Could members of the Mars Curiosity Rover be invited to speak at TAM 2013?

Calculon · 16th August 2012, 09:16 AM

They are having a reddit AMA right now (with way too many questions from the public to keep track of anything)
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comment...s_on_the_mars/

I would like to find out whom to direct this request, and to add to it that if members DO come to TAM to speak, they are not required to buy TAM tickets.

SkepticScott · 16th August 2012, 09:32 AM

I think that's a great idea. Carolyn Porco spoke at TAM4 IIRC, so there's precedent. Speakers never have to pay for TAM, or travel or hotel costs AFAIK. You should email (I think) Michael Blanford or D.J. Grothe with your suggestion, or just try tam at randi org.

Calculon · 16th August 2012, 09:37 AM

Thanks Scott. I know some speakers pay their way, but was hoping major ones were at least given more leeway.

If members of the team could make it, (and they live close enough that it is possible schedule permitting), the attendees at TAM would go nuts. I know I would.

The Central Scrutinizer · 16th August 2012, 10:04 AM

Could we get Mohawk Dude?

Wowbagger · 16th August 2012, 10:16 AM

At least one M.S.L. should be there, I think.

SkepticScott · 16th August 2012, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Calculon

I know some speakers pay their way, but was hoping major ones were at least given more leeway

That I didn't know. I thought every speaker (with the possible exception of the paper presenters) paid nothing, but that was just a conclusion from some comments Linda S. made years ago. I could be wrong. I just can't imagine inviting someone to speak at your conference and them requiring them to pay their own way.

Calculon · 16th August 2012, 11:06 AM

I know people at workshops at least who were expected to buy their own tickets to TAM and such. I have not asked major speakers what their contract was, of course.

Horatius · 17th August 2012, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by SkepticScott

That I didn't know. I thought every speaker (with the possible exception of the paper presenters) paid nothing, but that was just a conclusion from some comments Linda S. made years ago. I could be wrong. I just can't imagine inviting someone to speak at your conference and them requiring them to pay their own way.

I can confirm paper presenters pay their own way. But those people* volunteer to speak, so that's not too surprising. I'd expect invited talks to be treated differently.

*

alfaniner · 18th August 2012, 05:33 AM

If they'll do NPR's Wait, Wait show, they'll probably do anything.

WillyWonka · 18th August 2012, 07:14 AM

At conferences where I was invited to present a paper, the conference fee was always waived, but if I submitted an abstract to present a paper, I still had to pay.

Dicon · 18th August 2012, 10:23 AM

If I was a conference organizer, I'd have the speakers pay all their expenses up front, but I would later reimburse them 0% to 100%, depending on the quality of their talk (as judged by me).

And that is why I would be the least successful conference organizer in history.

CriticalThanking · 20th August 2012, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by alfaniner

If they'll do NPR's Wait, Wait show, they'll probably do anything.

IIRC, Mohawk Dude said he is now out of work, but Elvis Guy is still on the Rover program.

LarianLeQuella · 21st August 2012, 05:47 AM

Anyone interested in Curiosity, Rensselaer Polytech will have some folks from the team at their "reunion weekend". The MSL event will be at the EMPAC center, which is open to more than just RPI grads. RPI is located in Troy NY, near Albany for those who want to make the trip. I think it's in early October.

Sorry, going by memory here.

16th August 2012, 09:16 AM	#1
Calculon Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hollywood-ish Posts: 294	Could members of the Mars Curiosity Rover be invited to speak at TAM 2013? They are having a reddit AMA right now (with way too many questions from the public to keep track of anything) http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comment...s_on_the_mars/ I would like to find out whom to direct this request, and to add to it that if members DO come to TAM to speak, they are not required to buy TAM tickets.
	__________________ “If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting” Jack Handy Robbie Thomas is a stupid conman

16th August 2012, 09:32 AM	#2
SkepticScott TAM Volunteer Guy Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: North of Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 2,886	I think that's a great idea. Carolyn Porco spoke at TAM4 IIRC, so there's precedent. Speakers never have to pay for TAM, or travel or hotel costs AFAIK. You should email (I think) Michael Blanford or D.J. Grothe with your suggestion, or just try tam at randi org.
	__________________ -- Scott If mho, the unit of conductance, is in units of ¹/_ohm, are IQ and qi similarly inversely related? "I love that you nerds turned a thread about a party into a debate over currency aerodynamics." -- Rebecca

16th August 2012, 09:37 AM	#3
Calculon Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hollywood-ish Posts: 294	Thanks Scott. I know some speakers pay their way, but was hoping major ones were at least given more leeway. If members of the team could make it, (and they live close enough that it is possible schedule permitting), the attendees at TAM would go nuts. I know I would.
	__________________ “If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting” Jack Handy Robbie Thomas is a stupid conman

16th August 2012, 10:04 AM	#4
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Could we get Mohawk Dude?
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

16th August 2012, 10:16 AM	#5
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,532	At least one M.S.L. should be there, I think.
	__________________ 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!!!!

16th August 2012, 10:55 AM	#6
SkepticScott TAM Volunteer Guy Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: North of Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 2,886	Originally Posted by Calculon I know some speakers pay their way, but was hoping major ones were at least given more leeway That I didn't know. I thought every speaker (with the possible exception of the paper presenters) paid nothing, but that was just a conclusion from some comments Linda S. made years ago. I could be wrong. I just can't imagine inviting someone to speak at your conference and them requiring them to pay their own way.
	__________________ -- Scott If mho, the unit of conductance, is in units of ¹/_ohm, are IQ and qi similarly inversely related? "I love that you nerds turned a thread about a party into a debate over currency aerodynamics." -- Rebecca

16th August 2012, 11:06 AM	#7
Calculon Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hollywood-ish Posts: 294	I know people at workshops at least who were expected to buy their own tickets to TAM and such. I have not asked major speakers what their contract was, of course.
	__________________ “If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting” Jack Handy Robbie Thomas is a stupid conman

17th August 2012, 06:36 AM	#8
Horatius NWO Kitty Wrangler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 21,894	Originally Posted by SkepticScott That I didn't know. I thought every speaker (with the possible exception of the paper presenters) paid nothing, but that was just a conclusion from some comments Linda S. made years ago. I could be wrong. I just can't imagine inviting someone to speak at your conference and them requiring them to pay their own way. I can confirm paper presenters pay their own way. But those people* volunteer to speak, so that's not too surprising. I'd expect invited talks to be treated differently. *
	__________________ Obviously, that means cats are indeed evil and that ownership or display of a feline is an overt declaration of one's affiliation with dark forces. - Cl1mh4224rd

18th August 2012, 05:33 AM	#9
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sorth Dakonsin Posts: 11,395	If they'll do NPR's Wait, Wait show, they'll probably do anything.
	__________________ Science doesn't lie.

18th August 2012, 07:14 AM	#10
WillyWonka Thinker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Great White North Posts: 157	At conferences where I was invited to present a paper, the conference fee was always waived, but if I submitted an abstract to present a paper, I still had to pay.

18th August 2012, 10:23 AM	#11
Dicon is not a radish Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grumpy in Seattle Posts: 2,970	If I was a conference organizer, I'd have the speakers pay all their expenses up front, but I would later reimburse them 0% to 100%, depending on the quality of their talk (as judged by me). And that is why I would be the least successful conference organizer in history.

20th August 2012, 10:54 AM	#12
CriticalThanking Designated Hitter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the queue to Williamsport Posts: 2,159	Originally Posted by alfaniner If they'll do NPR's Wait, Wait show, they'll probably do anything. IIRC, Mohawk Dude said he is now out of work, but Elvis Guy is still on the Rover program.

21st August 2012, 05:47 AM	#13
LarianLeQuella Elf Wino Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: 3rd Rock from the Sun Posts: 1,995	Anyone interested in Curiosity, Rensselaer Polytech will have some folks from the team at their "reunion weekend". The MSL event will be at the EMPAC center, which is open to more than just RPI grads. RPI is located in Troy NY, near Albany for those who want to make the trip. I think it's in early October. Sorry, going by memory here.
	__________________ My crappy blog that no one should be forced to read. Ever... But I like traffic and comments, so have at it if you please. Larian LeQuella Armyn ab Treanid