Thursday, June 17, 2010

Skepticon 3


It's official. And it's awesome! Skepticon 3 will take place at MSU (in Springfield, Missouri) from Friday to Sunday this November 19th to 21st (2010). Brought to you by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For all possible details see their official website Skepticon.org (which will be updated with more details over time as everything gets finalized).

For how amazing the last was, see my blog on Skepticon 2. In fact it was even more amazing than that. Video from last year is available from Hambone Productions (see the Skepticon playlist). Every talk rocked. And that's rare. But the best part was getting to drink and party (and sometimes karaoke) with the speakers each night. Just don't be a douche and you'll be welcome. So far, praise be, no douches. Everyone I hung with last year was way cool. Lots of fans came up to say hi, buy me a drink, chat and query, laugh and joke. Groovy times.

This year it will be literally amazing. For The Amazing Randi is one of the speakers. Altogether there are fourteen this year, adding a whole extra day of jamboree. And Rebecca's challenge was met: three women will be speaking this time, instead of lonely one. Rebecca Watson herself, of course, reprising her role as number one skepticon babe. Plus, feminist political blogger Amanda Marcotte and CFI's campus organizer Debbie Goddard. Returning among the guys are the famous Dan Barker, paranormal expert Joe Nickell, renowned freethought podcaster D.J. Grothe, theoretical physicist Victor Stenger, plus His Lord and Master of Skepticon himself, J.T. Eberhard...and the two of us who began it all: PZ Myers, and, yes, Richard Carrier (I'll be giving a totally new, wildly shocking, fact-filled talk Are Christians Delusional?). New guys this year: The Gay Moralist himself, John Corvino, professor of philosophy and expert on ethics and gay rights; my personal friend and godless media activist David Fitzgerald (I had nothing to do with his getting on the slate...I learned of it after the fact! Yes, he has that big of a rep...he didn't even need me to drop his name); and the godlessly humorous Brother Sam Singleton. For more about all these speakers see the Skepticon Speakers List.
 
As with all previous Skepticons, this one is completely free. You won't get an incredible event like this for free anywhere. Which is why they have costs and need donations. They are building a war chest already, but any little bit can help. If you want to support free godless conferences with an amazing slate of speakers in the heart of the Bible belt (where they need it the most!), visit the Skepticon donation center, where they also explain how your donations will be spent, and the different ways you can contribute.

Also, because it's free, demand is high. If you want to be sure the venue is big enough that you'll actually get a seat (or even into the room), please tell them you're coming. Register now, so they have a reliable head count well enough in advance.

Video of my talk is now available (see Skepticon III Video). A link is also provided there to view the accompanying slideshow.

10 comments:

Lauren Lane said...

Yay! I can't wait to have you here! I am super excited! Plus, I totally get to MC this year, which means that Skepticon will be taken over with my awesomeness, believe it!

Unknown said...

Oh gees, you convinced me to come again. But I'm not driving across the country like last time!

Will there be a debate again?

DM said...

Carrier

you are GOING TO BE TORTURED AND EXECUTED...

you are going to LEARN CONSEQUENCES...

DM said...

carrier,

this isn't one of your little WORD GAMES...

blasphemy is a DEATH SENTENCE, fucker..

Ben said...

Looking forward to it.

Pikemann Urge said...

As you might remember from my previous comments about skepticism, I'm not really a big supporter of the movement per se. However, I certainly enjoy the speakers in their own right.

I'd like to know if non-skeptics attend conferences such as this (and the Randi one, TAM). I could certainly see myself in the audience.

Perhaps debates are not really a high priority with Skepticon organizers, but it would be interesting to see what kind of debates could be hosted.

JT Eberhard said...

You have perhaps the most epic troll I've ever seen. This guy is committed (or perhaps should be committed...).

JT

Andrew Ray Gorman said...

9 troll/spam posts. Too bad Richard doesn't have more time for the net, although I think switching to comment moderation might fix this.

Richard Carrier said...

Pikemann Urge said... I'd like to know if non-skeptics attend conferences such as this.

Yes. Last year I took a question from a devout (albeit liberal) Catholic girl in the audience, and I met several friendly Christians who attended (and not just to see our debate with the fundies).

Perhaps debates are not really a high priority with Skepticon organizers, but it would be interesting to see what kind of debates could be hosted.

They are considering it. They had two debates at the event last year.

P.S. JT and Andrew: Sadly I don't have time for comment moderation, but the trolling and abuse is indeed getting out of hand. I've deleted everything that I didn't send an official complaint about. From now on I'll try and spot this stuff early.

Richard Carrier said...

Video of my talk is now available (see Skepticon III Video). A link is also provided there to view the accompanying slideshow.