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9:44 pm
March 23, 2009
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Stephen
| | San Jose, CA | |
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I'm thinking about attending The Amazing Meeting this year. It's an annual conference sponsored by the James Randi Educational Foundation, and is probably the biggest meeting of skeptics on the planet. (Feel free to doubt that.)
So my questions are:
- Are any other Skeptical Viewers planning on attending?
- What should I do while I'm there?
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Stephen the Friendly Skeptic
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11:08 pm
March 23, 2009
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Hannah
| | Texas | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 361 |
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Would be great if you could talk to Joe Nickell and hopefully get an interview. Would be interesting–are the producers of Ghost Hunters requiring
J & G to produce more evidence?
Joe Nickell:
A Sci-Fi programming executive said lamely, “It’s definitely important to us that this show is not manufacturing anything, and our assurance comes from those doing that show, because it’s even more important to them—Jason and Grant’s reputations are riding on this more than anybody’s.” He added, “I believe the show is real and I’m the biggest skeptic, out there.”
http://www.csicop.org/si/2006-05/i-files.html
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12:35 am
March 24, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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What should you do while you're there?
General Statement- Why…have a great time, of course.
Advice- If you are talking in a small group and someone over the age of 30 mentions what school they attended within the first 2 minutes of the conversation, walk away. If it's an Ivy League school, run.
Dare- Walk around wearing a "Uri Geller Is Better Than You!" T-shirt.
Triple Dog Dare- While in that T-shirt, walk around with a clipboard with a petition for the Canonization of Uri Geller. Clearly his three miracles of telepathy, spoon-bending, and watch-stopping makes him a Saint.
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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8:48 am
March 24, 2009
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Stephen
| | San Jose, CA | |
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Dear god– I just realized that I dreamed of the convention. James Randi and John Hodgman got into a fight, and I had to mediate between them. (No, as far as I know Hodgman is not attending.)
Thanks for the advice, Revenant. Actually, I think the Canonization of St. Uri would be pretty cool, although I'd rather not be beaten to death by bent spoons.
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Stephen the Friendly Skeptic
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9:10 am
March 24, 2009
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Camile
| | I'll Believe It When I See It, Texas | |
| Investigator in Training | posts 23 |
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Stephen said:
I'm thinking about attending The Amazing Meeting this year. It's an annual conference sponsored by the James Randi Educational Foundation, and is probably the biggest meeting of skeptics on the planet. (Feel free to doubt that.)
So my questions are:
- Are any other Skeptical Viewers planning on attending?
- What should I do while I'm there?
I'd love to attend, but as they say 'If wishes were fishes…' so that would be a 'no'.
"What should you do while you're there?" EVERYTHING!! And of course, report it all back to us! If we can't personally be there and if we can't be there 'in spirit' in a room full of skeptics, at least we can be there via you and a pocket recorder, camcorder, etc. right? :)
Go and have a wonderful time!! :)
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2:37 pm
March 24, 2009
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Hannah
| | Texas | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 361 |
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Ah, gee whiz, forgot to say have fun!! 
Camille: "If we can't personally be there and if we can't be there 'in spirit' in a room full of skeptics, at least we can be there via you and a pocket recorder, camcorder, etc. right?"
Don't forget K-2 meter and full-spectrum camera. 
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12:46 am
March 25, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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Stephen said:
Thanks for the advice, Revenant. Actually, I think the Canonization of St. Uri would be pretty cool, although I'd rather not be beaten to death by bent spoons.
But that's the beauty of it…after your death, Uri will appear and resurrect you. It will be awesome! 
Ok, I did take a look at TAM7. A few things caught my eye:
Joe Nickell is on the list to give a speech. Should be very entertaining. ( http://www.joenickell.com/ )
Ray Hyman will be talking about psychics and cold reading. I didn't read that anywhere, I just know it because I'm psychic. Also…you are thinking of going to TAM7 with someone whose name begins with a "S" a "M" or a "D." Maybe brown or blond hair. I'm also seeing you…driving…something with four wheels….
Alison Smith is also on the list. That should be extremely interesting given the wild threads going on about her over at JREF. If she opens it up to a Q&A, there could be some fireworks.
Penn and Teller will be performing. $65 though. I saw them years ago in Chicago. Really good show. Got a chance to meet Penn and hang out a bit. Only five minutes or so. Still, very personable and very funny.
Then on Sunday, there's the James Randi Mentalism demonstration. That might be fun and it's free as well. There's also a small "private" lunch with him earlier in the weekend. Only 15 people allowed…at $500 a pop. It would be really, really cool of you to take 14 of us with you. Just sayin'…
But really, after taking a look at all the speakers, I can't imagine that you could go wrong.
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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8:34 am
March 25, 2009
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Stephen
| | San Jose, CA | |
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OK, now you guys have me psyched for this. Tricky part is that my a cappella singing group is performing on the 11th, so I'll either need to rearrange our concert or miss part of the conference. But I agree– it would be great to interview Joe Nickell and Allison Smith, if possible.
Pretty good, Revenant, but your Gypsy powers are failing you… my red-headed wife (whose name starts with a 'C') is busy that weekend, so I'll be traveling (by plane) alone. :) Plus, Uri Geller would appear before my fallen body, then complain bitterly that all of this skepticism nullifies his powers.
If I can clear the way to attend the entire conference, then do daily reports, that would be… Amazing! (ducks)
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Stephen the Friendly Skeptic
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5:16 am
April 6, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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Stephen,
You know…there's a Talent Show at the TAM 7.
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/499-tam-7-talent-show.html
Maybe a little "Seven Sister's Inn" can work its way to the stage… 
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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6:43 pm
July 5, 2009
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Stephen
| | San Jose, CA | |
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| posts 589 |
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I'm going to TAM!
My concert was cancelled, so the weekend opened up. It's the financial equivalent of microwaving my credit card to serve as a tasty fondue, but I am going to Las Vegas this coming weekend to attend TAM. Due to the last-minute nature of the whole thing (and deadlines at work) I'll only get to attend the weekend segment, but I am going.
Now I need to print up some business cards…
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Stephen the Friendly Skeptic
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