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TAM Highlights?

Horatius said:
I think this was the real highlight of the week. Sitting in a room with a few hundred others and watching this, was great. Talking amongst ourselves is great fun, but until we get out into the public with a good chance to convince them that skepticism is the way to go, we're not going to get very far. Seeing Randi and RSLancaster up there, getting it done on national TV, and being taken seriously, was fantastic!
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Something always seem to happen at TAMs. At TAM1, it was the Columbia Disaster. We've also witnessed the first photos from Titan. Sylvia being torn down was just...classic.
 
TriangleMan said:
Highlights. Um, let's see what I can remember . . .

The Forum Party was easily the best one ever, getting closed down by security was just icing on the cake. . . .
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And you were one hell of a relief bartender.
 
CFLarsen said:
Something always seem to happen at TAMs. At TAM1, it was the Columbia Disaster. We've also witnessed the first photos from Titan. Sylvia being torn down was just...classic.
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er... I think that I prefer the Sylvia one to the Columbia Disiaster. Actually, like it even better than the first photos from Titan. Okay.. Don't get me wrong, the photos from Titan are probably going to mean more to science in the long run and are doubtless very exciting to planetary scientists... But it lacks that feeling of sweet savory justice.
 
The Central Scrutinizer said:
Yes she was. I heard a rumor that it was understood that she not be given a microphone. Don't know how true that is.
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Nope, as Mr. Microphone for TAM, i can assure you that no one was prohibited from asking any question at all. There were always more questions than there was time, but no one was blacklisted at all.

hal
 
Hal Bidlack said:
Nope, as Mr. Microphone for TAM, i can assure you that no one was prohibited from asking any question at all. There were always more questions than there was time, but no one was blacklisted at all.

hal
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Sunday, the man who was running the papers, Hall? Did pass on a person, said something to the effect that they had exceeded their quota.

I don't know the person, so I don't know if it was meant in jest. Also, I don't how they reacted. Since, I was on the otherside of the room.

So, please try not to read too much into that little bit of information.
 
IllegalArgument said:
Sunday, the man who was running the papers, Hall? Did pass on a person, said something to the effect that they had exceeded their quota.

I don't know the person, so I don't know if it was meant in jest. Also, I don't how they reacted. Since, I was on the otherside of the room.

So, please try not to read too much into that little bit of information.
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Yeah, it was Stars 'n' Stripes he did that to with rebecca's paper. I saw her put up her hand, I winced, and he told her she'd had enough questions.

Considering what it took to get Hal to give me the mic for Penn & Teller though...

:p
 
So one of my many highlights was Pool boy misbehaving.

He volunteered to take tickets to the Jamy/Todd Robbins show. I told him (using little words) "everyone must have a ticket to get in."

So, Adam Savage comes to the door. Pool Boy PICKS HIM UP AND CARRIES HIM OUT THE DOOR while saying, "no ticket! no ticket! Hey, you look like a trouble maker!!! You can't come in!"

Loon, myself, and many others were in SHOCK!

Pool Boy and Adam were laughing!!! Yes, Adam Savage is the BEST person on the face of this Earth! He thought it was a riot.

When I told Hal and Jeff they turned WHITE and said, "but he has a hurt thumb! You mean he actually PICKED Adam UP???"

Trust me, Adam thought it was great!

As for myself, you would think teaching preschoolers would better prepare me for dealing with Pool Boy!
 
I have to add that Kitten2 was LIVID with Todd Robbins. Linda got that beautiful bouqet of flowers from Randi and JREF. Kitten2 was helping me at the side table where the flowers were placed.

Every time Todd walked by, he grabbed a flower and ATE IT!!!

Finally Kitten2 made me go over to Linda and TELL HER that Todd was eating her flowers!!!

Linda just rolled her eyes and said, "yeah, I know."

Let's face it, she has worked with Randi for so long, nothing gets to her anymore.
 
Forum Member highlights: Saganite, Delphi Ote, LA, pub crawling with Infidel Guy, Moe, plane ride with Boo, Disko and his field trip crew, Rebecca, Exarch, Rusty, Rob L, and dozens of others.

Celebrity highlights:
1)Hitchens tells a bad joke at the forum party for 15 minutes but makes up for it with awesome delivery. I tell him a bad joke in return, only without the good delivery.

2) Adam Savage actually enjoys himself. I heard him say to Randi in the hallway that he would like to be "exploited" in any possible way to help JREF for as long as it exists. He really meant it. He plans on a dowsing episode with Randi.

3) Anderson Cooper live. Go Rob.

4) Desert Bus II.

5) Swiss shows a small crowd a few sleight of hand tecniques.
 
One of the highlights of my first TAM was watching Randi and Banachek teaching Dawkins a few slights.
 
KingMerv00 said:
2) Adam Savage actually enjoys himself. I heard him say to Randi in the hallway that he would like to be "exploited" in any possible way to help JREF for as long as it exists. He really meant it. He plans on a dowsing episode with Randi.
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I volunteer to exploit Adam. I have this thing about smart guys, funny guys, guys with red hair. Dibs - I said it first
 
The Central Scrutinizer said:
Yes she was. I heard a rumor that it was understood that she not be given a microphone. Don't know how true that is.
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Who would ever perpetuate such a notion? That is utterly preposterous!

Whoever told you that was obviously not telling you the truth. Nor was that person interested in telling the truth.

I won't ask you who that person was, but you decide how you want to deal with that person in the future.
 
KingMerv00 said:
2) Adam Savage actually enjoys himself. I heard him say to Randi in the hallway that he would like to be "exploited" in any possible way to help JREF for as long as it exists. He really meant it. He plans on a dowsing episode with Randi.
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I think THIS is what makes TAM special.

The people we consider "superstars"--like Adam, Phil Plait, Wiseman, P&T, and others don't go just to "give another talk." They actually enjoy themselves and believe in what the conference is all about.

These folks speak at countless different conferences and events, but it's only TAM where someone like Adam says "My goal is to bring as many Mythbusters to TAM every year as I can." (I'm not making that up--he really said it.)
 
Cleon said:
I think THIS is what makes TAM special.

The people we consider "superstars"--like Adam, Phil Plait, Wiseman, P&T, and others don't go just to "give another talk." They actually enjoy themselves and believe in what the conference is all about.

These folks speak at countless different conferences and events, but it's only TAM where someone like Adam says "My goal is to bring as many Mythbusters to TAM every year as I can." (I'm not making that up--he really said it.)
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Absolutely. They forget themselves, that they are "superstars". It isn't their egos (egi??) that make them come to TAM, but the mere fact that they enjoy themselves, not because they are revered, but because they can actually engage with other people on a "normal" scale.

That is the lure of TAM.
 
CFLarsen said:
Absolutely. They forget themselves, that they are "superstars". It isn't their egos (egi??) that make them come to TAM, but the mere fact that they enjoy themselves, not because they are revered, but because they can actually engage with other people on a "normal" scale.

That is the lure of TAM.
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Totally - Adam Savage is so genuinely thrilled to be there - it's really wonderful to see!
 
Cleon said:
I think THIS is what makes TAM special.

The people we consider "superstars"--like Adam, Phil Plait, Wiseman, P&T, and others don't go just to "give another talk." They actually enjoy themselves and believe in what the conference is all about.

These folks speak at countless different conferences and events, but it's only TAM where someone like Adam says "My goal is to bring as many Mythbusters to TAM every year as I can." (I'm not making that up--he really said it.)
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Yes. It is a rather unique event for sure. I think that they realize that they're with a bunch who is a bit different. I don't mean to be elitist, but I would hazard to guess the group is made up of people who all tend to be a bit more critically-thinking, inquisitive, well-humored... okay... now I sound like I'm being full of it.

But just the same... it's a very interesting dynamic. You have some serious science people, but they still like to laugh, and you have some very funny folks, but who still love to be mentally stimulated. Most of them all seemed to appreciate the fact that the group had an odd assortment of people who could contribute.... an odd assortment of things.

Okay... being overly analytical... but I suppose, having been to a lot of speaking events before... that the speakers were quite happy to be there.


Maybe the additude was best represented by the gentleman from MIT (who's name escapes me). He showed an openness to ideas from all directions. He had a PhD, and taught at a very prestigious institution, but also attributed some of his best inspirations to farmers, African villigars and others who gave him great information that he could combine with what he had. Also, he definitely gave the impression that he enjoyed messing around with stuff for the sheer fun of it.

Okay...I'm getting elitist again... but what an amazing group!
 
well TAM is special because you really DO get to talk with the speakers, and let's not forget these people are our heros.

A long time ago I was taking part in one of those silly games where you answer questions. One was, "which person would you most want to be seated next to on a plane?" My answer was Randi, as I could never imagine ever meeting him, or speaking with him.

Then came TAM1.

So this is how TAM5 went. I walk into the room where packets are being put together, and see Mr.Randi. He sees me. He says, "Everybody clear away! Look out! Incoming!!!" And then I run over and give him a BIG hug and kiss.

When it was time to leave, he gave my daughter Kitten2 the biggest hug. But, then it was time for everyone to "Clear away! Incoming!" as he came hurrying over to ME for my super big hug. OK, you think that isn't going to be one of my happiest memories for the rest of my life? The man that was my number one hero is STILL my number one hero, but also my friend.

I'm very lucky. Life is certainly very good.
 
Geek Goddess said:
I volunteer to exploit Adam. I have this thing about smart guys, funny guys, guys with red hair. Dibs - I said it first
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FYI, I am adding red hair dye to my shopping list...... (learning some jokes....reading the encyclopedia....)
 
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