAM right now. Your points are all very valid and while I was on the fence before, you tipped me into the "go to TAM!" camp. This year we have a long vacation already planned, and after thinking about it a lot I've decided that I won't be able to make it to TAM -- but next year I do look forward to going and meeting you all. I've been reading the TAM Info tweets that I never unsubscribed from last year and am getting very jealous.

Thanks, and have fun!

[hcmom]

Thanks, and have fun!

Speaking for all 1000 of us, we are!

[Horatius]

Speaking for all 1000 1300+ of us, we are!



ftfy.

[CaptainManacles]

n/m

hope you had fun at TAM! I know I did, and ironically the theme this year seemed to be "why you shouldn't go to TAM for ammunition"

I thought it was really enlightening, it knocked over a few sacred cows for me and that's always a fun experience.

[SkepticScott]

the theme this year seemed to be "why you shouldn't go to TAM for ammunition"That's right. You go to The Gun Store for ammunition. :rolleyes:

I got a good quote from TAM8. There was a person who I though to be a moon landing denier. He was trying to interview Phil Plait. Dr. Buzzo opinioned that the denier was crazy. That led to someone else remarking

"When Dr. Buzzo thinks you're crazy ... "

I guess we have a new benchmark. :)

[Xplodyncow]

I got a good quote from TAM8. There was a person who I though to be a moon landing denier. He was trying to interview Phil Plait. Dr. Buzzo opinioned that the denier was crazy. That led to someone else remarking

"When Dr. Buzzo thinks you're crazy ... "

I guess we have a new benchmark. :)

You mean the moon-landing denier wasn't a plant?

[SkepticScott]

You mean the moon-landing denier wasn't a plant?AFAIK he was genuine.

[cStyle]

AFAIK he was genuine.

I agree. I heard that after he accosted Adam he started pacing the hallways for some time.

Now, was the "i can alleviate post surgery pain" guy for real? At least he was more respectful!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Now, was the "i can alleviate post surgery pain" guy for real? At least he was more respectful!

Yes, he was a genuine nut job. :)

What I found interesting is that the crowd listened politely while he described his "power", but when he mentioned that "it also works over the phone", quite a few folks burst out laughing (myself included). That's when he went off the rails.

[DocM]

Well, I shared the shuttle to the airport on Monday with him, and he even showed me one of many videos of his healing successes. I'd say that his claim can be tested, let him have a shot at the price. I am very sure that he is sincere, and while I would need to see a lot of evidence to be convinced that it is real, there's no reason not to give him a chance.

[SkepticScott]

I heard that the "post-surgery pain" person is lacking either a media presence or an academic affidavit, so he doesn't meet the requirements to apply for the MDC yet. He was a nice person AFAIK, and would be welcome at the next TAM he attends.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I heard that the "post-surgery pain" person is lacking either a media presence or an academic affidavit, so he doesn't meet the requirements to apply for the MDC yet. He was a nice person AFAIK, and would be welcome at the next TAM he attends.

Which "academic" endorsed Visionfromfeeling? :eek:

[saganite]

You mean the moon-landing denier wasn't a plant?

He was sitting directly in front of me during Adam's talk, and gauging from his angry, under-breath muttering and laser-like intensity as he glared at Adam, I'd say no, not a plant.

[HawaiiBigSis]

Yes, he was a genuine nut job. :)

What I found interesting is that the crowd listened politely while he described his "power", but when he mentioned that "it also works over the phone", quite a few folks burst out laughing (myself included). That's when he went off the rails.
That's the point at which he lost me.

[SkepticScott]

Which "academic" endorsed Visionfromfeeling? :eek:I don't know. Didn't Randi once say that there's no claim so silly that you couldn't find a Ph.D. who would endorse it? :)

[dasmiller]

He was sitting directly in front of me during Adam's talk, and gauging from his angry, under-breath muttering and laser-like intensity as he glared at Adam, I'd say no, not a plant.

Part of me wanted to talk to him (the moon-hoaxer) about it; I have some experience with space programs.

The smarter part of me thought that no good would come of such a discussion.

[Bloodtoes]

Part of me wanted to talk to him (the moon-hoaxer) about it; I have some experience with space programs.

The smarter part of me thought that no good would come of such a discussion


That was a pretty interesting part of the conference. He started out sounding almost reasonable, a sincere question about methods, but then it very quickly escalated into a howmanywordscanifitintothemicrOPHONEBEFOREHALRIPSI TAWAYFROMME etc. I think Hal did give him more than he needed though.. if I recall correctly, he even managed to repeat himself. Adam Savage handled it very well though. Phil had been tweeting that the guy had been pestering him in the hallways since he arrived. The guy even wrote on the white board that he wants a 1 on 1 debate. Quoth the Crislip: "What is it with wackaloons and 'live debate'?" (I think it was Mark Crislip, might've been Orac). BTW has anyone seen his website?

What would be the point of a 1-on-1 debate with Adam Savage about the moon landing? To give his own side more air time than it deserves I suppose.

He also could have stated his problem much more succinctly: "Why didn't you guys combine wires and slow motion?" But the conspiracy nuts do like to be verbose I suppose. More words = better argument? :D

[Dicon]

Now, was the "i can alleviate post surgery pain" guy for real? At least he was more respectful!


My wife talked with him later and offered to let him heal the numb area where she had knee surgery. He declined, because his powers only work in the torso region. At this time, a friend of ours walked up and offered to let him heal the numb area where he crunched his elbow. The guy (we need a more succinct name for him than "post surgery pain guy") started by saying it typically only works on women, but he'd give it a try.

He tried; no change. Apparently it does only work on female torsos.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Apparently it does only work on female torsos.

That's where I like to do my work.

[Copernic]

Carol Tavris and Bruce Hood. The combined messages - We constantly fool ourselves into thinking we are right, and better, and smarter; We succumb to woo thinking ourselves and are not immune to essentialism. Both conditions are a part of being human.

[Tressa]

TAM8 was my 3rd TAM. I go for the speakers and seeing Penn & Teller at the Rio.

(I'm not a very social creature; ok in small groups, not good at all in a large group. The people I hang out with at TAM are people I've met near where I live.)

Phil was the highlight for me. Paul Provenza second. Carol Tavris, Steve Cuno, Sean Faircloth, Massimo Pigliucci, Bruce Hood stand out.

Over all, I think the speakers at this TAM were my collected fav of all the TAMs...if Neil deGrasse Tyson had been at TAM8 it would've been stunningly perfect.

[RSLancastr]

Not this year. It was the BEST tailgate party of my life! We built a portable bar on wheels that we pushed up and down the parking lot aisles, met lots of people, gave drinks, got drinks, and just had the most fun ever. We made it onto the OC Register's web site. The sun was shining, the birds were singing (not there, actually, but probably nearby), and the police were cool. I did a lot of shots. I forgot to eat food. It wasn't good.

I'm only now beginning to be able to drink tequila again.

Did you lose your shaker of salt?

[RSLancastr]

Gonif, I'm sorry that TAM8 apparently did not live up to your expectations. TAM speakers rarely explain logical fallacies and such, probably under the assumption (valid or not) that most in the audience are already familiar with such things, and those things are already well-covered in easily-accessed web sites. Most of the speeches and presentations tend to be about recent skeptical investigations/exploits in which the speaker or presenter has participated, or books/papers they have recently published. I generally find them interesting and/or entertaining, though there have been exceptions (usually due to poor presentation skills). But, as has been said many times already, the social aspect of TAM is a HUGE part of it! Although I am not much of a partying/drinking kind of guy, just hanging around with fellow skeptics, talking about things (both skeptical and otherwise) in our lives, is tremendously satisfying. Being able to put faces to the names of forum members is a big plus, and getting to meet and speak with the likes of Randi, Phil Plait, Shermer et al is, for me at least, fun and exciting. And, having been a speaker and presenter at various TAMs, I can tell you that it is quite a thrill. I hope that you will continue coming to TAMs, and that you will enjoy them more than you did TAM8.

Robert

[Skip_H]

Why I went to TAM8; ( I was a 1st TAMer )

1) I went to TAM so to match a podcasters voice with the real person.
Sure, I've seen photos of the SGU, DJ, Dunning, Randi, etc. But to see them, sit at a lunch table, listen to their stage and hallways chats was nothing less than thrilling. Flat out thrilling.

2) The podcasters have plenty of show interviews where I can't recall the guest names or ever recall their faces. But at TAM, I began to realize, "Wait a minute?", I began to recall and place these people with past podcasts. Then I googled their names, and looked in amazon.com. Then I became 'thrilled' to 'discover' what I missed in the first go around.

Having an iPad with me was an important tool for live googling and amazon searching while someone on stage spoke.

I didn't expect the actual speaker presentations to be too deep or rich with content. I used that time to better realize where they were coming from and to better grasp their place in this whole organization.

What has happened since being at TAM8?

1) I've looked back through the older itunes podcast show listing and realize who those guests were. Now I want to listen to those again.

2) I'm looking forward to the next year and the books I plan to order, and to follow a new batch of people much closer.

3) TAM speakers pointed out 'actions' one can get involved in. So I'm exploring what I want to do that has meaning with the community at large.

4) I just became a JREF member.

5) I'm gearing up to become a member of other groups too.

TAM was inspiring ....