Issue
2 * February 15, 2006 |
Special Report: TAM4 (Continued)
Saturday
Saturday's lectures began with Richard Wiseman. I won't mention here how funny and entertaining he was, or how he once again received some of the highest praise from the attendee surveys, as it's just likely to give him a big head and then we'll never hear the end of it. Daniel Dennett delivered another well-received lecture on the evolution and future of religion in our world. The line-cutting Carolyn Porco showed astronomy buffs the photo album of a lifetime, and Mythbusters Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage, and Kari Byron got a fantastic reception, despite the fact that they didn't blow up a single thing. Paul Provenza said some things that would have landed him in jail in some countries, Ellen Johnson gave a fantastic retrospective of Madeline Murray O'Hair, and Hal Bidlack discussed his personal views on theism, providing a transition into a spirited discussion on whether or not a skeptic can believe in a god. The answer was . . . well, you'll just have to buy the TAM4 DVD to find out. Carnie Todd Robbins ran this year's auction, raising thousands of dollars for the JREF. Popular items included an American flag shirt worn by Penn earlier in the conference (which Randi then put on and danced around the stage - classic), a can of farts donated by the Mythbusters (yes, a can of farts, don't make me repeat myself), and a Skepchick calendar, signed by every skepchick in it, which sold for (I believe) $425.
Sunday
Luckily, the paper presentations were split into two groups in two different rooms, so I had to keep moving around which kept me awake. I faintly remember CSICOP's Ben Radford and the JREF forum's own Robert Lancaster delivering some outstanding presentations, but I'm going to have to buy the TAM DVDs to be sure. Talented geologists Ray "Slick" Beiersdorfer and Evelyn "Kitten" Mervine (you think I'm making those nicknames up but I'm not) then led five carloads of skeptics on a tour through Red Rocks Canyon. I was lucky enough to sit in the backseat of a car between Phil "The Bad Astronomer" Plait and Ray "Hot Fudge Sundae" Hyman (okay, I made up that last one but I swear it's appropriate). We had a great time exploring the breathtaking landscapes, getting mildly lost, and wedging ourselves into small gaps in the rocks for the benefit of funny pictures. That night was the last night many people were in town. We went to dinner, and then a large group ended up once again in my hotel room. The party was raging, and I was wilting. Something about the multitude of things I had to do at this TAM combined with the non-stop partying started to get to me. In the middle of the party, I picked up my plastic cup of whiskey and walked barefoot down to the hotel bar. I assumed that if everyone was in my bedroom, I'd get some privacy anywhere else.
Sid and I talked a while, and decided that we should get married next year in Vegas, at TAM 5. He folded me an engagement ring out of a ten dollar bill and told me he didn't mind if I hocked it the next morning for some breakfast (I was bluffing, I wouldn't dare). So if you're interested, you're all invited to the wedding. I was thinking we'd have Randi perform it, maybe in an Elvis get-up. I haven't run this past Randi yet, but I think it's right up his alley. After all, what else are we going to do to top this year? Was that not enough for you? See the JREF forum for more TAM 4 stories, or the blog of my very good friend, MoeFaux. Special thanks to Christian, MoeFaux, TJ , and Chip for the photos. |
||||||
NEW!
SKEPCHICK BLOG! COMING
UP IN SKEPCHICK EVER
THOUGHT OF MODELING? |
©2006 Skepchicks International™