I won’t write on this again, but essentially, yesterday I was so unwell that even I didn’t want to be around myself – so, the following items have done a pretty good job of cheering me up! Hello to the world of the living, this revolting zombie-death-like cold can’t last for much longer, I hope!
I should also be updating (gah, another think on the ‘must do list’) about what I’m doing at Dragon*Con, but Prof Barbara Dresher has a great round-up here of some don’t-miss events (some of which I’m taking part in as well), so check out her site at ICBS Everywhere and you can get an idea of some of the offerings at the end of this month. I can’t believe it’s coming up so fast (and yes, it’s another incentive to get better before I head Atlanta-way! Ick…)
Firstly – with big thanks to Laurie Miller Tarr – help out this great musician!
Monty Harper is a singer/songwriter who writes smart, entertaining music for kids. His latest project is “Songs From the Science Frontier,” a collection of kid’s songs that goes beyond teaching science facts, and actually portrays the process of doing real science in a fun, engaging way. And the best part? You can help make it happen.
Monty is crowdsourcing the funding for the project through Kickstarter. You can pledge any amount and, if he reaches his pledge goal, you’ll be contributing to the creation of a great resource for teaching kids about the wonders of science.
You can get more details on the project at his website, and you can hear an interview and a sample of Monty’s music on the 8/6 episode of Skeptically Speaking. Or, if you’re already sold, you can go directly to his Kickstarter page and make a pledge. But get clicking; he’s only got until Sunday, 8/22 to reach his goal.
Finally – remember all that fuss about Dr Phil Plait’s talk earlier this year? Here’s a copy that the JREF have put online. Enjoy!
Phil Plait – Don’t Be A Dick from James Randi Educational Foundati on Vimeo.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fantastic talk!
I know it spawned significant debate amongst the skeptical community, where some whom Phil would probably put in the ‘warriors’ camp feel you absolutely SHOULD get in people’s faces to challenge their beliefs, if for no other reason than to challenge their audience to think for themselves and consider the evidence, but I personally agree with Phil – going toe-to-toe with a true-believer only strengthens their belief, as if your disbelief somehow validates their position, and furthermore damages your credibility with any observers.
Calm, reasoned discussion however CAN influence them or their audience without painting you in a poor light, even if you don’t get the satisfaction of seeing them cast aside their belief system and embrace reality right before your eyes.
I do wish Phil was coming to TAM Oz…
It must be some genetically engineered super bug to take Podblack down. Am now officially collecting tinned food and storing weapons at my country compound to forestall the effect of the coming apocalypse.
Gah, it’s awful. :/ It’s now slightly over a week from when I first started feeling ill and it’s still hanging around. I suspect that I just have to stop doing so much.
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