I am in Las Vegas! Woohoo!
I’m here for The Amazing Meeting, a gathering of skeptics from across the globe, where we talk about pseudoscience, frauds, psychics (oops– same thing) and generally sit around and doubt stuff. It’s wonderful.
The lineup gets better every year. We have the usual strong showing of folks, like Michael Shermer, Julia Sweeney (more on her in a sec), Hal Bidlack, Jamy Ian Swiss, Richard Wiseman, and of course Penn & Teller. But last year we got the Mythbusters, and this year Adam Savage is back (more on him in a sec too). It’s been a whirlwind day, and there’s already been way too much to comment on. First, the man himself:
Randi gave the opening comments, and he was terrific. We had a scare last year when he had a heart attack after TAM4, but after months of surgery, hard work, and support from all of us who love him dearly, he is now fit, healthy, and ready to unflimflam the flummery.
We had great speeches from Shermer, my dear friend Genie Scott from NCSE (she was a key player in the creationism Dover trials last year), and many more. Richard Wiseman, despite computer woes, gave a great talk (I’ll have more on him tomorrow or the next). Penn & Teller did a Q&A which was funny and wonderful– Teller never talks in their act, which is a pity. He is incredibly articulate, warm, funny, and really has a great voice. Irony. Here they are, with Hal giving them their plaques:
Penn is always mobbed at TAM, but I got a couple of minutes to chat with him. He has a national radio show, and tomorrow I will go to his house (called the Slammer) to tape an interview! Holy Haleakale! I have always wanted to see his house– it’s a trip, with toys and gags and goofiness everywhere. I will corner him into doing a brief webcam interview with me, and I’ll post it here.
I thought I would too busy for dinner, but I was able to get away for a few minutes to go to the Star Trek exhibit at the Hilton. I ate dinner at Quark’s Bar, which was a RIOT. I am such the Trek Geek. Look at this swag:
That model was enormous, three meters long at least. I ran into an old friend, too:
Give yourself three points if you know that was a Gorn. Ah, but who wrote the original story? It’s one of my favorite stories, and by a favorite author. Get them both right for ten (non-redeemable) points.
Finally, over the bar was this inflatable Klingon ship:
I have two dogs, and when they get in that position in the back yard I know to get a plastic bag. I didn’t know birds-of-prey could do that. I guess it’s a warp core dump. HAHAHAHAHAHahahaha! Oh man, geek funny is the best.
Finally, it was back to the Riviera, just in time to see Hal Bidlack do his performance as Alexander Hamilton. I swear, I’m not that interested in history, but Hal is a consummate performer, never dropping character, and giving a fantastic show as Hamilton. He will travel to do the show; if you have a venue for him, seek him out.
Then two very cool things happened. One was that Adam Savage from Mythbusters came in, and I got a chance to chat with him for a few minutes. He was happy to see me again! How frakkin’ cool is that? We had a good time last year at TAM 4, but I hardly got to talk to him since he was a superstar there. I’m hoping to get some more time to talk with him here. He has some things on the show coming up I might be able to help them with…
The last cool thing was that my dear, dear friend Julia Sweeney did a show with up-and-coming singer Jill Sobule. Jill’s music is kinda rock, kinda folk. She had a small guitar-like thing she had hooked up to an amp, and she sang songs and then Julia would come up and tell hysterical stories about family, love, and the fun and painful things in life. The audience was roaring with laughter and we were eating out of the palms of Jill and Julia’s hands. It was the best evening I’ve had in months.
So there you go, Day One. And I didn’t even talk about everything! But I think I’ve dropped sufficient names and been sufficiently geeky for now. It’s 01:00 as I write this, and I’m up early to have breakfast with my old bud Paul Harris, and then give my talk, and then off to The Slammer.
Man oh man. What did I do to deserve this? Surely, these are the best of times.
January 20th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Sounds like you’re really suffering a boring conference there.
Is the Hyneman there?
January 20th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Shame on you for all that name dropping
I thought that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Well…maybe he isn’t telling us everything.
January 20th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Aarrgghh! If it wasn’t for the fact I’ll be at a wedding today, I’d be there too.
Damn you Phil for rubbing my nose in it.
and Tim G – I spent a bit of time with Phil at TAM4 and believe me, knowing him, there’s an AWFUL LOT he’s not saying… I wouldn’t put it past him that he already knows where the skepchick pajama party is being held at…
January 20th, 2007 at 3:52 am
have fun at the slammer! i’m a regular listener (and emailer) to penn’s show – and i’ve dropped your name to them on more than one occasion.
the funny thing is, as much as i like the show live, since listeners can email/call in with responses to what’s being talked about, i can’t wait for penn and goudeau to take their next vacation so we can hear the interviews taped at tam 5!
maybe one of these years i’ll be able to make it to tam – that is, if they’ll let a skeptical christian through the front door…:)
January 20th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Aha … one of my favorite short stories … “Arena” by Fredrick Brown … a quick google suggests that the Star Trek episode was not actually based on it, but was adapted after their research department noted the similarity. I think that is BS but that is their story and they are sticking to it (and what does that evoke?)
Glad you are having fun, BA … it’s pretty certain that these folks are more fun than the science haters.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:28 am
I saw Randi on Anderson Cooper last night, talking about the “psychics.’ Very good stuff.
January 20th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Very cool, Phil!
The mention of Pen and Teller reminded me of a video I saw on YouTube where they debunk the moon hoax in a rather coarse way, and where you were in it. Is it true that you can stand still for a long time?
January 20th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I loved the star trek experience. there was never anyone in line for the ride so we wnt several times, but I spent time in line anyway looking over all the stuf there ment to keep you busy while waiting in line. Quarks is great!!! We even did the picture thing there. as soon as I get my kids room done we plan to decorate a room with trek stuff. It sounds like a lot of fun to go to a TAM. Mythbusters is one of my favorite shows. while its great to read about this stuff I would sure love to attend, even once.
January 20th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Penn, the penultimate hippy, magician, iconoclast. What a rationalist,,,
SO, to get to hang out with really interesting folk, all you have to do is be REAL?
What a great idea.
I’m so jealous!!! Or is this just Penn envy?
Gary 7
January 20th, 2007 at 10:20 am
That small guitar-like thing that Jill Sobule plays?
Its called a guitar.
I saw her perform in September with Cyndi Lauper. I had no idea she did work with JREF! I already was a fan of hers, now I’m an even bigger fan!
January 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
More like up-and-coming-back! I, for one, am excited to hear it. Ah, memories of Lilith Fairs back in high school…
January 20th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Is there any truth to the rumor that you and Adam have been switching glasses all weekend and giving prizes to the fans that spot the fakery?:D
January 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Phil,
Ask Adam Savage if they’re ever going to do a HD version of Mythbusters. I’d imagine some of the explosions would look awesome in HD.
January 20th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for the update and pix, Phil. Keep us posted. This is the first year I couldn’t make it, so I appreciate your coverage.
Tell Randi I said, “Hello”.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
That’s it, I’m going to TAM6 next year.
January 20th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I love Penn’s radio show! Maybe I’ll make it to the meeting next year – damn classes. I can’t take ALL of January off anymore.
Hope you’re feeling better, at least.
January 20th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Warp core dump, and that picture of the Klingon squatting-ship….. man, I giggled for five straight minutes on that, and I’m not even a big Star Trek fan! My friends are gonna look at me funny when I start giggling at odd, random times during lunch tomorrow.
January 20th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Oh, this is funny. If you haven’t seen it, PZ posted a picture of Phil carrying out his end of the bargain regarding the Weblog contest: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/01/preach_it_phil.php
E pur si muove! Gotta hand it to Phil on that one. ((-8
January 20th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Had a chance to meet Phil and get his book signed today at TAM. Great guy, funny presentation. Been blogging the conference myself over at The Atheist Experience. It’s been awesome. If any of you ever find it in your budget to go, go!
January 20th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Give yourself three points if you know that was a Gorn. Ah, but who wrote the original story? It’s one of my favorite stories, and by a favorite author. Get them both right for ten (non-redeemable) points.
Arena, by Frederic Brown.
January 20th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Woo-hoo! I’m finally able to post again!
January 21st, 2007 at 12:33 am
Sigh…
I’m wearing my TAM2 T-shirt as I type this.
Yes, I flew all the way over from Australia to LV for TAM2, and loved every minute of it, including a few unscheduled events afterwards (and also a visit to JSC in Houston).
Say g’day to the Aussies there for me!
Cheers
Peter
January 21st, 2007 at 7:09 am
You’re having breakfast with Paul Harris, as in the magician Paul Harris? If you are, I’m going to be insanely jealous. If not…well, I’m sure this Paul Harris is a great guy, too.
January 21st, 2007 at 9:37 am
Frauds and psychics same thing? Not quite: every psychic is a fraud, but not every fraud is a psychic. Wait a minute; none of the frauds are psychic, because they are frauds. But this seems to contradict with “every psychic is a fraud”. How do we get out of this?! By setting the number of psychic to zero. Phew.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:38 am
Arena by Fredric Brown – note the spelling of his name! He was very fussy about it apparently. Great short story writer, and I mean short! Some of them are only a paragraph or two long. “Answer” is my favourite of his, about the ultimate computer.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:39 am
(Do I get extra points for being the only person so far who spelt his name right?)
January 21st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
To Marko: He He
January 21st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I could kick myself. We checked out of the Vegas Hilton on Friday without considering what was coming.
Randi looked great on CNN the other night!! He came across as clear and competent.
January 21st, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Frederic, Fredric… D’OH!
January 21st, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Come on Phil, Jill Sobule up and coming? You should watch a little less star trek and listen to some music
From the (infallable Wikipedia)
History
She released her debut album, Things Here Are Different, in 1990. Over the next sixteen years, she would go on to record five more records, three EPs and a greatest hits compilation. Though her albums are often critically acclaimed, Sobule remains more of an underground artist, playing for fans across the United States in smaller, more personal settings.
In 2000, Sobule joined Lloyd Cole’s short-lived band The Negatives.
In late 2003, Sobule joined the “Tell Us the Truth” tour, an anti-war, anti-Bush administration collaboration with Billy Bragg, Tom Morello (as The Nightwatchman), Mike Mills, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Earle, and Boots Riley.
In 2004, she played one of the five leads in the film Mind The Gap.
In recent public appearances, Sobule has expressed interest in compiling a live album, in addition to releasing a new studio disc.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 am
I’m sure I spotted Randi playing one of the Whos (of Whoville) standing around singing Christmas songs after the Grinch had stolen everyting…
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:29 am
Phil,
Thanks for a great presentation at TAM. I really enjoyed your discussion of the moon hoax conspiracy theories; not a subject that I know a lot about, but I found your presentation both entertaining and informative. Looking forward to seeing you again next year.
James Dillon
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:02 am
What happened to Penn? He’s starting to look like Harry Knowles.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:27 am
By the way, Phil, watch out with that Gorn pic… what’s-her-name will use Photoshop to prove that the Gorn is actually you in your “true appearance” or something.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:58 am
The best part of this article…
You used “frakkin’.”
So say we all.
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:08 am
[...] For actual descriptions of what happened, visit Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy blog (Parts 1 and 2 are currently up). [...]
January 24th, 2007 at 6:48 am
Ahem. And with whom did you go to the Star Trek bar??? Drop my name, bastard.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
test?
January 24th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Rebecca is delusional. It must have been the emergency holographic astronomer with her that night.
“Please state the nature of your astronomical emergency.”
January 25th, 2007 at 6:08 am
You are so bad! Phil is just another smart, red-headed, folliclelyy-challenged brilliant geeki Star Trek fan scientist ::yawn:: (My book hasn’t melted yet, thank you very much)
January 25th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Ironically, the reason my girlfriend and I couldn’t make it… is that she’s too busy working on her PhD “Official Science Stuff”. Next time, for sure.
January 25th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
TAM5 was a blast-as always- and I really do feel bad about not buying your book sooner. But hey, I just wanted to make sure it “has legs” as they say. (Yep, it does!)
January 26th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Haha… warp core dump. I LOVE bad puns! Tell me again about Ampere’s birthday being a “current event”.
January 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Hey, you say “frakkin” too! I really wish I hadn’t missed out on all the fun, but I’m actually doing something important nowadays. Just really glad to see the pictures and rundown.
Many thanks from a fan and fellow skeptic.