Bring the Indian rationalists to TAM

ottle · 5th February 2008, 02:59 PM

Hey, everybody!

I am trying to get Basava Premanad, one of india's rationalists and 'guru busters' to TAM. Premanand founded the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, which tours the villages of India to educate people by debunking gurus and fakirs.

http://www.indiansceptic.in/index.htm

I think it would be fascinating to hear from this man who has spent his life working directly against woo and pseudoscience in a very real sense.
Unfortunately, at this time, the JREF cannot financially support him coming to the U.S. from India.

So. I am totally copying RemieV's idea and am holding a Bring the Indian skeptics to TAM Fundraiser.

We are not taking donations for the fund at this time - only pledges, which are due by March. The goal is $7,000 - not an easy target, i know.

If you can donate to this worthy cause, please send a PM, or post here, or both!

For more information about Premanand's work, see "Guru Busters." It's a three-part documentary (see them all here, here and here).

Also, see my post about them, specific to the work they do against Sai Baba here.

Look for at least one (maybe more) cool auctions I'll be holding to try to fund this as well.

Thanks!
ottle

RSLancastr · 5th February 2008, 03:51 PM

As long as there are no plans to outsource/offshore our skepticism...

kittynh · 5th February 2008, 06:24 PM

wow! Have you checked with Jeff Wagg about perhaps a scholarship donation? You know a partial donation since it is so much money.

Gravy · 5th February 2008, 07:13 PM

That's a great idea, ottle. It would be a shame not to have an official venue where many people could hear him speak, though (if not at this TAM then perhaps another). Is that what you're thinking of? Can you give a general idea of how the $7,000 breaks down?

An alternative if he can't be brought here could be an address to TAM by video. A pale substitute, sure, but better than nothing.

DiskoVilante · 5th February 2008, 08:29 PM

Since $7,000 is quite a hefty sum, it'd be best if we maximize his stay here. Will he be giving a talk? If not, maybe we should bring him in next year instead of this. But yeah, I'd really like to hear his experiences since I feel most of us haven't had that much first hand exposure at debunking.

I hope I don't sound like an ass...

UnrepentantSinner · 6th February 2008, 02:17 AM

I'm in for $50 Ottle. I, for one, would love to have more diversity amonst our non-American attendees. (Not that I don't love our LAs, Euros and Antipodians.

)

ottle · 6th February 2008, 08:36 AM

I got the number from Jeff - I will work with him on a breakout of expenses. Yes, the plan would be for him not to just attend but to be a speaker at TAM as well.

Thanks for your support, all! We are at $600 already!

UnrepentantSinner · 6th February 2008, 09:33 AM

With layoffs I'm not sure if North Texas Skeptics Prasad Golla is still an employee at my workplace or not, but I'm going to contact him and see if he'll try and attend and perhaps contribute to Basava's attendance.

ottle · 6th February 2008, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by UnrepentantSinner

With layoffs I'm not sure if North Texas Skeptics Prasad Golla is still an employee at my workplace or not, but I'm going to contact him and see if he'll try and attend and perhaps contribute to Basava's attendance.

I had traded emails with him at one point - very cool person. I'd love to meet him in person.

kittynh · 6th February 2008, 01:49 PM

wow, is this the man that has been on television? Because he would make a great speaker.

Wowbagger · 6th February 2008, 01:53 PM

I can probably chip in a bit.

nowoo · 6th February 2008, 04:54 PM

Maybe a PayPal donation link would make it convenient for people to donate to this cause. Does anyone know what's involved in setting one up?

a.real.girl · 6th February 2008, 11:41 PM

I'm in for $100

ottle · 7th February 2008, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by nowoo

Maybe a PayPal donation link would make it convenient for people to donate to this cause. Does anyone know what's involved in setting one up?

Yes, once we have enough pledges (maybe 50% of the way), we'll set this up 'for real' through the JREF paypal. Right now, I'm just trying to solicit pledges to show that there's enough interest to make it happen.

Thanks all - we're at $850 so far!

ottle · 7th February 2008, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gravy

An alternative if he can't be brought here could be an address to TAM by video. A pale substitute, sure, but better than nothing.

Gravy, thanks for the idea - I'm going to see if we can get some sort of a video at TAM, if we can't get him here in person - maybe it will drum up enough interest to get him here for the next one!

The Bad Astronomer · 7th February 2008, 02:33 PM

http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2...-get-to-tam-6/

:-)

ottle · 7th February 2008, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by The Bad Astronomer

http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2...-get-to-tam-6/

:-)

Thanks, Phil! You rock

Brown · 7th February 2008, 06:48 PM

Put me down for 50 bucks.

Not 50 robust Canadian bucks, mind you, but 50 puny US bucks ('cause US bucks are what I'm taking to Vegas, baby).

ottle · 8th February 2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Brown

Put me down for 50 bucks.

Not 50 robust Canadian bucks, mind you, but 50 puny US bucks ('cause US bucks are what I'm taking to Vegas, baby).

We'll take the bucks, puny or not.

Thanks!!

UnrepentantSinner · 8th February 2008, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by ottle

I had traded emails with him at one point - very cool person. I'd love to meet him in person.

Shoot. Looks like he's no longer with the company. I'll try and contact him through North Texas Skeptics.

ottle · 11th February 2008, 11:18 AM

We're at $1020 so far. Thanks all. I should have details on at least one auction in support of this cause soon.

ottle · 17th February 2008, 09:32 AM

bump!

Jeff Wagg · 20th February 2008, 10:25 AM

Just an update... TAM 6's schedule is full to the bursting point. If you guys can somehow pull this off, we WILL find a place for him.. somewhere.

Why $7000? We have to fly him business class. We can't fly the guy literally from the other side of world in coach and expect him to speak for us.

So.. if it doesn't work this year, consider it for next year.

One other thing.. the reason we don't have a PayPal link is because we don't want to collect any money until we're sure it will happen. We did a similar thing for Derren Brown, and he couldn't attend after we enough pledges for it. If we had collected money, it would have been a nightmare.

UnrepentantSinner · 20th February 2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Jeff Wagg

If we had collected money, it would have been a nightmare.

A caveat that should the attemp fall through, the money would go for getting another speaker would probably mitigate the refund issue.

5th February 2008, 02:59 PM	#1
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Bring the Indian rationalists to TAM Hey, everybody! I am trying to get Basava Premanad, one of india's rationalists and 'guru busters' to TAM. Premanand founded the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, which tours the villages of India to educate people by debunking gurus and fakirs. http://www.indiansceptic.in/index.htm I think it would be fascinating to hear from this man who has spent his life working directly against woo and pseudoscience in a very real sense. Unfortunately, at this time, the JREF cannot financially support him coming to the U.S. from India. So. I am totally copying RemieV's idea and am holding a Bring the Indian skeptics to TAM Fundraiser. We are not taking donations for the fund at this time - only pledges, which are due by March. The goal is $7,000 - not an easy target, i know. If you can donate to this worthy cause, please send a PM, or post here, or both! For more information about Premanand's work, see "Guru Busters." It's a three-part documentary (see them all here, here and here). Also, see my post about them, specific to the work they do against Sai Baba here. Look for at least one (maybe more) cool auctions I'll be holding to try to fund this as well. Thanks! ottle
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

5th February 2008, 03:51 PM	#2
RSLancastr Philosopher www.StopSylvia.com Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 8,071	As long as there are no plans to outsource/offshore our skepticism...
	__________________ Who is "Kaz?" Read about her at www.StopKaz.com. Curious about Sylvia Browne? Read about her at www.StopSylvia.com. Ever wonder "What's the Harm?" with psychics, alternative medicine, etc?

5th February 2008, 06:24 PM	#3
kittynh The Hupsu Detective auctioneer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: If I told the aliens could find me, and you know they read this forum Posts: 20,271	wow! Have you checked with Jeff Wagg about perhaps a scholarship donation? You know a partial donation since it is so much money.
	__________________ "The Bible is like a person, if you torture it long enough you can get it to say anything" (some minister on National Geographic! I don't know his name but he rocks in my book) WWW.BADALIEN.ORG - not all the buttons work yet, and the science content is coming...but it's ALIVE!

5th February 2008, 07:13 PM	#4
Gravy Downsitting Citizen Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the argyle Posts: 17,062	That's a great idea, ottle. It would be a shame not to have an official venue where many people could hear him speak, though (if not at this TAM then perhaps another). Is that what you're thinking of? Can you give a general idea of how the $7,000 breaks down? An alternative if he can't be brought here could be an address to TAM by video. A pale substitute, sure, but better than nothing.
	__________________ "Please, keep your chops cool and don’t overblow.” –Freddie Hubbard What's the Harm?........Stop Sylvia Browne........My 9/11 links

5th February 2008, 08:29 PM	#5
DiskoVilante Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 774	Since $7,000 is quite a hefty sum, it'd be best if we maximize his stay here. Will he be giving a talk? If not, maybe we should bring him in next year instead of this. But yeah, I'd really like to hear his experiences since I feel most of us haven't had that much first hand exposure at debunking. I hope I don't sound like an ass...
	__________________ Factonista - I am co-founder and editor of this student run freethought group blog. BASS- My UCLA skeptics student group. RN.com - things and portfolio - My personal site/blog/portfolio.

6th February 2008, 02:17 AM	#6
UnrepentantSinner A post by Alan Smithee Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USAian is not a word Posts: 23,160	I'm in for $50 Ottle. I, for one, would love to have more diversity amonst our non-American attendees. (Not that I don't love our LAs, Euros and Antipodians.)
	__________________ "The permanence of the stars was questioned, the justice of slavery was not" - Carl Sagan in Cosmos discussing the content of the Library of Alexandria. a post by Alan Smithee explained. Blutoski's taxonomy of woo Join my The Not Cool Kids Club

6th February 2008, 08:36 AM	#7
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	I got the number from Jeff - I will work with him on a breakout of expenses. Yes, the plan would be for him not to just attend but to be a speaker at TAM as well. Thanks for your support, all! We are at $600 already!
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett Last edited by ottle; 6th February 2008 at 08:42 AM.

6th February 2008, 09:33 AM	#8
UnrepentantSinner A post by Alan Smithee Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USAian is not a word Posts: 23,160	With layoffs I'm not sure if North Texas Skeptics Prasad Golla is still an employee at my workplace or not, but I'm going to contact him and see if he'll try and attend and perhaps contribute to Basava's attendance.
	__________________ "The permanence of the stars was questioned, the justice of slavery was not" - Carl Sagan in Cosmos discussing the content of the Library of Alexandria. a post by Alan Smithee explained. Blutoski's taxonomy of woo Join my The Not Cool Kids Club

6th February 2008, 01:27 PM	#9
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Originally Posted by UnrepentantSinner With layoffs I'm not sure if North Texas Skeptics Prasad Golla is still an employee at my workplace or not, but I'm going to contact him and see if he'll try and attend and perhaps contribute to Basava's attendance. I had traded emails with him at one point - very cool person. I'd love to meet him in person.
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

6th February 2008, 01:49 PM	#10
kittynh The Hupsu Detective auctioneer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: If I told the aliens could find me, and you know they read this forum Posts: 20,271	wow, is this the man that has been on television? Because he would make a great speaker.
	__________________ "The Bible is like a person, if you torture it long enough you can get it to say anything" (some minister on National Geographic! I don't know his name but he rocks in my book) WWW.BADALIEN.ORG - not all the buttons work yet, and the science content is coming...but it's ALIVE!

6th February 2008, 01:53 PM	#11
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 7,155	I can probably chip in a bit.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC 2009: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ A conference on science and skepticism where *you* could be a presenter!

6th February 2008, 04:54 PM	#12
nowoo Scholar Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 52	Maybe a PayPal donation link would make it convenient for people to donate to this cause. Does anyone know what's involved in setting one up?
nowoo Scholar Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 52

6th February 2008, 11:41 PM	#13
a.real.girl Muse Director of Operations Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 576	I'm in for $100
	__________________ I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy. I am trying to break your heart...- Wilco All along there was no one else, just you & me, the stars & the sea, the sky & the night, the wind & sunlight.

7th February 2008, 09:46 AM	#14
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Originally Posted by nowoo Maybe a PayPal donation link would make it convenient for people to donate to this cause. Does anyone know what's involved in setting one up? Yes, once we have enough pledges (maybe 50% of the way), we'll set this up 'for real' through the JREF paypal. Right now, I'm just trying to solicit pledges to show that there's enough interest to make it happen. Thanks all - we're at $850 so far!
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

7th February 2008, 09:47 AM	#15
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Originally Posted by Gravy An alternative if he can't be brought here could be an address to TAM by video. A pale substitute, sure, but better than nothing. Gravy, thanks for the idea - I'm going to see if we can get some sort of a video at TAM, if we can't get him here in person - maybe it will drum up enough interest to get him here for the next one!
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

7th February 2008, 02:33 PM	#16
The Bad Astronomer Administrator JREF President Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Boulder Posts: 832	http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2...-get-to-tam-6/ :-)

7th February 2008, 06:22 PM	#17
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Originally Posted by The Bad Astronomer http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2...-get-to-tam-6/ :-) Thanks, Phil! You rock
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

7th February 2008, 06:48 PM	#18
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	Put me down for 50 bucks. Not 50 robust Canadian bucks, mind you, but 50 puny US bucks ('cause US bucks are what I'm taking to Vegas, baby).
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice Last edited by Brown; 7th February 2008 at 06:48 PM.

8th February 2008, 11:23 AM	#19
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	Originally Posted by Brown Put me down for 50 bucks. Not 50 robust Canadian bucks, mind you, but 50 puny US bucks ('cause US bucks are what I'm taking to Vegas, baby). We'll take the bucks, puny or not. Thanks!!
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

8th February 2008, 11:22 PM	#20
UnrepentantSinner A post by Alan Smithee Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USAian is not a word Posts: 23,160	Originally Posted by ottle I had traded emails with him at one point - very cool person. I'd love to meet him in person. Shoot. Looks like he's no longer with the company. I'll try and contact him through North Texas Skeptics.
	__________________ "The permanence of the stars was questioned, the justice of slavery was not" - Carl Sagan in Cosmos discussing the content of the Library of Alexandria. a post by Alan Smithee explained. Blutoski's taxonomy of woo Join my The Not Cool Kids Club

11th February 2008, 11:18 AM	#21
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	We're at $1020 so far. Thanks all. I should have details on at least one auction in support of this cause soon.
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

17th February 2008, 09:32 AM	#22
ottle Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 525	bump!
	__________________ www.masala-skeptic.com "There is a rumour going around that I have found God. I think this is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist." -- Terry Pratchett

20th February 2008, 10:25 AM	#23
Jeff Wagg Communication and Outreach Manager JREF Staff Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,677	Just an update... TAM 6's schedule is full to the bursting point. If you guys can somehow pull this off, we WILL find a place for him.. somewhere. Why $7000? We have to fly him business class. We can't fly the guy literally from the other side of world in coach and expect him to speak for us. So.. if it doesn't work this year, consider it for next year. One other thing.. the reason we don't have a PayPal link is because we don't want to collect any money until we're sure it will happen. We did a similar thing for Derren Brown, and he couldn't attend after we enough pledges for it. If we had collected money, it would have been a nightmare.

20th February 2008, 10:06 PM	#24
UnrepentantSinner A post by Alan Smithee Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USAian is not a word Posts: 23,160	Originally Posted by Jeff Wagg If we had collected money, it would have been a nightmare. A caveat that should the attemp fall through, the money would go for getting another speaker would probably mitigate the refund issue.
	__________________ "The permanence of the stars was questioned, the justice of slavery was not" - Carl Sagan in Cosmos discussing the content of the Library of Alexandria. a post by Alan Smithee explained. Blutoski's taxonomy of woo Join my The Not Cool Kids Club