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TAM III |
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The Amazing Meeting III - A quick review as promisedHow thankful I am to have attended the Amazing Meeeting III (3rd annual - aka. "TAM III"), created by Mr. James Randi ("The Amazing Randi"- www.randi.org) in association with Skeptic magazine. It was a gathering of prominent scientists, psychologists, magicians, authors, and even attorneys - all gathered to share ideas in defense and promotion of science and reason. FASCINATING IT WAS to see the frontlines of the battle against the quackery, pseudoscience, and misdirected energies that continue to plague such an information-rich world. This though-provoking 4-day discussion and eclectic gathering of individuals included lectures and participation from big names Penn & Teller, the dynamic magicians; Richard Dawkins, internationally famous author/biologist/zoologist/lecturer (Google him and see); Julie Sweeney, actress, writer and comedian well known for her years on Saturday Night Live; Dr. Richard Wiseman, widely published scientist, magician, and professor of psychology; Dr. Michael Shermer, author, educator, and publisher of Skeptic Magazine; Christopher Hitchens, highly controversial writer, somewhat Marxist in philosophy, noted defender of Salman Rushdie, and contributor to Vanity Fair, The Nation, Harper's, The New Yorker (Google him too); and many others of stature. The extensive list of other highly regarded professionals who both participated and spoke can be found at the web site for the James Randi Educational Foundation (www.randi.org). Take a look at it, and while you're there you should sign up for next year! I can tell you that the third annual gathering for science and reason was double the previous year (500), and based on the quality of this event, I see it only growing. An impressive testament to the quality of the event was that nearly every lecturer sat riveted to the others' presentations throughout - included Penn and Teller, Julia Sweeney and the rest. For additional information, here is an article that ran about the meeting in a local Vegas paper: http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2005/01/20/feature02.html. From the James Randi Educational Foundation web site: "Mark your calendars for January 13-16, 2005, for 'The Amazing Meeting 3: From Eve to Newton, the Apple of Knowledge.' TAM2 was a great success, with close to 400 guests from around the globe enjoying excellent speakers and entertainment. TAM3 will be even bigger and better — being held this year in association with the Skeptics Society and Michael Shermer! www.randi.org for more information
I'll add that the magicians were phenomenal, though performances were more geared to educating the myth-busting participants about the power of the techniques used by those who wish to take advantage of our emotional needs - for power, money, or whatever malicious motives. Truly this gathering of "rational thinkers" saw things from Penn & Teller, Banachek, Andrew Mayne, Jamy Ian Swiss, that we KNEW to be impossible! ABSOLUTELY COULDN'T BE DONE. If I were paying to have my fortune told or mind read by these guys, even I would have sworn it to be the real thing (which was the point). I could go on, but wont. I'll simply say that it was not only a profoundly educational and inspirational event, but that it was an absolute delight to witness exchanges between such INTELLECTUALLY HONEST individuals. Honest disagreements certainly took place, but absent "sacred cows", emotionally-driven rhetoric, or significant prejudice (obviously no person is without some, however). This is the type of dialogue that I argue is so very beneficial to our nation and world.
- Steve (1/24/05) |
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