Life? What life? I’m too busy flitting about. Last week it was Duluth and a long stint in Washington DC; today I’m in Murray, Kentucky; next week I’ll be in Austin, Texas, and the week after that, in Nashville for CSICon. And then I get a little break. After that, though, I wanted to plug Eschaton 2012, because it’ll be your last chance to see me before the end of the world.
Oh, wait. I’ve just been informed by the conference organizers that the world probably isn’t ending, so I guess you don’t have to go.
THE WORLD IS PROBABLY NOT ENDING.
NOW STOP WORRYING, AND CELEBRATE REASON!Come to Ottawa for a weekend gathering of scientists, philosophers, authors, academics, skeptics, rationalists, humanists, atheists, and freethinkers, where you can see presentations and join discussions on science, skepticism, gender issues, theocracy vs secularism, godless ethics, parenting beyond belief. Featured speakers include blogger PZ Myers, author Ophelia Benson, philosopher Chris DiCarlo, science education activist Eugenie Scott, and many others. You can even participate in a live recording of Canada’s skeptical podcast, “The Reality Check” (trcpodcast.com).
Saturday evening we present our gala “Night at the Musuem” (held at the Canadian Museum of Nature), which includes a reception, talk by PZ Myers, and late night special events, with exclusive access to the Fossil Gallery and Earth Gallery.
The price of $275 ($225 for CFI members) includes access to the Friday night plenary session, a choice of 2 daytime tracks on Saturday and Sunday, lunches and snacks, plus the Saturday evening gala. (A limited number of volunteer discounts are available – email [email protected] for more information.)
November 30-December 2
Ottawa, Canadawebsite: eschaton2012.ca
twitter: @eschaton2012
facebook: facebook.com/Eschaton2012
Oh my gosh, I’m part of a gala! I’m going to be doing a science talk on chance and coalescence theory and the failures of prominent creationists to grasp essential concepts, which sounds a bit somber for a gala. Maybe it will help if I dress all in motley?
45 comments
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coyotenose
15 October 2012 at 10:47 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m hyperskeptical of the conference organizers’ claims that the world probably* isn’t going to end according to Mayan predictions that don’t exist. Do they have photos of this future non-event?
*Probably. Don’t even get me started on THAT weasel word!
dianne
15 October 2012 at 10:51 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Initially read this as “time travel madness continues.” Had an interesting few minutes wondering if PZ was traveling by police box, de Lorean, or maybe the Dirk Gentlyesque living room method.
justawriter
15 October 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hey, I found God. Turns out he lives in San Mateo, CA. In my spam box today …
He also has a phone (for texts only) and speaks English only.
chigau (棒や石)
15 October 2012 at 11:04 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
$275 forsooth!
You’d better wear the motley, with bells.
and post the pictures ’cause
$275!
magista
15 October 2012 at 11:12 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Now now, PZ, you’ll be in Canada. You have to be sombre.
No, I have no legitimate point to make, why do you ask?
michaeld
15 October 2012 at 11:43 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Being local to Ottawa I should probably go but I’ve been feeling so burnt out I’m finding it hard to actually sign up for it…
Dick the Damned
15 October 2012 at 12:18 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
We’d like to attend the Saturday evening session in Ottawa. Right now we’re living just a few blocks away from the museum, but by the time of the conference, we’ll be in Kanata.
It’s been a very long time since i last drove in the Canadian winter, so if the weather’s bad, i might just chicken out.
Eamon Knight
15 October 2012 at 12:37 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@7: Don’t be a wimp — the #97 goes right downtown! (No, I don’t recall what bus goes south to the Museum area from there).
dearania
15 October 2012 at 1:07 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Dick the Damned and Eamon Knight:
You can take the 97 downtown and then take the #5 down Elgin St. Which stops close to the museum.
Also if you come to the rest of the conference, the Museum is pretty close to the conference center itself.
We are hoping to have a couple of the museum rooms open to our attendees as well.
theobromine
15 October 2012 at 1:34 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@DearAnia:
Confirmed – the Dinosaur Gallery and Earth Gallery at the Museum will be open that evening for private viewing.
madtom1999
15 October 2012 at 1:38 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#10 open that evening for private viewing.
You mean ‘Closed’ really.
dearania
15 October 2012 at 1:43 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@11 – Well that depends on what side of the barrier you are standing on doesn’t it. xD.
Also, in addition to PZ, it looks like Crommunist, Natalie Reed, Ophelia Benson, Chris DiCarlo, Larry Moran, Sarah Mayhew and more are going to be there.
It should be a really fun conference. Also, I am actually raising money to give students a bit of a price break on the conference. If you are a student who is interested let me know.
johnwolforth
15 October 2012 at 1:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for working Duluth into your busy schedule, and apologies for unleashing the crazy animal rights lady on you. I really just wanted to hear your stance on the issue, I didn’t realize she was going to follow me with, “So why don’t we just experiment on people?” thing.
theobromine
15 October 2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#11 I think I do mean open, since the entire rest of the museum is closed at that time, with the exception of these 2 galleries and the reception area for the Night at the Museum party.
But whatever the pedantic semantics, I hope to see lots of Pharyngulites at the conference and party.
rivertam
15 October 2012 at 1:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Dammit why must you hold that conference in my hometown just 2 weeks before I come home for break? Now its just teasing me.
dearania
15 October 2012 at 2:02 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@5 Have you seen this:
Still think Canada is Sombre :P
dearania
15 October 2012 at 2:03 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Ok well the title off the link was supposed to be Taste the Doom of Fire, but I think you get the picture xD
sc_10531f6e747eb5b8049731d51dc8c009
15 October 2012 at 2:06 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#14 – Yup, “open.” You have to pay a fee to get in, but that’s the same as during regular Museum hours, so it definitely still counts.
Dick the Damned
15 October 2012 at 2:08 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for the us info. I haven’t used OC Transpo, so this might be an opportunity. My recalcitrance regarding taking the car is partly due to it being brand new, & i don’t want to crumple it.
madtom1999
15 October 2012 at 2:39 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#18 But definitely not open in the normal sense where I could quietly browse the exhibits and not expect to find PZ galloping around on a triceratops trying to convince me that evolution was the only possible interpretation of the facts while someone else is is offering me canapés which prove the opposite.
AlanMac
15 October 2012 at 2:43 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Another reason why Canada rocks:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/university-windsor-drops-convocation-prayer-campus-atheists-protest-185028435.html
theobromine
15 October 2012 at 2:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#20 – I dunno, that’s pretty much what happened at the Kentucky Kreation “Museum” (minus the canapés)
sc_10531f6e747eb5b8049731d51dc8c009
15 October 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#22 – Do we know for a fact that no canapés were involved in Kentucky?
AlanMac
15 October 2012 at 3:01 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Must have been peanut butter canapés; “the evolutionist’s nightmare”.
davem
15 October 2012 at 3:18 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Woohoo! Just seen PZ on BBC3. Only had 15 seconds, though; where did the rest go?
theobromine
15 October 2012 at 3:28 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#22 are you asking “Was. I. There?”
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
15 October 2012 at 3:36 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Am I reading correctly that PZ is coming within 5 hours of me?
And I have a good passport…
*plots evil*
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
15 October 2012 at 3:40 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
And by “evil plots,” I mean “knitted octopus hats.”
Of course, I must ask PZ a question: of symmetry, wearability, and biological accuracy, which do you value the highest (and which the lowest) in terms of headgear?
sc_10531f6e747eb5b8049731d51dc8c009
15 October 2012 at 3:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
#28 – I really hope you’re planning on bringing enough to share with the whole class!
(By which I mean me.)
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
15 October 2012 at 3:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Googlemess, I’d be making these by hand. Which means supplies are limited by how fast I can purl.
Sorry.
jaybee
15 October 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
In Austin, eh? What for? Are you speaking somewhere? I attempted to use the calendar link on the front page, but it leads to a dead end.
spamamander, internet amphibian
15 October 2012 at 6:34 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Will it be a Grand Galloping Gala?
dexitroboper
15 October 2012 at 6:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
No longer Immanentising the Eschaton? That’s just what the Illuminati want you to think.
inflection
15 October 2012 at 6:49 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
spamamander @32: Heh. Was wondering if I’d be the first to make a GGG ref. :^)
AJ Milne
15 October 2012 at 8:10 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Well, of course there a gala. It’s Ottawa. There’s a rule. Galas even break out–frequently without warning–at the hockey games. And in the biker bars. True story.
And I’m going. Can’t pass that up. As if. Galas and godlessness. Gotta be in on that.
Travis
16 October 2012 at 3:25 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I would love to go to Eschaton and see PZ and everything else. I have never had that opportunity but sadly I am very, very poor at the moment:-/
judithsanders
16 October 2012 at 7:18 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@justawriter – Send Allah the web address of 350.org.
eschaton2012
16 October 2012 at 8:31 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Regarding costs:
Unfortunately, conferences are expensive – venue rentals, transportation and accommodation for speakers, food – it all adds up very quickly. (It’s worth noting that the cost for Eschaton2012 does include meals.) Also, as mentioned, there are discounts available for volunteers; send an email to [email protected] for more information.
frankathon
16 October 2012 at 8:47 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I found out about this about a month ago, got my pass and bought a couple for my friends who couldn’t afford it.
I am so excited about this!
I found the price to be reasonable considerring the various speakers and location and if you only want to go to the Gala 50$ is pretty awesome considering you get a meal and PZ.
I can’t wait!!!
atheismtv
16 October 2012 at 1:56 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I was JUST going to send you an email about this conference.
I created an ad for it. Maybe you could embed it into your blog?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u5CWqMbypc
Yours truly,
AtheismTV
manolomatos
16 October 2012 at 2:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
For the benefit of Mr. Kite and the ones that couldn’t make it, I uploaded two hours of goodness. The first hour is the presentation and an additional hour of questions and answers. It was an awesome presentation. Thank you for coming to KY and thank you to the MSU Student Organization for Reason and Science and MSU Freethinkers for sponsoring the event. Check it out: http://www.ateorizar.com/2012/10/pz-myers-inescapable-conflict-between.html
lindamccann
16 October 2012 at 3:22 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Wear knickerbockers, with yellow stockings and cross garters. Women love that.
John Morales
16 October 2012 at 5:07 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Gracias, manolomatos.
dearania
16 October 2012 at 9:25 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@Travis
You could volunteer! There is a discount for that.
manolomatos
16 October 2012 at 11:36 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
John, check out our podcast. Tomorrow we will interview Greta Christina.