Reason Rally Roll Call (Washington DC, Mar 24, 2012)

[AdMan]

Most if not all the speeches will end up on YouTube if they're not already there, but I thought this video was kinda unique--Michael Shermer started off his talk by leading the audience in a cheer, and he recorded it on his iPhone from stage:



ETA: I think even those posting in this and related threads who think the rally was too anti-religion would be happy to hear 20,000 (maybe) people shouting "skeptics rule!", "science rules!" and "reason rules!" on the National Mall. Who could have imagined such a thing would even be possible?

 

[Wowbagger]

I saw him walk in front of me, but didn't say anything. I was afraid he would ask for money.

I don't ask people for money. But, some people ask me for money. I was afraid you would be one of them.

 

[KwamiFabu]

The "Chthulu guy" (he had his whiteboard and a friend) was about 10 feet from me and my daughter for most of the afternoon. About a dozen people per hour had their pic taken with him, for reasons I'm unclear on.

Does anyone know who the elderly woman was who kept appearing on the big screen any time a performer said or did something naughty? Her reactions were classic.

 

[Baloney]

Victor Harris at the Reason Rally

I am opposed to this schedule. Where are the beer breaks?

On a more serious note, I'm stoked that my friend Victor got a slot!

Hey, if Victor is your friend: tell him his Soda/Pop poem at the Rally was terrific! Does he have a website? The speaker page on the Reason Rally website links to an infrequently used twitter account.

Victor Harris at the Reason Rally on 3/24/12

 

[Baloney]

The "Chthulu guy" (he had his whiteboard and a friend) was about 10 feet from me and my daughter for most of the afternoon. About a dozen people per hour had their pic taken with him, for reasons I'm unclear on.

Does anyone know who the elderly woman was who kept appearing on the big screen any time a performer said or did something naughty? Her reactions were classic.

I meant THIS guy:

The sign reads: "Repent heretics or be devoured by Almighty Cthulhu" (in all-caps)

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Hey, if Victor is your friend: tell him his Soda/Pop poem at the Rally was terrific! Does he have a website? The speaker page on the Reason Rally website links to an infrequently used twitter account.

Victor Harris at the Reason Rally on 3/24/12

I know they all look alike, but Victor didn't do the soda/pop poem. That was Ronnelle Adams.

 

[Baloney]

Oh schism! I had the wrong name down, and actually Victor and Ronnelle were nearly twins. You know, except for hair, face, build, height, clothes, etc. My bad. (Actually, I was sitting half the time, so didn't see anyone -- so, yeah, I'm an idiot. I even watched the video.)

Victor was terrific though, too.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Victor was terrific though, too.

I had dinner and a few beers with Victor on Saturday night (along with Rebecca Watson - I'm such a name dropper!), and he received quite a few kudos from the group.

OK, so as long as I'm dropping names, I should also mention I had dinner with Tim Minchin on Friday night.

You are all now officially jealous of me.

 

[Baloney]

OK, so as long as I'm dropping names, I should also mention I had dinner with Tim Minchin on Friday night.

Holy crap! How did you hook that up?!

You are all now officially jealous of me.

Pfft! You wish!

 

[AdMan]

Ok, so just got back home from the Rally ( where I met nobody from here ) and showered. I didn't get to the rally until about 8:45am, so I missed everyone at Union Station. Also, don't have twitter or a smartphone, so I was out of the loop.

I did, however, drop by the JREF table and they said a few forumites had dropped by, as well. Rikzilla, I'd I've helped out at the t-shirt tent if I'd known, but didn't pre-order anything so I never went to the tent. I did get to see Tim Minchin warm up pre-9am though, and stayed through the whole thing until they told us to leave.

By the way, I was set up on the right side, about 10 feet back from the press stand and AV tent (between them), on a brown tarp with 3 fold-up sport chairs, offering out bagels, fruit, and OJ.

Hey, Baloney--sorry we missed you! Did you have a JREF sign? I walked around the whole thing a couple of times but never saw it, but given the crowd it's not surprising I didn't spot it.

At least I am sure your food and OJ made some people (who may have traveled on a bus overnight to be there) very grateful.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Holy crap! How did you hook that up?!

You just need to have low friends in high places.

 

[Baloney]

You just need to have low friends in high places.

That makes sense: I have constantly-high friends in low places.

 

[Baloney]

Hey, Baloney--sorry we missed you! Did you have a JREF sign? I walked around the whole thing a couple of times but never saw it, but given the crowd it's not surprising I didn't spot it.

It was cardboard and lasted until about 9:02am.

At least I am sure your food and OJ made some people (who may have traveled on a bus overnight to be there) very grateful.

Actually, it turned out to be quite useful: everytime a nearby groups' conversations started to overpower (in dB) one of the speakers (which became a frequent occurance towards the afternoon), I'd just offer them some fruit and bagels to put in their mouths. Only one guy caught on to my scheme the entire day. People tend to be self-absorbed.