Panel Ideas

[Cleon]

OK, here are some panel ideas I've been coming up with:

Ghost-hunting: What it's really about
(AKA: A Big Middle Finger to the TAPS People)

Skeptics in Space: From the Lunar Landing Hoax to Killer Asteroids

Science and Skepticism in the Classroom
(We can't have Kylie here and not do this. It's an incredibly important topic, IMO.)

The 9/11 Conspiracy
(Creatively titled to attract Troofers. :D Seriously, I think it's important to do a 9/11 Conspiracies panel, and it would positively rock if we could get Mark Roberts to DragonCon. I believe he's considering a move to New Orleans, so this might be within the realm of possibility. If y'all want, I'd be happy to contact him and see.)

Skeptics on the Web
(Our bloggers, like Phil and Maria (Masala Skeptic), and Tim (who runs whatstheharmnet), could talk about their sites and what they have accomplished or hope to.)

More to come as I think of them...

[dcolanduno]

All good ideas I think.

Maybe I can get Alison Smith to do her cool Ghost, how to figure out the hoaxes, spot the 'reality' talk again this year. And, I am sure I can get Phil to do one of his many, really cool, talks about the moon hoax! Kylie, I am sure, would LOVE to do the talk on teaching and Skeptical thought, that is RIGHT up her alley.

Let me know if you can contact Mark. Worst case, I believe Shermer has a pre-done talk he gives about the 9/11 conspiracy stuff. He was approved on Tuesday, so he is coming as well.

On the web stuff... we can do a big round table type thing. All the ones you mentioned, and Dr. Novella is coming as well, so he would definitely be involved as well. :)

[phlebas]

How about something interactive? Give the crowd a set of observations, then have them choose the most likely cause.

Hmmm... I don't know... sounded better in my head :) But giving people the chance to stretch their own brains might help some of the concepts sink in -- moreso than just feeding it all to them. Sort of turning the panel around backwards.

[dcolanduno]

Ya,

Funny enough I was thinking of something along those lines as well. I want to have some more 'workshop' type things, which that was completely fit under.

[kyliesturgess]

Kylie, I am sure, would LOVE to do the talk on teaching and Skeptical thought, that is RIGHT up her alley.

I wrote to Derek on this already, but I may as well cut-and-paste:

I'm NOT a science teacher. It'd be wrong of me to pose as one and I'd run the risk of misrepresenting science teachers if I tried.

I have a double-major in Philosophy and Literature; Diploma of Education, Masters of Education, in Special Learning Needs; last year I was doing my Graduate Diploma in Psychology - this year I am writing my thesis on pseudoscientific and paranormal beliefs in secondary students and working as a research assistant on retention rates and engagement in schools; working also under contract to the Curriculum Council to write / feedback on the new Philosophy and Ethics course. Blah blah woof woof.

There's nothing there that recommends me as a science teacher. Sod bugger all!

So although I can talk about education, gender issues, special learning needs, literacy, skepticism, beliefs, philosophy / ethics and critical thinking in education... I can't talk about science education with any authority unless it's something like 'linked to general literacy', et al.

Which is what I do on my blog; I focus on improving general literacy skills by using science books and encouraging critical thinking via selected pro-skeptic texts. Research paranormal / pseudoscience in the media and its impact on youth in particular.

There's no way I'd be putting myself forward as an expert on things like posing as a 'science teacher' that I didn't have formal studies / research experience on. It runs the risk of trivialising stakeholders.

Besides, I'd expect Michael "Athon" McRae to kick my arrogant, egotistical arse if I tried.

I am a member of the TANK vodcast (http://www.tankvodcast.wordpress.com) and there's examples there of my experience - so, anything that would involve vodcasting would be good; I have some national and local (statewide) radio exposure here in Australia...

.... but seriously, I'd be just as happy to sell shirts with 'Skepticality', as that's what I signed up for primarily.

If there was anything that I can be thrown in for as 'that one on the end of the panel', sign me up - if it legitimately matches with anything I have admitted qualifications for.

I don't like wasting people's time by posing as something I'm not.

[kyliesturgess]

Ya,

Funny enough I was thinking of something along those lines as well. I want to have some more 'workshop' type things, which that was completely fit under.

That would be bloody interesting! Is Daniel Loxton going to Dragon*con... this could be the start of something useful if it's aimed at engaging the younger years... Especially after how another skeptic group ignored the value of educating kids with materials that critically evaluate weird concepts in a workshop.

[dcolanduno]

Loxton told me his is thinking about coming to D*C this year, based on everything he keeps hearing about how much fun it would be. I told him that with all the stuff he has done, I am sure that many other tracks would love to use him on panels just due to his work with SFX and stuff like that. But, he said he'd want to come and enjoy, but he might be too shy to even be on a panel... :(

But, thanks for being so up front on your teaching cred... We will have to ensure to keep your butt on events you CAN be an expert on.

Maybe you can go on one of the Podcasting Track Video Podcasting panels... ;)

[kyliesturgess]

Possible panels or workshops or what have you... these may be rather blah -

* What's the Harm - stemming from the project online, people suggest the big dangers and how to pro-actively deal with them and in what media mediums.

* Sci Fi to Sci to Sci Fi- what is the intersection and how do they inform each other? Is it important we tap into the broader genres of speculative fiction? Can a mix of interviews / panel members from the fiction / non-fiction face each other down over how each views / represents the other?

Stealing from my ideas I posted on Skepticality forums:

* Podcasting in a Woo World - what are the important topics? Use Daniel Loxton's essay as a jumping-off-point for investigating what is needed and where we are the most effective spokespeople.

* Skeptical podcasting and the intersection with science podcasting in general - where do you fit in? What aspects do skeptics bring to the table that are needed? What professional aspects do you need to consider and how are skeptics regarded?

* Vod-Blasted and Pod-Farce - Interview Tips, Strategies, Pitfalls and Considerations: - what can and does go wrong, what are the challenges, where did we screw it up and how to pick up the mic, dust off the dirt, take off the lens cap and start again.

* Executive Decisions - where do we draw the line in terms of what goes out? Ethics and audience consideration in online broadcasting and the legal guidelines and professional accumen. Also - the 'cursing' question; do we need to say 'bullshit' to talk about it?

[kyliesturgess]

Loxton told me his is thinking about coming to D*C this year, based on everything he keeps hearing about how much fun it would be. I told him that with all the stuff he has done, I am sure that many other tracks would love to use him on panels just due to his work with SFX and stuff like that. But, he said he'd want to come and enjoy, but he might be too shy to even be on a panel... :(

He will meet Richard Saunders at TAM6 and Richard can assure him in person exactly how bossy and ego-plumping I am in terms of pushing people into a situation where they will take credit for their work.

Just ask Michael McRae, who has been on Skepticality more than me - which is 90% due to his sheer talent and 10% my throwing a temper tantrum until he did it! :p

I am not above bribery. Does Daniel like minties, perhaps... ?

[dcolanduno]

I don't know if he likes them or not...

He should come, even he DOESN'T come on a panel. He would LOVE it. He is an amazing 3-D artist, and loves all of that stuff. He'd have an amazing time.

[kyliesturgess]

I don't know if he likes them or not...

I'll make a list of 'things to bribe Daniel with'. Here, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel... koala-shaped chocolates!!! onto the panel, come on!!!

He should come, even he DOESN'T come on a panel. He would LOVE it. He is an amazing 3-D artist, and loves all of that stuff. He'd have an amazing time.

He's a freaking bloody sodding brilliant bugger with his art. I want the one with the alien in the Stonehenge pic that's in Jr Skeptic too. If those could be sold / auctioned off, on good quality paper... even sold in little versions...

Art and creativity and science would make a good panel too. Is there an intersection? Out some of the arty talents of the science and skeptic people, like you and Swoopy and what abilities you all have.

[dcolanduno]

I like these so far.

In a bit I am going to start putting stuff into the schedule. What I like to do is just fill things into the schedule. Then, we can move stuff around, subtract for better new things, etc... :)

[RockBiologist]

Hi everybody! :)

I've been attending Dragon*Con since 2004, but I've only recently found out about the Skeptrack. Although I've been a molecular biologist in academia for some time, this year's presidential race finally got me angry enough to - in my own limited way - be a public advocate for evolution in the face of the creationist idiocy gripping large chunks of the nation. Is there anything in the works to do a panel on creationism and its various mutant forms, like intelligent design, "teach the controversy," "strengths and weaknesses of evolution," and "academic freedom?" I've left posts on Pharyngula trying to tempt PZ Myers to attend D*C (he's a Firefly fan) but I doubt it will happen. I'm no Richard Dawkins or Ken Miller but I might be able to help out.

[dcolanduno]

Thanks for coming around and finding us! One of the reasons you never found us at the con before is that... well... this is our FIRST year as a 'real' track. Last year, I invited a few of the big name Skeptics and Science folks who are into the political side of science, and we had a few come in 2006 as well, Phil Plait, etc...

The Skeptic events last year were all so packed that people couldn't even get into the doors, so they gave us a full track! So, this will be the first year, and you haven't missed anything really.

I have invited PZ, and the first pass the Guest Committee didn't know who he was and passed on his application. I sent them a note to see if they would re-consider. Although, we have TONS of other great names coming.

Lori Lipman Brown, Phil Plait, Michael Shermer, Ben Radford, James Randi, etc, etc...

So, our little chunk of the con will be quite fun for you!

Also, myself and my co-host are the hosts of the official podcast for Skeptic Magazine, Skepticality... so we do some updates about Dragon*Con now and there as well. Our show might be of some interest to you as well!

Thanks for coming around! :)