Comments on: TAM 6. Best. Ever.

By: TAM: London announced | wongaBlog

TAM: London announced | wongaBlog — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:28:41 +0000

[...] For the last few years I have gazed with envy, resentment and not a little drooiling at the annual bout of skeptical awesomeocity that goes down each summer in Las Vegas. The Amazing Meeting (henceforth known as TAM: Vegas, just because it then sounds like CSI and is therefore made of win) brings together many of the world’s most interesting skeptical thinkers for a few days of lectures, comedy, magic, skeptical-guard-down chitchat, and general madness. [...]

By: Comic Con Day 2 | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

Comic Con Day 2 | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:19:08 +0000

[...] we just got out of the panel for The Big Bang Theory, moderated by Adam Savage. Adam is made of awesome from top to bottom, and did a great job coming up with clever questions [...]

By: Not the official post about TAM6 « Skeptopia

Not the official post about TAM6 « Skeptopia — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:52 +0000

[...] did I mention that I’m a cover girl (hint : 2009 back cover)? It was a little weird having Phil Plait chase me down to get me to sign his copy of my picture. And by weird, I mean awesome. I have no [...]

By: drzzzs

drzzzs — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:30:34 +0000

Agree it was an awesome meeting!!

While there, I did not realize that the “other side” of TAM 6 was so crowded. It could explain the the chill I felt while at the Flamingo – maybe it was not the aggressive air-conditioning

(found via Google)

Million Ghost March On For This Weekend

by Dean Terry
The Million Ghost March is set to take place this weekend, June 19-22, 2008 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clairvoyants, mediums and psychics worldwide have been invited to contact spirits. The Million Ghost March is being held in protest of an annual Skeptics Convention taking place there.

“For too long, paranormal skeptics have mocked people with a curiosity about ghosts, spirits and the afterlife. The Million Ghost March was conceived as an opportunity to turn the tables on these unimaginative naysayers,” said Peter Fenton, organizer of the massive effort. Called the Amazing Meeting 6, the Skeptics Convention is organized by magician The Amazing Randi and will feature guest speakers including a cast member of the Mythbusters, magicians Penn & Teller and cable news pundit Christopher Hutchins.

To protest this annual gathering of professional non-believers, volunteer clairvoyants and psychic mediums are inviting deceased spirits and ghosts to haunt Las Vegas in an unprecedented Million Ghost March.

Many celebrity spirits are expected to join the march. Celebrity ghosts including gangster Bugsy Siegel, entertainers George Jessel, Liberace and Tupac Shakur, the legendary Rat Pack and journalist Hunter S. Thompson are all expected to be there.

For more information on this event, contact: Peter Fenton 541-686-5630 askdocparanormal@gmail.com or go to Peter Fenton’s blog Ask Doc Paranormal.

By: Lee Graham

Lee Graham — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:24:43 +0000

This was my second TAM. Both were an absolute blast! Your talk was awe-inspiring, Phil.

By: Normal Dude

Normal Dude — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:25:01 +0000

I went to TAM 6 and it was fantastic. Best vacation ever. I even got a picture and signature from Phil.

If you haven’t been, you need to go.

By: Kitty

Kitty — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:50:56 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_71w093cflg

sorry the video will make you kind of seasick…and I ran out of memory space before Randi could talk!!!

By: Big Frankie C

Big Frankie C — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:42:09 +0000

This was my first TAM as well… I am usually immune to fan-boy syndrome. I’m a life-long metalhead, and I have met Th guys in Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, Anthrax, Danzig, and several other people I rock out to very day, and I had no problem talking to them. Then I get to TAM… I ride on an elevator for 13 floors with Dr Tyson, and can’t say a word, after very briefly saying hi to Phil in the hallway, I take 2 days to chat with him, and all I can do is mention Thundarr the Barbarian (as it related to Planet-X silliness). Although I did chat with a bunch of really cool people, and had a fantastic time. I already started my TAM7 fund with the money I had left over from this one.

Words and stuff,
Big Frankie

By: MO Man

MO Man — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:35:02 +0000

I’ve attended two TAM’s but now that I am collecting that old SS, the cost, especially if I bring the wife who wants to come just as much as I do, is way too high. Has anyone thought about holding it on the East Coast in odd years so that some of us could drive to it? I really, really want to attend one more just to see Hal Bidlack while he is still a kid. Oh, sure, the other guys are OK, too.

By: IBY

IBY — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:48:16 +0000

Im so jealous, I want to be there! >_< And Phil, skepticism was introduced to me by you, and in turn, many of my world views changed, so thanks!

By: Jewel

Jewel — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:42:45 +0000

It was my first TAM and it was truly amazing! My husband and I had a fantastic time. We’re still processing it all. It was great to see you again Phil!

By: sudopod

sudopod — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:52:17 +0000

I’m one of those people you introduced to skepticism. Bad Astronomy was pretty much the first thing thing I cared about on the net when I was introduced to the intarwebs back around 1998.

I was drawn in by the bad movie reviews and stayed for everything else. I lol’d heartily.

Thanks for all of the hard work!

By: carr2d2

carr2d2 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:44:36 +0000

what everyone else said.

and cj: you will always have the honor of being my first minion. you rawk.

and quit talking about doctor who! i have “turn left” on my computer, but am really really trying not to watch it until my tim3po gets home on thursday.

By: Ade

Ade — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:43:00 +0000

Sounds fun, but Vegas is rather a long way from London.

By: Peter B

Peter B — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:40:44 +0000

Aaaaagh! I was SO going to go.

You see, the week after TAM 6 is the World Archaeological Congress 6, in Ireland, and I was going to give a talk there about pseudo-archaeology. It would have been a wonderful trip around the world with my wife and son – TAM, WAC and a bit of European sightseeing.

We’d just got our son’s passport, I’d paid for WAC…

…and then I came down seriously sick, with six weeks in hospital. So no TAM, no WAC, and no European sightseeing.

*sigh*

I just hope the next WAC aligns so well with another TAM…

By: JKH

JKH — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:59:21 +0000

What a fantastic event!

Every year I intend to get there. Every year something impedes me.

It is roaring up my list of things I must do before I die. GOT TO GET TO A DAMN TAM!!!

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:56:43 +0000

I was one of the MANY first TAMers there and I absolutely LOVED every minute of it. I didn’t get my BA book signed because I bought it on the third day, and all throughout the third day I was too busy finding skepchicks to sign my calendar to do anything productive (although I did get my Wiseman spoon signed by Banachek, how cool is that!). I will find you next year to get you to sign both of your books that I’ll have by then.

A friend I met at TAM took this picture and I’m using this quote you had when I think of a good idea to get myself into the skepdude calendar.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/sgerbic/SGBvwp20BgI/AAAAAAAACOI/RX9vEn8ZVlg/IMG_7907.jpg?imgmax=912

I looking forward to TAM 7.

By: PhantomPhoton

PhantomPhoton — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:33:26 +0000

“Speaking of which, there were lots of young women attending, which was fantastic. It’s good to see more women getting into skepticism.”

Say no more, I’m there!
A handsome young geek guy needs no further reasons to go. :p Oh and I don’t mind an overabundance of redheaded ladies either.
But anyway on a more serious note, I’ll look into TAM next year. This sounds like it is right up my alley.

By: Lola

Lola — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:46:26 +0000

Hola! Awesome seeing you again this year – yes, us gingers are indeed taking over. I wonder if there’s something about red hair which predisposes one to being a skeptic? I can’t wait until next year’s TAM, they just keep getting better.

-Lola (Jas)

By: JC in Seattle

JC in Seattle — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:44:35 +0000

Phil,

It was a pleasure meeting you at TAM6. It is so encouraging to meet somebody who has successfully taken the baton from Carl and run with it so well. You demonstrate drive, charisma, and passion in the field of natural science. I trust that you will draw many others into our camp. Keep doing what you are doing, you are a success.

Jonathan Christian
Seattle, WA

By: shane

shane — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:41:36 +0000

Minties eh. They’re ok I guess but they’re not Violet Crumbles. Try and get some of your other Aussie friends to bring some Violet Crumbles over to you next time you see them.

By: Danny Schade

Danny Schade — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:35:26 +0000

Awww Phil, you’re getting me all choked up too!

Reading this entry today has warmed my heart even more. I’ve been tap-dancing on freaking clouds since I left TAM, because of all the fun I had and people I met.

I loved how you responded to the indecent roasting, both to the crowd and to me, later. hee hee. And don’t worry, I won’t say bad words on this comment.

Thanks, Phil!

By: Grand Lunar

Grand Lunar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:21:15 +0000

I am very much down that I was unable to attend TAM 6!
It sounds like there was so much fun.

I would’ve loved to see Randi, Adam Savage, and Neil Tyson (and the rest, including you Phil!) in person.

What’s worse for me is that I’ll probably not even be able to attend next years, or maybe the year after that!
I don’t know IF I’ll be able to attend a TAM meeting.

But enough about me.

These meetings do show that skepticism is popular, that critical thinking can yield big results, and that science is cool.

I hold these meetings far in awe over any political campaigns.

By: Ragutis

Ragutis — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:56:47 +0000

Ack! I did my strike tags wrong. I was trying to strike fantastic. ~~let’s see~~ if they work now.

By: Ragutis

Ragutis — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:52:17 +0000

Damn. Damn damn damn damn damn. Damn.

OK, next year, I’m going. Seriously. I’ve had it up to here reading about how fantastic amazing these are year after year and never making getting to one a priority. And redheads? That does it! Committing myself now and starting a TAM 7 fund.

Thanks for the summary. Now catch up on your Doctor Who. Turn Left was a much better episode than I expected and the ending is begging for you to make a post.