Day 1:
Today is the first full day of The Amazing Cruise, and it’s already been great!
When we got to the ship last night, it was pretty easy to find it:
Yikes! It’s huge; almost 1000 feet long, and draughts displaces 91,000 tons. There are over 2000 people on board, including 90 or so skeptics. We’re just now entering the Inside Passage, a long strait lined with majestic mountains. The weather is a bit grim, but it provides for dramatic imagery:
As far as the skeptical gathering goes, we had an informal gathering last night with drinks and chat, and then dinner. Each Celebrity Guest Speaker TM sat at a different table, and I suppose we were the featured entertainment. It was a lot of fun! I knew most of the folks at my table through Randi’s bulletin board, so we had a good time. Randi has a mascot, Pigasus, a flying pig… because pseudoscience will be true when pigs fly. To that effect, I gave him a toy I bought back home: a hand-held catapult that shoots little plastic pigs:
Today started with some Q&A with Randi his own self, and he told stories about him and Alice Cooper (yes, Alice Cooper), Woody Allen, Richard Feynman, and many others. As usual Randi was vastly entertaining to listen to. His history is in many ways a history of the skeptical movement, and I always appreciate any insights into that I can get from him.
Next up was Richard Saunders, my good friend from Australia, who spoke about the skeptical movement in Oz. The audience ate it up, and not just because he talks funny. He is a true gentleman and a model of how to be a critical thinker in a world immersed in bad thinking. His step-by-step explanation of a series of "haunted" places in an Australian school was fantastic: weird lights turned out to be reflections; creaking floorboards in an empty room turned out to be someone walking in the next room over — the boards go under the wall adjoining the rooms, so someone walking over there would make the floor squeak over here; a staircase making your legs feel heavy was just a plain old staircase with an added dose of suggestion: who’s not tired after climbing a flight of stairs?.
After lunch, we had a panel consisting of Richard, Rebecca from Skepchick, Randi, me, and Hal Bidlack, who is a friend and a part of the JREF organization. We had a lot of Q&A with the crowd, and as usual (and how else can I describe it?) it was fun. We had questions on magic, art, the Big Bang, skepticism in general, and how to support it. I’m not sure I can do any of the answers real justice, to be honest: everyone had great things to say.
I was particularly taken with a question on how to get skeptics together locally and how to support such a thing. Rebecca and Richard talked about making it a social event, which I wholly support. Meet at pubs, meet at the movies and then go out afterwards, meet at the pool hall. If it’s fun, more people are likely to come. Randi talked about calling the local media and getting them to know who you are, and volunteering to talk on air or be quoted about any topics that might need a modicum of critical thought (you can look up journalists who report on such things). I talked about supporting local skepticism by tying it in with the local population. If you live in a place where "alternative" medicine is rampant (like Boulder, say) then focus on that. Or maybe there are dowsers in your neighborhood. Whatever! But find that focus, research it, and get the local media to talk to you. You get attention that way, and more people. Hal talked about Skepticamp, a place where people can get together and give talks about their own efforts in promoting critical thinking.
And we all agreed: above all, be friendly, be warm, be courteous. Skeptics are not all dour, sour, jerks. And I can prove it!
See? We’re human, we have feelings, and we care. Amazing, isn’t it?
My internet connection is spotty, and the schedule is packed, but I’ll post more when I can. Stay tuned!
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I’d like to offer a positive comment, but I’m afraid I’m too damn jealous right now.
All I can say is, thanks for sparing us any “Love Boat” references and keep those sea tales a-comin’.
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Wow Phil, you get all the fun! Last ship I was on that was 1000 feet long had an airport on it.
Anyway, keep on with the updates. And, if you can, give Randi and the rest our best!
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I envy you!
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:41 pm
So cool.
And you are very right about local Skeptic organizations. I’m trying to start one up at my university by myself, though I can honestly attribute my failure to not putting up enough damn flyers. I know the science department is a sure-thing though and at least there is some proximity to local skeptics Derek and Swoopy at Skepticality.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Fresh Air with Terry Gross ran an archival interview with Alice Cooper. He gives a pretty nice interview. He didn’t keep his enormous ego fully contained, but you don’t do what he does without an ego. He mentioned getting assistance from “The Great Randi” on his guillotine stunt. No doubt Randi had other pointers for the young Alice, too.
Thanks for the post! Keep ‘em coming for those of us toiling away on land.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I gave my wife a variant of the pig-gun; one which propels little cats, and is called a “Cat-A-Pult”. I picked it up for her at the World’s Largest Gift Shop, in Vegas.
For myself I picked up the “Einstein Action Figure”, prepared with a stick of chalk for any academic contingency.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Speaking of starting local skeptical events at pubs and the like, I encourage everyone to check out http://www.drinkingskeptically.org. There are already events in New York City and Denver, and soon to be LA. We’re always looking for folks to host (or co-host) their own Drinking Skeptically events!
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Thanks to Hal, the score for TAA plugs is…
Skepticamp: 1
Drinking Skeptically: 0
Win!
(Actually, I just may be involved with both. :^)
September 4th, 2007 at 12:55 am
What an amazing ship! (Aesthetically beautiful too.)
September 4th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Sounds awesome! And that’s REALLY an intimidating ship…
I wish I would’ve been there, but it’s a bit costly for a young just-out-of-college girl like me.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:53 am
I want one shot. Just one is all I ask. One shot of Randi leaning over the rail in the classic “Titanic” pose… “I’m king of the Woo-Woo rld!”
And yes, I too am very jealous.
-OEJ
September 4th, 2007 at 6:19 am
“I was particularly taken with a question on how to get skeptics together locally and how to support such a thing.”
You mean, kinda like a church? (Sorry, couldn’t resist…) Enjoy yourself, and don’t spew Pepsi all over the place while reading the comments on your Colbert call-out.
September 4th, 2007 at 7:06 am
“I want one shot. Just one is all I ask. One shot of Randi leaning over the rail in the classic “Titanic†pose… “I’m king of the Woo-Woo rld!—
Ditto on that!
September 4th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Be sure to meet other skeptics somewhere with air hockey tables! Everybody loves air hockey! By the way, BA, have you heard this song? It’s stuck in my head: http://www.desertturtle.com/SpaceShipOne-Song.html
September 4th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I’m sure you don’t mind a little constructive criticism: your ship *displaces* 91,000 tons; a ship doesn’t draught anything. (It might *have a draft* of about 20 feet, in which case you say it *draws* 20 feet.)
September 4th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Let’s see, 1000 feet long, 91000 tons,mumble, mumble,,,I think all we’d need would be a Bussard Fusion reactor of 140 mega watts to launch that sucker into orbit,,,Then what a wonderful party that could be.
Oops, forgot about there being no atmosphere. Ah well, it was a good idea anyway.
So, do you get to see any killer whales or such like?
About a decade ago, I watched seals chase salmon ashore just north of the Russian River on the Calif. Coast. That was quite a sight and the Salmon was delicious.
So, how much does a berth aboard such a cool vessel cost these days? Just wondering if it would be an attainable vacation for a retiree.
GAry 7
September 4th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Gary,
I know you’re just joking off the cuff, but that prompts me to calculate that it’d take power > 3.9 gigawatts to sustain an acceleration radially away from Earth (for a ship of that tonnage). That’s like the combined output of several typical domestic fission reactors. This sounds like a job for Project Orion.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am
So, how much does a berth aboard such a cool vessel cost these days? Just wondering if it would be an attainable vacation for a retiree.
Depends on the cruise line and the cabin you wish to be in, but figure on something like $1000 – $10000 per person, not counting air fare to/from the departure point.
On some cruise lines, if you book early, you can basically book a bilge level cabin at the bilge level price, and be bumped up to better cabins at no extra charge as later and later bookings request the cheaper cabins. That can save a bundle but you have to plan far in advance.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I know you’re just joking off the cuff, but that prompts me to calculate that it’d take power > 3.9 gigawatts to sustain an acceleration radially away from Earth (for a ship of that tonnage). That’s like the combined output of several typical domestic fission reactors. This sounds like a job for Project Orion.
Nuh uh… 1000 yogic flyers bouncing on their butts can harness their positive vibrations to yogically bounce the ship right off the face of the earth.
Alternately, 1000 devotees praying to their invisible sky-man can have Him will the ship off the planet for no energy.
Another way would be to get everyone in China to jump up and down simultaneously. The resulting seismic shock would bounce the ship to the moon.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Phil, while you’re cruising Glacier Bay and find time on your hands, you might check out “The Only Kayak” by Kim Heacox. Should be available in the ship’s library.
Thought-provoking though a bit timid when it comes to suggesting root cause.
http://www.amazon.com/Only-Kayak-Journey-Heart-Alaska/dp/1592288944/ref=sr_1_1/105-9762753-8142051?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188926213&sr=1-1 .
September 4th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Bah. So jealous! My friends and I are all broke-ass 20-somethings, so we can never manage to go to any of these events (least of all, ones like this!) Maybe we’ll save up enough pennies one of these… years…
I wonder if the costs involved with these big events are part of the reason people don’t often realize there are so many of us young’uns. It would DEFINITELY be great to see more things happening locally. Bus fare… that’s something I could potentially afford. Unfortunately, I’m not much of an organizer.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Cool. Just this thing, though… I’M a sour, dour jerk! ;P
September 4th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I hope you get to go to Sitka (where I live) but only about 10-15% of the cruise ships get here. This is where all the Alaska history is located so I am always sad about how many miss us! Have a wonderful time! And for every envious person it really is less expensive than you think it might be to cruise. Remember, all your meals are included in that price and the only additional cost will be of your own choosing: shore excursions, liquor, etc. Cruise on!!
September 4th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Wow, your stop signs are just like ours!
September 4th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Well, seeing as how you have access to all these bright minds, you might find it fun to have them consider this:
A long time ago, in a place called “The Canadian Communications Research Centre’, where I worked as a writer, editor, liaison with NASA, coordinator of inter government meetings and design reviews – and so, a general factotum, I was asked what I considered to be the ideal flight crew for a long duration mission to Mars.
After reflection, allowing others smarter than me to express their views on the matter, I suggested they should select the crew from among Trappist monks. Monks tend to be very erudite, adaptable and have a great thirst for knowledge. Especially, they have learned patience in putting up with the irritations of living in community without putting their desires for murder and mayhem into practice.
As they are eminently educable, they could easily pick up all the knowledge and skills such a voyage would be needed of them. Their common language, whether Latin or Greek would help to avoid emotional assesments of technical problems, and their discipline of silence would be ideal in fostering cooperative living.
If they should die owing to technical failure, then their deaths would
serene, though perhaps not without a yelp or two.
I confess the idea is not mine alone, as I had read “A Canticle for Leibowitz” around the time of this discussion.
Objections raised: The spacecraft would need to incorporate a chapel; Mass wine for a two and half to three year trip would have to be added to the vittles, thus adding weight. As all communication would be in one sacred language or another, reports would need to be translated for the engineers on the ground who are, as everyone knows, incapable of learning a second language unless it happens to be acronyms. Upon their return, it would be impossible for the President of the United States to decorate them and have them to supper at the White House.
Still, it’s a thought, and a darn sight better than selecting boys and girls for the trip… speaking for myself, I’d murder the first one to use hair spray – with my bare hands.
What do you think ?
Cordially,
Paul Fournier
September 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
man, I’m homesick,
I used to live in Sitka and Juneau – I *really* miss the old splashing grounds.
I do have a suggestion for those of you who really want to see the area. Skip the cruise ship. Book a ride on the Alaska Marine Highway. It’s a lot cheaper, and, in my experience, you see a heck of a lot more.
Not as much as from a 180 ft Buoy Tender, and I was PAID for that! But still, it’s a hell of a trip and worth every penny. (last time I looked, you could stagger your trip – ferry to Ketchikan, for instance – fool around there.. catch the next ferry north to.. oh.. Juneau… take a few days to do the local ferry/tour ships, etc)
I wonder if Rosie’s is still in Pelican…
Phil – as you cruise past the northern tip of Admiralty Island, pay attention to the lighthouse. I’m negotiating (ok begging) with the Coast Guard to let me retire there.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I hope you get to go to Sitka (where I live) but only about 10-15% of the cruise ships get here.
The cruise I was on visited Sitka. In all my cephalopodic glory, I ran about the town.
Actually, I mostly visited the bird rehabilitation centre, an inhabitant of which you can see here.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
MArk MArtin: 3.9 gigaWatts is about what Orion could output. I was actually thinking of the EIC Boron11/Proton cycle proposed by Bussard. He estimated that 95% of the power generated would be in alpha particles, which could be used to generate electricity directly. I just used the 140Mw number because it’s the typical power output of a nuc. sub fission reactor. I expect Bussards reactor design could be upscaled significantly, though with 5% of its energy production being thermal, that’s still a lot of heat. In Bussards design proposal, using the EIC reactor design and a Boron /proton cycle, the residual thermal energy is used to preheat the reactant. Further acceleration of that reactant mass was electrically induced. At the 57th International Astronautical Congress, Bussard presented a 30 page paper describing Superperformance space power and propulsion, using the EIC reactor. Cool paper,,,
Squid: $1000 I could handle,,,$10,000,,,NOT! Thanks for the input, though. Gives me something to dream about.
GAry 7
September 4th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Thanks Gary; that’s interesting, to say the least.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Paul Fournier, you consider Trappists “the ideal flight crew for a long duration mission to Mars”?
1. This seems awfully Trollish.
2. These are they.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
It looks like you had a lot of fun
September 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Did you see the eyesplices on those mooring lines?
Oh, hope you enjoyed the cruise…