So earlier today I wrote about Skeptologists, which I’m doing next week.
Step 2 in The Plot To Grind Phil Into Dust is the Conference on World Affairs. This annual conference is held in Boulder, this year from April 7 – 11, and is really something extraordinary. Committees covering various topics — science, politics, music, and so on — choose people from all over the world to come to Boulder and spend a week sitting on panels talking over issues of the day. That may sound a little dull, but it’s anything but. The speakers are at the top of their game, chosen for expertise, breadth of knowledge, and really their wow-factor. An expert who is dull as a bowling ball won’t get invited, typically.
What you end up with are about 100 vivacious, interesting, smart people, all in one place. It’s incredible.
I am on the science committee, so I was able to invite some folks I know, including James Randi, Alex Filippenko, and Brian Cox (though Brian may not be able to come due to issues I’ll be posting about later; we’re working on that). But the list of others coming includes other luminaries like my buddies Andy Ihnatko and Seth Shostak, and (squee! squee!) Rachel Maddow. The complete list of panelists is on the CWA site.
It’s a solid week of hanging out with smart people, which is one of my all-time favorite things to do. If you live anywhere near Boulder, then this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Next, Step 3: Texas and the UK. Posts about those coming soon.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I just looked over the schedule, and this looks totally awesome. Being in Boulder, I have no excuse not to attend, except…I have to work that week. Why, why, why is there nothing at all on the weekend?
March 27th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Phil,
Yep, WAC was one of my favorites when I was “in residence” at CU. Some amazing people come through those conferences. Maybe someday when I’m famous, I’ll get invited to be a panelist…
Knock ‘em dead, Phil! It’s a great venue and a great place to be.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Ian, said
Why, why, why is there nothing at all on the weekend?
Because even smart people like to get drunk.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
> What you end up with are about 100 vivacious, interesting, smart people, all in one place. It’s incredible.
Sounds like a good party. What accomplishments can the prior years’ meetings brag about?
March 27th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Did Brian get swallowed by a nano-black-hole?! D:
Have fun! ^_^
March 27th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I hope to get up to Boulder at least for a day that week.
March 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Grind Phil Into Dust
That is indeed the fate of asteroids.
“All events are free and open to the public” – wow. At first I assumed it was invitation-only, despite your ‘don’t want to miss’ comment, on the grounds that any interesting event would take steps to exclude people like me. Sorta like Groucho Marx.
March 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
> Next, Step 3: Texas and the Britland. Posts about those coming soon.
DO IT. I’LL BE THERE.
Bob(FullHeight)
March 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Vivacious? That’s creatures capable of giving live birth, right? Oh wait, never mind..
Looks great though, but embarresingly even from nearby Kansas, I have no time or resources. I guess rocking out like that will have to wait until the kids are grown.
March 27th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Phil,
Thanks for letting us know about Rachel Maddow. I agree that she’s totally awesome. After Alan’s untimely departure from NASA HQ, now I have something to look forward to.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
“Next, Step 3: Texas and the UK.”
I haven’t been paying a lot of attention lately, but I thought the UK was riding much higher in the drain vortex than the US.
Sure, the UK has its fairy stones and other charming, if wrong, stories, but I thought the UK was less religiously dogmatic than most of the US and MUCH less doomed than Texas. Am I missing something?
March 27th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Blizno: Yes, you are.
Stay tuned; I’ll have more tomorrow.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Texan & UK…. what about Canada? Hmmmmph! We feel so left out. Don’t be afraid of us! We don’t all live in igloo’s! Phil, we Canuck’s would love it if you came to Vancouver!
March 28th, 2008 at 4:14 am
“Next, Step 3: Texas and the UK. Posts about those coming soon.”
My breath is bated in anticipation!!
March 29th, 2008 at 4:47 am
# Vagueofgodalming on 27 Mar 2008 at 4:21 pm
[quote] “Grind Phil Into Dust
That is indeed the fate of asteroids.” [Unquote]
Phil’s an asteroid? Huh?
———————-
How do you do “quotes” here?
March 29th, 2008 at 4:57 am
“Step 2 in The Plot To Grind Phil Into Dust is the Conference on World Affairs. …. ”
NOOOOOO! Run Phil! Don’t go its a plot to get you! They’ll grind you into dust stay away! Stay away! Run for your life!
Hmm … Pretty … er ..NOT well concealed plot there if you’re blogging all about it. But then I wouldn’t do that because it shows you’re aware of their evil scheme & if you don’t let them know that you know then you can ambush them and turn the tables but now you’ve told them so they know that you know and so …
“But the list of others coming includes other luminaries like my buddies Andy Ihnatko and Seth Shostak, and (squee! squee!) Rachel Maddow.”
Uh, Phil, I think you’ve been interupted by a pig or something! Whats with this “Squee!” business?
Or is that her official first name : ie. Ms (Squee! squee!) Rachel Maddow
& if so how do you prounounce the brackets?
I know that ! = tongue click in the San {African “bushman” peoples} language.
——————————–
Have fun!
Ok enough silliness now?
March 29th, 2008 at 5:02 am
# Michael Lonergan on 27 Mar 2008 at 10:58 pm :
“Texan & UK…. what about Canada? Hmmmmph! We feel so left out. Don’t be afraid of us! We don’t all live in igloo’s! Phil, we Canuck’s would love it if you came to Vancouver!”
& Australia! Don’t forget the land of Oz – & great beers BA!
Any plans for a trip “down under” – or rather “up over” as its your hemisphere that’s really upside down!
Well from where I sit anyway .. s’all relative & there are no ups & downs in space.
March 29th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Hey, Nigel Depledge, & y’all :
Did you hear about the guy witha mouthfull of stryicknine? (speelings awful I know!)
His breath was baited!
Sorry, couldn’t resist!
—————————
on 28 Mar 2008 at 4:14 am
“Next, Step 3: Texas and the UK. Posts about those coming soon.”
My breath is bated in anticipation!!