• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

TAMbassadors Call

You're welcome! 90% of the credit goes to bumlet for physically transporting them and seeing they were distributed early on. By the time I arrived on Thursday afternoon, they'd nearly all been handed out, even though I'd ordered a half dozen extra thinking someone might misplace theirs or want to volunteer at the last minute. Turns out that wasn't enough to handle the demand, which I think is a great thing.
 
I'd also like to thank Rasmus, who I believe came up with the "TAMbassadors" title, in the original crazylegsmurphy thread.

Oh, and also thanks to clm for the inspiration. :)
 
Hmm, I did have a mental image of a bunch of helpful volunteers walking around with badges, but after reading a couple of freethought blog blogs it seems like you were a bunch of over zealous jackbooted anti-harrassment nazi police.

Thank god I wasn't there!!!!!:jaw-dropp
 
monoman said:
Hmm, I did have a mental image of a bunch of helpful volunteers walking around with badges, but after reading a couple of freethought blog blogs it seems like you were a bunch of over zealous jackbooted anti-harrassment nazi police.

Thank god I wasn't there!!!!!:jaw-dropp
Click to expand...


Over on FtB we were called "undercover harassment people... 19 people secretly monitoring the event for harassment," which is not only bizarre but completely false.
 
Last edited:
AdMan said:
Over on FtB we were called "undercover harassment people... 19 people secretly monitoring the event for harassment," which is not only bizarre but completely false.
Click to expand...

I see you're reading from the well prepared script. :rolleyes:

You've probably got a camera trained on me right now. Well tough luck, I've super glued some lead over my laptop webcam.

Another victory for common sense.
 
Do any of you Tambassadors ever check the Ftb blog comments?

There's a truly bizarre comment by a user called UAJamie (#87).
It could do with addressing because it contains some pretty serious accusations and has been highlighted in the actual blog entry.
 
monoman said:
Do any of you Tambassadors ever check the Ftb blog comments?

There's a truly bizarre comment by a user called UAJamie (#87).
It could do with addressing because it contains some pretty serious accusations and has been highlighted in the actual blog entry.
Click to expand...


I don't think the TAMbassadors can address that, because it seems that individual met with the outside consultants hired by the JREF to deal with potential harassment issues rather than with any of the volunteers. Volunteers would not be present during those meetings.

Any complaints would need to be taken up with and addressed by the JREF itself.

ETA: Just to clarify--from the TAM 2012 FAQ:

How does JREF handle safety concerns?

The Amazing Meeting, while a private event, is held at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, which is open to the public. The safety of our attendees and speakers is a priority. If an attendee encounters a problem within the conference area, they should report the situation to TAM staff or hotel security. JREF has also engaged an independent consultant on these issues, with decades of experience handling security, boundary and safety concerns, to assist us in dealing with any matters should they arise at the event.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
monoman said:
Do any of you Tambassadors ever check the Ftb blog comments?
Click to expand...
I didn't think it was one of our duties. :)
There's a truly bizarre comment by a user called UAJamie (#87).
It could do with addressing because it contains some pretty serious accusations and has been highlighted in the actual blog entry.
Click to expand...

Quite bizarre, indeed. But as Adman says, it's not something a volunteer or TAMbassador (separate but overlapping sets; I was in both) could comment on authoritatively. I don't think they're making the whole thing up, because the overall process is what we were told would happen, but the descriptions of interrogation and yelling seem unlikely to me, from my limited contact with the couple, as is the detail about pointing cameras. The fact that UAJamie cried when describing the incident doesn't necessarily mean that the counsellors were being harsh, it could be due to some emotional release. However, they certainly should take it up with JREF if the account is anywhere near accurate.
 
Ok thanks both.

BTW do either of you know how to clean super glue from a laptop webcam?
 
monoman said:
Ok thanks both.

BTW do either of you know how to clean super glue from a laptop webcam?
Click to expand...

I'd be careful about that. Scraping is probably your only reasonable path. Organic solvent (e.g. nail polish remover) might damage the laptop.
 
monoman said:
BTW do either of you know how to clean super glue from a laptop webcam?
Click to expand...

Well, as I explained to the first TAM attendee who asked me a question*, TAMbassadors are perfectly prepared to be asked questions, but we make no promises about giving answers, useful or otherwise. ;)





* One J. Randi.
 
zooterkin said:
Well, as I explained to the first TAM attendee who asked me a question*, TAMbassadors are perfectly prepared to be asked questions, but we make no promises about giving answers, useful or otherwise. ;)





* One J. Randi.
Click to expand...

There are only TWO important answers for TAM:

Go to the Del Mar

Meet at the horse's ass

Everything else is simple ;)
 
I'm going to be honest. I don't want to do this again. It got turned into something that it wasn't intended to be and I don't think bringing it back would be looked on happily by the crowd. It feels tainted.
 
Wowbagger said:
Why? Is it the whole "harrassment officers" thing? Was that really a big deal?!

I can still be a TAMbassador. I can reuse my button from last year.
Click to expand...

Pretty much. It started with the idea of TAM veterans being a visible and friendly presence for new and/or shy people and got turned into (what seemed like) plainclothes security.
 
bumlet5 said:
Pretty much. It started with the idea of TAM veterans being a visible and friendly presence for new and/or shy people and got turned into (what seemed like) plainclothes security.
Click to expand...


While I see your point, to be honest I think the vast majority of those who ended up with a distorted view of us (and the other TAM volunteers) as some kind of "plainclothes security" weren't actually there. I think many who were there did see the TAMbassadors as a positive thing, based on my experience.

I would be happy to volunteer again, assuming the JREF still likes the idea.
 
Last edited:
AdMan said:
I think the vast majority of those who ended up with a distorted view of us (and the other TAM volunteers) as some kind of "plainclothes security" weren't actually there.
Click to expand...
This.

I know there is still value in having someone around who not only looks like they what they are doing, in general, at TAM, but also appears to be willing to help others with questions and such.

So, I say we keep the TAMbassadors going.

If we don't then people will only wonder more why they were around last year. Somone might think that we are thinking "Oh no! They're on to us! Better dismantle this whole idea next year!"
 
Maybe it was just the blogospere circumstance that made it seem that way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom