I'm at the Sixth World Skeptics Conference in Berlin, co-organised by the German GWUP and the US CSI. These conferences have been going on biannually since the mid-90s with a recent hiatus. It's the first time I'm at a skeptical event in Continental Europe. With only 300 seats it's not quite as planet-spanning as its name suggests, but it's a good crowd anyway. Some impressions:
- I prefer to be a speaker at conferences.
- I'm doing some intensive networking for the Swedish Skeptics who sent me here.
- Also talent scouting for the European meeting we're organising next year.
- It's good to hear speakers who are not on the Anglophone circuit I've been following live and on podcasts in recent years.
- Good venue, good food, lovely greenery in the courtyard.
- Good schedule with ample opportunity to talk to people.
- Open day for the public is a good idea when you've paid speakers to fly in.
- Best talks so far: Eugenie Scott and Johan Braeckman, both on creationism.
- Looking forward to: Rebecca Watson and Chris French.
More like this
Over at Biocurious, Phillip has a post on the generic science seminar outline:
The APS March meeting is next week as 10000 physicists invade Portland, Oregon. I hope Powell's bookstore has stocked their science sections well!
So, President Obama is getting an honorary degree and giving a commencement address at the University of Notre Dame, and some folks aren't too happy about that. Why? The stated reasons is his support of limited abortion rights.
Hey! Skeptics within driving radius of Wichita!
This weekend is Skeptics of Oz 2013!
Here is their Facebook page!
Rebecca Watson, Yeaaah!!! Looking forward to more Berlin reports.
-What, no Westboro Baptist Church picketing? The cheap bastards denied you a comical interlude because of the overseas flight cost.
Sounds like you've been busy - but I happy that I got to meet you in real life. Also fun when you've been in contact with someone for years online.
Great meeting you too man!