How to describe TAM to "squares"

TsarBomba

One Damn Dirty Ape
TsarBomba
Joined
Jan 7, 2007
Messages
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The world can be divided into four types of people:

1. Those who went to TAM.
2. Those who did not, but would have liked to.
3. Those who know all about TAM and think that it is evil/dangerous/threatening, etc. (Think hardcore Sylvia fans here).
4. The rest of the world, who I will call "squares."

I have been asked by "squares" many times why I was/am going to Las Vegas. Some of the squares have been co-workers, some friends, some family members, and some were random people at the Flamingo who asked why I was there (looking at my TAM ID badge).

I have found it hard to give a succinct, meaningful, and accurate summary of what TAM is/was all about.

Usually it goes something like this:


Square: What was this thing in Las Vegas?

TsarBomba: Well, it was a skeptics meeting.

Square: A meeting?

TsarBomba: Well, more of a convention really, for speptics. Neil DeGrasse Tyson spoke.

Square: Who?

TsarBomba: Neil DeGrasse Tyson. He is an astrophycisist.

Square: So it was a science fiction convention. Like Star Trek and stuff?

TsarBomba: No, a convention for skeptics.

Square: What do you mean "skeptics?"

TsarBomba: You know, we are skeptical.

Square: About astrophysics?

TsarBomba: About everything.

Square: How do you have a convention about being skeptical of everything?

At this point the conversation takes at least five minutes until I give an adequate description.


I am wondering how others do this.
 
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Critical Thinking seminar or Critical Drinking depending on time of day and proximity to alcohol.



Boo
 
I usually ask if the person has seen John Stossel's "Give Me a Break" bit on 20/20. If so, I tell them it is very similar to that for 3 days. If not, I recommend they watch it.

BTW, anyone whose response to "Neil DeGrasse Tyson spoke." is "Who?" could use a stiff dose of TAM.

*Clutches her autographed copy of "Death by Black Hole"*
 
grayman said:
Woodstock for geeks.
Click to expand...

That might actually work. I've found that you generally don't have a lot of time to explain it all to the uninitiated. "Skeptic" often produces a "Oh, so you guys don't believe in ANYTHING, huh?" response. "Critical Thinking" makes more sense to me, but often results in a blank stare or, "Huh? What's THAT about". When I've had time to explain further sometimes the response is, "So you're like a religious cult or something?"

When I'm out in the field doing a ham radio contest with all kinds of exotic antennas and radio gear I use a short "flyer" type handout that explains what I'm up to. Maybe a business or post card sized handout might be useful to pass along to anyone who seems genuinely curious.
 
I found it helpful to invoke Penn & Teller and Adam Savage. Typically I have to throw in the word "geek" somewhere. Then I usually get a knowing head nod and a "sounds like you"

The kinda sad thing is, I got to meet a bunch of my heroes and hear some really great talks, and it will impress no one in my life outside of the Denver skeptics. Not that I spend much time thinking about when there's TAM 7 to look forward to!
 
Ramblinnerd said:
I found it helpful to invoke Penn & Teller and Adam Savage. Typically I have to throw in the word "geek" somewhere. Then I usually get a knowing head nod and a "sounds like you"

The kinda sad thing is, I got to meet a bunch of my heroes and hear some really great talks, and it will impress no one in my life outside of the Denver skeptics. Not that I spend much time thinking about when there's TAM 7 to look forward to!
Click to expand...

Since most people that know me closely know that I am an atheist, I will sometimes say that it is "something like a seminar in applied atheism," although that is not really very accurate. Once you start mentioning UFOs, Psychics, Mediums (or is the plural Media?), even if you say you are skeptical people associate you with a bunch of kooks. If you say that it is a convention for geeks, they start thinking that it is a tech seminar, which it isn't. A brief an accurate description is very difficult.
 
I say that it's like Burning Man or a religious encounter retreat... only with smart rational people.

:)

--a place where geeks hang with their peeps.
 
I have one co-worker who is not only in the know, he was quite jealous. For those not in the know I just cut out the explanation and tell them it's a conference but basically it's an excuse for me to meet up with 100+ friends I have from the Internet. More often than not that sufficies.
 
I start with the idea that the conference is about "science education" and clarify that it focuses on scientific ideas that are often misrepresented in the popular media. I know that really doesn't cover everything skepticism covers, but its a start. If the conversation goes on, I usually get to the word "skeptic" eventually but I definitely don't lead with it.

Sometimes I describe it as the "annual meeting of a non-profit educational foundation" that I'm involved in.

It just occurred to me that a "conference about combatting misinformation" might be a way to go as well.
 
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"Science-y type stuff" still works for me as a catch-all.

"It's my once-a-year chance to see a bunch of good friends of mine" works as well, and people usually move on once you've thrown this out there, because everyone can relate.
 
I believe it was KingMerv that said he describes it as a foundation promoting scientific literacy. That worked well on the airplane ride home when the couple sitting next to me inquired. It also makes me feel smarter than I am.

Speaking of squares, my excitement from TAM has found me yapping about skeptic stuff at work and I have already been accused by a co-worker of being "one of those people who puts others down" and who shoves my "beliefs" down other people's throats. Eek. What's wrong with just plain old conversation even if you don't agree with the other person's point of view.

Oh well, back to biting my tongue. I already miss the company of those where I can say anything and not worry about offending.
 
I hear you... I so look forward to TAM. I try to point out the stuff everyone can relate to--the Sylvia Browne coup was a good discussion point last year... Wiseman's quirkology is good... I try to emphasize the illusions and magic and ways people fool themselves to avoid my being seen as a total geek and anti-christ.

But mostly I just keep it to myself... I don't expect people to understand... I imagine I get the same goofy feeling that people who are going on "retreats" get... only I get it from being around the coolest people on the planet-- and not from bizarro gurus selling illusions and psychobabble to the gullible.
 
Whenever someone asks me about my annual "education conference" I tell them that it is through the James Randi Educational Foundation and is personal continuing education. When asked what it's about I tell them that educators and scientists from the nation and around the world come in on various subjects; I tell them that my purpose in going is to learn more about critical thinking and how not to fall prey to scam artists and flim-flamary (sp).

This way of describing TAM gets better reception than telling everyone it's a skeptics' conference.
 
To my religious mother, I explain that it is a science organization that I'm involved in.

To my religious friends I tell them that it is a scientific group that discusses paranormal/scams kind of things. Then I usually add that we are a large group that has areas that they are interested in, for example UFO's, Medical Fraud, Psychics, Bigfoot ect (ususally they are nodding at this point). I tell them that my favorite area is psychics, my sons like the 9/11 or politics area. If the person is still standing in front of me then maybe they will ask a question or two that can steer me into explaining it further.

This year, Paulina went with me and so I don't feel so alone. Having another adult (besides my kids) that knows my world here in Salinas is wonderful! The forum is fantastic, but a human being in town that knows who Lancaster is, has shaken Randi's hand, and not laughed at Hal's jokes is really neat to have around.

On the other hand, now Paulina is experiencing culture shock from TAM. She thought she was all alone in town, now she found Stirling and me. But she feels even more odd in her family that is very religious. I told her to tell her family that she is attending a science educational conference, and that went over well to her family.

Susan
 
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