Back from TAM and TAM in 2004

[SkepticScott]

Well, I just returned from the most enjoyable time I've had in a while, and the best part is that we're going to do it again next year! Huzzah! I'll post more details after some much-needed sleep.

[Blue Monk]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
Well, I just returned from the most enjoyable time I've had in a while, and the best part is that we're going to do it again next year! Huzzah! I'll post more details after some much-needed sleep.

I'm saving my money already. I won't miss another one.

[Electric Monk]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
Well, I just returned from the most enjoyable time I've had in a while, and the best part is that we're going to do it again next year! Huzzah! I'll post more details after some much-needed sleep.
Hey Scott!

Glad to see you made it back safe and sound. I'm back home too, and will be putting together a web page with my favorite pics and a narrative to go with them ... but not tonight.

TAM was a great success, and, I think, a wonderful time was had by all, and certainly by me.

Thanks again for the rides to all the extracurricular activities!

--James Hammond

[UnrepentantSinner]

It's sorta lonely here in the business center this morning, but I thought I'd take a few minutes and say what a wonderous and Amaz!ng experience this has been.

I personally was on an emotional roller coaster since the time I left my apartment Friday morning. It'll be nice to drive around in my rental for a bit this afternoon and head home to contemplate and digest all that has gone on this weekend in a more relaxed environment.

[bignickel]

Got in yesterday AM; I missed all of Sunday Meeting due to plane schedule. Ah well.

After this amazing meeting, I now see the need for more, more, MORE mass meetings. CONVENTIONS!

We need, dare I say it, SKEPTICON 2004!

With so many panelists and speakers that we'll have a bunch going on at the same time. "Should I go to the homeopathy lecture, or the creationist/evolution debate?"

A 24/7 video room. A dealers room. Etc.

Coffee and soda at all times! And beer! (for all you drinkers out there) (as the Australian skeptic (sorry, forgot his name) pointed out during the "Bidlack is Hamilton" presentation, American homeopathic beer)

And most important of all: a disco! So skeptics can get up after a hard day of sitting thru meetings and lectures, and strut their funky stuff! Persuading Randi to get on the dance floor for a pic would probably be harder than obtaining one of the aliens from Roswell, but it would be worth it...

[Luciana]

Randi said, ipsis literis, that the 2004 Amazing Meeting will happen sure as hell.


:eek:


I wonder what he really meant? :D

[Blue Monk]

Originally posted by bignickel
Coffee and soda at all times! And beer! (for all you drinkers out there) (as the Australian skeptic (sorry, forgot his name) pointed out during the "Bidlack is Hamilton" presentation, American homeopathic beer)

Hey, hey, hey!

Say what you will about me but I'll be damned if I'll let you bad-mouth our beer.

Aw, who am I kidding, our beer sucks.

That is the easiest way to shut-up a big-mouthed American. Just bring up our weinie beer and watch them slink away. :)

[bignickel]

I must admit: I'm just a very free-form kind of guy. I'm also very much of a night person. Much as I enjoyed the heck out of the conference, the idea of getting up at 6:30 AM on a weekend is just at odds with my nature. And I enjoy room parties. The conventions I'm using to going to are the sci-fi geek kind (aka Archon, here in the mid-west).

I just prefer a multiple choice approach to activities. The concept of Skepticon probably won't become a concrete reality anytime soon - a skeptics convention of 600-800 people. But it's certainly a dream I wouldn't mind seeing realized one day - that critical thinking skills become popular enough around the world that such a convention could occur, or even better yet, be sustainable.

With psychic fairs happening all over the place on a regular basis, I don't see why we can't shoot for the same goals ourselves. Perhaps one day we can force the world to reckon with us (in a good way, that is).

"We're here!"
"We're clear!"
"Science is nothing to fear!"

PS That Austrailian skeptic had the room rolling with laughter from the beer comment. Darned if I can remember his name.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by bignickel
I must admit: I'm just a very free-form kind of guy. I'm also very much of a night person. Much as I enjoyed the heck out of the conference, the idea of getting up at 6:30 AM on a weekend is just at odds with my nature. And I enjoy room parties. The conventions I'm using to going to are the sci-fi geek kind (aka Archon, here in the mid-west).

I just prefer a multiple choice approach to activities. The concept of Skepticon probably won't become a concrete reality anytime soon - a skeptics convention of 600-800 people. But it's certainly a dream I wouldn't mind seeing realized one day - that critical thinking skills become popular enough around the world that such a convention could occur, or even better yet, be sustainable.

With psychic fairs happening all over the place on a regular basis, I don't see why we can't shoot for the same goals ourselves. Perhaps one day we can force the world to reckon with us (in a good way, that is).

"We're here!"
"We're clear!"
"Science is nothing to fear!"

I actually don't think that is a far-fetched goal. There were over 230 people at this conference and I think it's just the beginning. With enough advance notice, we could probably get more attendance.

The key to the growth in attendance will be our willingness to spread the word to local skeptic groups and other publications around the country. If each of the people at the conference convinced 3 or 4 other people to show up, we would reach our goal in no time.

G6

[bignickel]

Hmm, maybe someone can apply for one of those government grants, like the ones this guy writes about:

http://www.matthewlesko.com/

to get funding for future conventions. Don't see why the gov would have any problem funding meetings that promote science. On the other hand, the current administration might have a few... :rolleyes:

Hmm, I just realized: we need some guy jumping around in a suit with question marks all over it. "The Questioner!": mascot for the skeptical movement. :)

[Finella]

Well, I said I would do it, I'm here on the forum (Neil's, er. Budddyh's, bride, Andi here). Hi, y'all! The AM was a wonderful experience and I was glad to have met such extraordinary people. Some highlights for me:

- The (non-AM sanctioned) trip to KSC; how exciting this was! The experience made the loss of Columbia more poignant than I could say. I was glad to have made the pilgrimage -- thanks for the pictures that people have posted elsewhere!

- Jack Horkeimer's presentation and subsequent trip to the planetarium. Back in the day I almost became an astrophysics major... now I remember why. Time to break out the dusty telescope!

- The general amazingly good humor thrown around the entire conference. Boy, we sure have some entertaining folk out there.


Of course, there's more, but my brain still hasn't recovered from the return and lack of sleep. So until next time, where I will share about the very interesting junk mail I received while I was away....

---,---'--{@

[Blue Monk]

Originally posted by bignickel
Much as I enjoyed the heck out of the conference, the idea of getting up at 6:30 AM on a weekend is just at odds with my nature.

There's a 6:30 in the morning now? How long has this been going on?

[Blue Monk]

Hey Finella!

Welcome to the borads! I'm very happy to respond to your first post.

I look forward to more.

[Marc]

One side thing that happened on the last day was a little religious debate. There was a very nice woman there who strongly believes in Jesus, (though not in organized religions apparently) debating a Deist and several atheists. It was an interesting talk, though I wish had some reference material there to help my points. (spoiled by debating on message boards I guess:p )

I recomended Secret Origins of the Bible by Tim Callahan, writing it down for her. Wonder if we'll hear from her after she's done reading it?


The schedule was a bit busy, only know of one other person who took advantage of the pool and hot tub besides me. That is what we really need next year, more bikini clad skepchicks! :D

[kittynh]

Skeptic scott, we are like neighbors, and we seemed to almost get together for a chat a few times!!! Anyway, I'm sorry we didn't! So, next year I am making a list of everyone I want to touch base with. We need to get more New England skeptics there, but it was such fun to meet skeptics from all the heck over!

[Marc]

Before heading down to TAM I was asked to write up a little something for the NESS newsletter. Been busy here but managed to throw something togeather, any suggestions on how to improve it are certainly welcome

An Amazing Time (http://unfacts.org/cgi-bin/index.pl?read=45317)

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Marc
Before heading down to TAM I was asked to write up a little something for the NESS newsletter. Been busy here but managed to throw something togeather, any suggestions on how to improve it are certainly welcome

An Amazing Time (http://unfacts.org/cgi-bin/index.pl?read=45317)
You have a typo re. the dates. Change Jan 13th to the 31st and you'll have it right.

[Patricio Elicer]

I just came back home from Florida a few hours ago. Hey!,.. my brain is overloaded with exciting memories from the Meeting. It was a loooong trip back home, I need an urgent nap. I'll be back later with new pictures and comments

[kittynh]

I think I've convinced my brother to come next year!!! He totally got me started as a skeptic, and when he saw Hal's picture of the group, I think that decided him. He is beyond cool (unlike his dorky sister) and designs really cool computer stuff in Canada.
Oh, last night I wore my Amazing Meeting shirt to sleep in, and my daughter was also wearing her Amazing Meeting shirt to bed.
I went to tuck her in and she said, "Hey, cool mom, Mr.Randi is sleeping with both of us tonight!"
she's young enough not to get that she made a joke....

[hal bidlack]

I have immediately forwarded that to Randi. :)