Registration For TAM XI Is Open

The Central Scrutinizer · 16th January 2013, 01:50 PM

That's the message I will post on Feb 15th.

http://www.amazingmeeting.com/

bumlet5 · 16th January 2013, 04:15 PM

The TAM group rate looks to be better than the sale going on now at the South Point.

halohms · 21st January 2013, 09:47 AM

What a tease.....

bumlet5 · 13th February 2013, 05:46 PM

Apparently it's been pushed back to the 18th.

krelnik · 14th February 2013, 11:30 AM

Yeah, there are a ton of things that have to be in place to reveal the site, and it was necessary to push it back to Monday, February 18th. i think it will be worth the wait.

Cleon · 14th February 2013, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by krelnik

Yeah, there are a ton of things that have to be in place to reveal the site, and it was necessary to push it back to Monday, February 18th. i think it will be worth the wait.

Let me guess; we can expect an excellent line-up consisting of Michael Shermer, Jamy Ian Swiss, a short appearance by Penn and/or Teller, DJ Grothe, George Hrab, a live podcast or ten...

Wowbagger · 14th February 2013, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

That's the message I will post on Feb 15th.

And if you did, you would be wrong!

You have no authority in this thread, even though you started it!

The Central Scrutinizer · 14th February 2013, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Cleon

Let me guess; we can expect an excellent line-up consisting of Michael Shermer, Jamy Ian Swiss, a short appearance by Penn and/or Teller, DJ Grothe, George Hrab, a live podcast or ten...

I think it's safe to assume Greta Christina and Orphelia Benson will boycott. And that's a good thing.

Cleon · 15th February 2013, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

I think it's safe to assume Greta Christina and Orphelia Benson will boycott. And that's a good thing.

The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending.

Paul C. Anagnostopoulos · 15th February 2013, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cleon

The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending.

But we want to see you. Forget all the politics and come anyway.

~~ Paul

Wowbagger · 15th February 2013, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cleon

The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending.

The fact that I know these comments are overblown is one reason I'll be attending.

I don't care if a bunch of people are boycotting this event because they're too judgemental, or something, to handle it. I'm going to attend, anyway, because I get a ton of value out of doing so. And, I know the vast majority of folks there are really intelligent, witty and friendly people. Even if they are not perfect. And, even if a small percentage of the crowd are jerks.

zooterkin · 18th February 2013, 10:15 AM

Registration for TAM 2013 is now open.

ETA: If you're a JREF member, you need to email them to get the discount code, rather than having it as an option.

The Central Scrutinizer · 18th February 2013, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

Registration for TAM 2013 is now open.

ETA: If you're a JREF member, you need to email them to get the discount code, rather than having it as an option.

I have no idea if I'm a member. I've donated money over the years, maybe I am. I've always signed up as a member, and no one has ever said I wasn't.

Wowbagger · 18th February 2013, 10:53 AM

On the page where you enter your name and demographics, there doesn't seem to be a button to move to the next page.

At least that's the case in IE. I will try this on another browser, soon.

Dicon · 18th February 2013, 10:55 AM

There's also a typo in the second sentence on the main page, so I cannot bring myself to register.

AdMan · 18th February 2013, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Dicon

There's also a typo in the second sentence on the main page, so I cannot bring myself to register.

And in the second sentence of the second paragraph on that page... Ugh.

The Central Scrutinizer · 18th February 2013, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

On the page where you enter your name and demographics, there doesn't seem to be a button to move to the next page.

At least that's the case in IE. I will try this on another browser, soon.

IE? Why?

Wowbagger · 18th February 2013, 11:12 AM

It does work in Chrome. So... I am now Registered!
Wooo-Hoooo!!!

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

IE? Why?

Because I like to give each major browser a chance to be used every now and then.

I have IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari installed on most of my computers, and I swap between using each one every now and then, almost randomly, for different things, at different times.

You have a problem with that?!

The Central Scrutinizer · 18th February 2013, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

You have a problem with that?!

Yes.

Dicon · 18th February 2013, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by AdMan

And in the second sentence of the second paragraph on that page... Ugh.

Oooof. That one is worse.

Hokulele · 18th February 2013, 11:49 AM

The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay!

Doubt · 18th February 2013, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Hokulele

The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay!

I agree. Not sure if I will have the time.

Wowbagger · 18th February 2013, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

Yes.

Well, that's too bad. Deal with it!

The Central Scrutinizer · 18th February 2013, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

Well, that's too bad. Deal with it!

You have no authority in this thread.

funkmon · 18th February 2013, 07:40 PM

I am excited as heck! I love TAM.

AdMan · 18th February 2013, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dicon

Oooof. That one is worse.

Happily, both mistakes have been corrected.

Wowbagger · 18th February 2013, 09:47 PM

By the way, I happen to think "Fighting the Fakers" is a pretty good slogan.

Just don't misplace the R. If you call it "Fighting the Frakes", I don't think ST:TNG fans would approve very much.

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

You have no authority in this thread.

I don't need no authority to rub the variety of Internet browsers I happen to use in yo face!

So, why don't you spread that on your toast and eat it!

Originally Posted by AdMan

Happily, both mistakes have been corrected.

Thank goodnes! I was almost going to boycot the event over the fact that they had such blatent typos all over they're home page! The nerve of them to have such eroneous contnet!!!!!

AdMan · 18th February 2013, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

Thank goodnes! I was almost going to boycot the event over the fact that they had such blatent typos all over they're home page! The nerve of them to have such eroneous contnet!!!!!

Who'da thought it--there appears to be some overlap between pedants and skeptics.

AdMan · 19th February 2013, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Hokulele

The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay!

I agree the line up seems pretty good. The one presenter that seemed to me to be out of place is Cara Santa Maria (whom I admittedly am not at all familiar with), who is listed as "the Senior Science Correspondent for The Huffington Post."

To be honest, from a skeptic POV and if you are familiar with a lot of the supposed "science" and medical writing that appears in The Huffington Post, that does not seem to be a very lofty accomplishment, and may not merit being a TAM speaker, but maybe (and hopefully) I haven't been keeping up with what's being posted recently and Ms. Santa Maria is changing things and bringing some actual science to that website.

Hokulele · 19th February 2013, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Doubt

I agree. Not sure if I will have the time.

Boo! TAM needs more Guttersluts.

Originally Posted by AdMan

I agree the line up seems pretty good. The one presenter that seemed to me to be out of place is Cara Santa Maria (whom I admittedly am not at all familiar with), who is listed as "the Senior Science Correspondent for The Huffington Post."

To be honest, from a skeptic POV and if you are familiar with a lot of the supposed "science" and medical writing that appears in The Huffington Post, that does not seem to be a very lofty accomplishment, and may not merit being a TAM speaker, but maybe (and hopefully) I haven't been keeping up with what's being posted recently and Ms. Santa Maria is changing things and bringing some actual science to that website.

Yeah, that one caused me to raise an eyebrow as well, but if (and it's still just an "if") she is responsible for the, er, unsupported positions taken on that site, what better venue could there be to hear a different viewpoint than TAM? Not only will the audience be exposed to the bad claims and arguments actually being made, but there will be a chance for her to be exposed to the counter-claims, arguments, and facts behind them.

I had always wished that TAM would invite "the honorable opposition" (for lack of a better term) to speak, with a reminder to the audience to avoid behaving, well, like Scrut and Wowbagger. I believe it would work, given the respect the audience generally has shown to the MDC participants each year.

The Central Scrutinizer · 19th February 2013, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Hokulele

I had always wished that TAM would invite "the honorable opposition" (for lack of a better term) to speak, with a reminder to the audience to avoid behaving, well, like Scrut and Wowbagger.

He started it.

AdMan · 19th February 2013, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Hokulele

Yeah, that one caused me to raise an eyebrow as well, but if (and it's still just an "if") she is responsible for the, er, unsupported positions taken on that site, what better venue could there be to hear a different viewpoint than TAM? Not only will the audience be exposed to the bad claims and arguments actually being made, but there will be a chance for her to be exposed to the counter-claims, arguments, and facts behind them.

I've taken a look at her web page on the Huffington Post, and I'd have to say unlike some other "science" writers on that site it looks to me like she does know what she is talking about.

zooterkin · 19th February 2013, 11:26 AM

The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers.

The Central Scrutinizer · 19th February 2013, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers.

A female keynote? Has anyone told her TAM is not a safe zone?

WillyWonka · 19th February 2013, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers.

I had the same reaction, but I trust that JREF had a good reason to bring her in. A a keynote speaker, she will set the tone of the conference but she is not necessarily required to delve into a heavy scientific discussion.

I am glad to see that Jamy is back. He probably gave the best presentation last year.

The Central Scrutinizer · 19th February 2013, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by WillyWonka

I am glad to see that Jamy is back. He probably gave the best presentation last year.

Ditto for Tim Farley.

carlitos · 19th February 2013, 01:59 PM

My ******** detector went off when I realized that the words "******** detector" appeared on the TAM information page, but those words can't appear here on the forum because we don't want it to get internet filtered.

zooterkin · 19th February 2013, 02:39 PM

I got an email from the JREF with my member's discount code, without having to request it.

The Central Scrutinizer · 19th February 2013, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

I got an email from the JREF with my member's discount code, without having to request it.

What is it?

zooterkin · 19th February 2013, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

What is it?

Just a sec; it's ... oh, you scamp!

16th January 2013, 01:50 PM	#1
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Registration For TAM XI Is Open That's the message I will post on Feb 15th. http://www.amazingmeeting.com/
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

16th January 2013, 04:15 PM	#2
bumlet5 Indescribable Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The dark recesses of my imagination. Posts: 4,212	The TAM group rate looks to be better than the sale going on now at the South Point.
	__________________ "I'm a soundwave tsunami, vocal origami, hijack the mic and it's not like anyone could stop me." -mc chris "I've seen so much death" <("<) (>")> <("<) (>")> <("<) (>")> -Nathan Fillion

21st January 2013, 09:47 AM	#3
halohms Thinker Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 126	What a tease.....
halohms Thinker Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 126

13th February 2013, 05:46 PM	#4
bumlet5 Indescribable Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The dark recesses of my imagination. Posts: 4,212	Apparently it's been pushed back to the 18th.
	__________________ "I'm a soundwave tsunami, vocal origami, hijack the mic and it's not like anyone could stop me." -mc chris "I've seen so much death" <("<) (>")> <("<) (>")> <("<) (>")> -Nathan Fillion

14th February 2013, 11:30 AM	#5
krelnik Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,185	Yeah, there are a ton of things that have to be in place to reveal the site, and it was necessary to push it back to Monday, February 18th. i think it will be worth the wait.
	__________________ What's the harm in a little misinformation? I blog about online skepticism at skeptools.com I post a daily skeptic history fact on Twitter and Facebook

14th February 2013, 12:01 PM	#6
Cleon King of the Pod People Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 20,535	Originally Posted by krelnik Yeah, there are a ton of things that have to be in place to reveal the site, and it was necessary to push it back to Monday, February 18th. i think it will be worth the wait. Let me guess; we can expect an excellent line-up consisting of Michael Shermer, Jamy Ian Swiss, a short appearance by Penn and/or Teller, DJ Grothe, George Hrab, a live podcast or ten...
	__________________ "People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz." - Newt Gingrich

14th February 2013, 12:24 PM	#7
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer That's the message I will post on Feb 15th. And if you did, you would be wrong! You have no authority in this thread, even though you started it!
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

14th February 2013, 12:29 PM	#8
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by Cleon Let me guess; we can expect an excellent line-up consisting of Michael Shermer, Jamy Ian Swiss, a short appearance by Penn and/or Teller, DJ Grothe, George Hrab, a live podcast or ten... I think it's safe to assume Greta Christina and Orphelia Benson will boycott. And that's a good thing.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

15th February 2013, 06:42 AM	#9
Cleon King of the Pod People Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 20,535	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer I think it's safe to assume Greta Christina and Orphelia Benson will boycott. And that's a good thing. The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending.
	__________________ "People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz." - Newt Gingrich

15th February 2013, 02:38 PM	#10
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Nap, interrupted. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a little toolshed Posts: 18,592	Originally Posted by Cleon The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending. But we want to see you. Forget all the politics and come anyway. ~~ Paul
	__________________ Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. ---Susan Ertz RIP Mr. Skinny

15th February 2013, 06:48 PM	#11
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	Originally Posted by Cleon The fact that people are still making comments like this are why I won't be attending. The fact that I know these comments are overblown is one reason I'll be attending. I don't care if a bunch of people are boycotting this event because they're too judgemental, or something, to handle it. I'm going to attend, anyway, because I get a ton of value out of doing so. And, I know the vast majority of folks there are really intelligent, witty and friendly people. Even if they are not perfect. And, even if a small percentage of the crowd are jerks.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

18th February 2013, 10:15 AM	#12
zooterkin Nitpicking dilettante Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkshire, mostly Posts: 24,600	Registration for TAM 2013 is now open. ETA: If you're a JREF member, you need to email them to get the discount code, rather than having it as an option.
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Last edited by zooterkin; 18th February 2013 at 10:27 AM.

18th February 2013, 10:45 AM	#13
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by zooterkin Registration for TAM 2013 is now open. ETA: If you're a JREF member, you need to email them to get the discount code, rather than having it as an option. I have no idea if I'm a member. I've donated money over the years, maybe I am. I've always signed up as a member, and no one has ever said I wasn't.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

18th February 2013, 10:53 AM	#14
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	On the page where you enter your name and demographics, there doesn't seem to be a button to move to the next page. At least that's the case in IE. I will try this on another browser, soon.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

18th February 2013, 10:55 AM	#15
Dicon is not a radish Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grumpy in Seattle Posts: 2,970	There's also a typo in the second sentence on the main page, so I cannot bring myself to register.

18th February 2013, 11:02 AM	#16
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	Originally Posted by Dicon There's also a typo in the second sentence on the main page, so I cannot bring myself to register. And in the second sentence of the second paragraph on that page... Ugh.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

18th February 2013, 11:02 AM	#17
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by Wowbagger On the page where you enter your name and demographics, there doesn't seem to be a button to move to the next page. At least that's the case in IE. I will try this on another browser, soon. IE? Why?
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

18th February 2013, 11:12 AM	#18
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	It does work in Chrome. So... I am now *Registered!* Wooo-Hoooo!!! Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer IE? Why? Because I like to give each major browser a chance to be used every now and then. I have IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari installed on most of my computers, and I swap between using each one every now and then, almost randomly, for different things, at different times. You have a problem with that?!
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

18th February 2013, 11:19 AM	#19
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by Wowbagger You have a problem with that?! Yes.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

18th February 2013, 11:41 AM	#20
Dicon is not a radish Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grumpy in Seattle Posts: 2,970	Originally Posted by AdMan And in the second sentence of the second paragraph on that page... Ugh. Oooof. That one is worse.

18th February 2013, 11:49 AM	#21
Hokulele Official Nemesis Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Trying to decide whether to set defenses against an army, or against mole rats. Posts: 27,274	The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay!
	__________________ Yvette: "Blasty! Blasty! Blasty!" Some person: "Why did you shoot that?" Yvette: "Blasty! Blasty! Blasty!" - Tragic Monkey

18th February 2013, 03:58 PM	#22
Doubt Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 5,444	Originally Posted by Hokulele The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay! I agree. Not sure if I will have the time.
Doubt Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 5,444	__________________ Doubt world tour locations: Mostly home for now. No international travel scheduled other than the Galapagos trip in March. Disclaimer: Not a high energy scientist!

18th February 2013, 04:34 PM	#23
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	Re: Registration For TAM XI Is Open Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer Yes. Well, that's too bad. Deal with it!
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

18th February 2013, 04:50 PM	#24
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by Wowbagger Well, that's too bad. Deal with it! You have no authority in this thread.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

18th February 2013, 07:40 PM	#25
funkmon New Blood Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2	I am excited as heck! I love TAM.
funkmon New Blood Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2

18th February 2013, 07:41 PM	#26
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	Originally Posted by Dicon Oooof. That one is worse. Happily, both mistakes have been corrected.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

18th February 2013, 09:47 PM	#27
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	By the way, I happen to think "Fighting the Fakers" is a pretty good slogan. Just don't misplace the R. If you call it "Fighting the Frakes", I don't think ST:TNG fans would approve very much. Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer You have no authority in this thread. I don't need no authority to rub the variety of Internet browsers I happen to use in yo face! So, why don't you spread that on your toast and eat it! Originally Posted by AdMan Happily, both mistakes have been corrected. Thank goodnes! I was almost going to boycot the event over the fact that they had such blatent typos all over they're home page! The nerve of them to have such eroneous contnet!!!!!
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

18th February 2013, 09:57 PM	#28
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	Originally Posted by Wowbagger Thank goodnes! I was almost going to boycot the event over the fact that they had such blatent typos all over they're home page! The nerve of them to have such eroneous contnet!!!!! Who'da thought it--there appears to be some overlap between pedants and skeptics.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

19th February 2013, 12:19 AM	#29
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	Originally Posted by Hokulele The line-up this year is much more interesting than last year's, to the point where I will probably register, rather than just skulk around the edges (like last year). The last slate of speakers felt like it was a lot of "so-and-so blogs about such-and-such", where this slate has more of "so-and-so does such-and-such in <field>". Yay! I agree the line up seems pretty good. The one presenter that seemed to me to be out of place is Cara Santa Maria (whom I admittedly am not at all familiar with), who is listed as "the Senior Science Correspondent for The Huffington Post." To be honest, from a skeptic POV and if you are familiar with a lot of the supposed "science" and medical writing that appears in The Huffington Post, that does not seem to be a very lofty accomplishment, and may not merit being a TAM speaker, but maybe (and hopefully) I haven't been keeping up with what's being posted recently and Ms. Santa Maria is changing things and bringing some actual science to that website.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

19th February 2013, 08:14 AM	#30
Hokulele Official Nemesis Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Trying to decide whether to set defenses against an army, or against mole rats. Posts: 27,274	Originally Posted by Doubt I agree. Not sure if I will have the time. Boo! TAM needs more Guttersluts. Originally Posted by AdMan I agree the line up seems pretty good. The one presenter that seemed to me to be out of place is Cara Santa Maria (whom I admittedly am not at all familiar with), who is listed as "the Senior Science Correspondent for The Huffington Post." To be honest, from a skeptic POV and if you are familiar with a lot of the supposed "science" and medical writing that appears in The Huffington Post, that does not seem to be a very lofty accomplishment, and may not merit being a TAM speaker, but maybe (and hopefully) I haven't been keeping up with what's being posted recently and Ms. Santa Maria is changing things and bringing some actual science to that website. Yeah, that one caused me to raise an eyebrow as well, but if (and it's still just an "if") she is responsible for the, er, unsupported positions taken on that site, what better venue could there be to hear a different viewpoint than TAM? Not only will the audience be exposed to the bad claims and arguments actually being made, but there will be a chance for her to be exposed to the counter-claims, arguments, and facts behind them. I had always wished that TAM would invite "the honorable opposition" (for lack of a better term) to speak, with a reminder to the audience to avoid behaving, well, like Scrut and Wowbagger. I believe it would work, given the respect the audience generally has shown to the MDC participants each year.
	__________________ Yvette: "Blasty! Blasty! Blasty!" Some person: "Why did you shoot that?" Yvette: "Blasty! Blasty! Blasty!" - Tragic Monkey

19th February 2013, 08:34 AM	#31
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by Hokulele I had always wished that TAM would invite "the honorable opposition" (for lack of a better term) to speak, with a reminder to the audience to avoid behaving, well, like Scrut and Wowbagger. He started it.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

19th February 2013, 09:55 AM	#32
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	Originally Posted by Hokulele Yeah, that one caused me to raise an eyebrow as well, but if (and it's still just an "if") she is responsible for the, er, unsupported positions taken on that site, what better venue could there be to hear a different viewpoint than TAM? Not only will the audience be exposed to the bad claims and arguments actually being made, but there will be a chance for her to be exposed to the counter-claims, arguments, and facts behind them. I've taken a look at her web page on the Huffington Post, and I'd have to say unlike some other "science" writers on that site it looks to me like she does know what she is talking about.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,197	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

19th February 2013, 11:26 AM	#33
zooterkin Nitpicking dilettante Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkshire, mostly Posts: 24,600	The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers.
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

19th February 2013, 11:51 AM	#34
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by zooterkin The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers. A female keynote? Has anyone told her TAM is not a safe zone?
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

19th February 2013, 12:20 PM	#35
WillyWonka Thinker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Great White North Posts: 157	Registration For TAM XI Is Open Originally Posted by zooterkin The keynote speaker is Susan Jacoby. I don't know much about her beyond what's in her potted biography, but she seems to be mainly an atheist and secular activist. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it seems a bit at odds with the theme of Fighting the Fakers. I had the same reaction, but I trust that JREF had a good reason to bring her in. A a keynote speaker, she will set the tone of the conference but she is not necessarily required to delve into a heavy scientific discussion. I am glad to see that Jamy is back. He probably gave the best presentation last year.