A patriotic way to spend the 4th of July this year


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Battle the British invasion! Come to Bloomington, Minnesota for CONvergence on 4-7 July!

Both Freethoughtblogs and Skepchick have an official presence at this con — we’re not only promoting and attending a science and skepticism track in the programming, but we also host party rooms for wild conversations after hours.

Take a look at the panel schedule for this year (you can also see what I’m doing — I’m slacking off and only sitting on 9 panels this time around).

You really don’t want to miss it. As always, we’re going to have a great time.

Comments

  1. Gregory Greenwood says

    Battle the British Invasion? But how are you going to fight our twin secret weapons of winning charm and the accent that you transatlantic types seem to enjoy so much?

    Go on – you know you want us over there really. We promise we will bring tea, crumpets and Benedict Cumberbatch…

    ;-P

  2. Xaivius (Formerly Robpowell, Acolyte of His Majesty Lord Niel DeGrasse Tyson I) says

    Benedict Cumberbatch: Truly one of the most British names in existence. Also a wonderful actor.

  3. ImaginesABeach says

    I’ve never done one of these things. Is this a safe place to bring my 14 year old daughter?

  4. says

    Yes. She’ll probably be more in synch with it than you are.

    There are revealing costumes on display, but none expose more skin than ordinary beach wear. Some of the sessions have adult themes, most of them late at night (or plainly displayed: I’m on a panel titled “Penises of the Animal Kingdom”, so you know what we’ll be talking about.)

    It is all very young at heart, though.

  5. says

    I could only go if I slept in my car/ crashed on someone’s couch. And even then, it might be tricky; e.g. i thought i could make it to SkepTech, and then it turned out i couldn’t :-(

  6. says

    actually, I (maybe) take that back; boyfriend has registered some interest in going, which will make this both more feasible and potentially more affordable, with shared gas costs etc.

  7. sethmassine says

    Hello, I live in a very small, VERY conservative, very, very, very Mormon town in Wyoming. Trying to find fellow Atheists and intellectuals to keep in touch with. Gets lonely here, engulfed by stupidity and religiosity :( Fucking hate it.

  8. says

    I recommend you check out the Lounge (link in sidebar on left) and introduce yourself there. It’s the place for sociability.

  9. wytchy says

    I am definitely going to be there! See you there PZ! I’m going to do some cosplay too! :D

  10. says

    sethmassine:
    Welcome.
    We would love to have you join us in the Lounge. We are a kindly, supportive bunch who chat about darned near whatever interests us (you will find one or two former Mormons posting there as well). If you need to vent because of your towns religiosity, thats a good place.
    The Lounge, where we are always open, you are always welcome, and nothing is off topic.

  11. says

    I’ve been giving some thought to hosting a freethought/skeptics/atheists room party at Norwescon next year. We’re not as big as CONvergence, but this is a pretty non-religious part of the country so maybe it would work. I’ve got to come up with a coon name, first.

  12. ChasCPeterson says

    An EP panel with Greg Laden?

    I saw that too. Plus Stephanie Zvan and Amanda Marcotte.
    I’m sure the discussion will be accurate, up to date, and unbiased.

  13. ROTATO says

    Would if I could but I can’t! Invasions are pricey things. :c But I’m sure my fellow Britons will give you all what for!

  14. says

    Imaginesabeach:

    I’ve never done one of these things. Is this a safe place to bring my 14 year old daughter?

    I went last year with my daughters… aged 3 & 5. I’ll be there this year with them too. There are plenty of young people there – littl’uns like mine and teenagers both. As PZ noted there are some panels with “adult” themes, but they’re well noted and usually late at night. There are movie screenings, craft rooms, performances, and lounge-type spaces if your daughter’s not super into the discussions, too. It’s a LOT of fun!

  15. says

    Right. My wife does a sandbox session for the kids — they’ll be dissecting owl pellets and extracting bones and matching them up to keys to identify who got eaten. It’s lots of fun.

  16. johnlee says

    British invasion? You can all sleep safely, I don’t think our government has even got the wit to manage an invasion of the Isle of Wight.