Ed Brayton is a freelance writer and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
The YearlyKos conference has been renamed Netroots Nation and will be held this year in Austin, Texas from July 17-20. I am privileged to have been invited back to speak a second time on the science and politics panel. I haven't decided what I will speak on yet, there are several possibilities to choose from. We don't have an exact date and time yet for the panel. It will be moderated by my old friend DarkSyde from DailyKos, who will have more details, including all the other speakers, on the DailyKos front page early Saturday morning. Any Dispatches readers who are planning to attend or just live in the area, please drop me a line and we'll try and arrange a meeting for lunch or dinner at the conference.
Comments
Here! If you can stand the heat, we should meet at one of our many patio venues. I would suggest Jorge's on Hancock Drive. I have no idea if the conference is downtown (most likely), or at one of the northern venues, but Jorge's works in either case.
'Course, if it's downtown, there are other possibilities.
Posted by: Russell | May 9, 2008 7:30 PM
Holy crap, Ed. I'm totally there.
But, Russell, come on, there are better places to eat. What kind of food you like, Ed?
Posted by: Braxton Thomason | May 9, 2008 9:32 PM
If you're still looking for a bit of subject matter for your talk, you might consider exploring the notion that the teaching of ID is actually going to weaken us competitively on the world stage. By dumbing down science (and raising the level of "authority" in the realm of knowledge) I think we are creating a class of people who won't be able to support the scientific innovation that we must have in the future (much less create it themselves). I don't think enough attention has been given to the economic danger of teaching intelligent design (and the whole war on science). It seems to me to be a whole new angle of attack on the forces of darkness. I'm not sure it would be the substance of your whole talk, and maybe it's not even in your expertise, but maybe it's a chance for you to add it to the conversation.
Posted by: Pablo | May 10, 2008 8:39 AM
Braxton must be relatively new here to not know that I am a BBQ fanatic. I am definitely up for sampling some of Austin's best brisket while I'm there. I know that Jeff Hebert is from the area as well. The conference is at the convention center. I don't know the area at all, so I'll trust my readers on where we should go.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | May 10, 2008 10:19 AM
Hrm. Odd. I've been reading this blog for at least a year, but not on a regular basis until... maybe December 2007? And I didn't know you liked BBQ. Well.
I'd suggest Rudy's or the Salt Lick, which is quite a drive.
Posted by: Braxton Thomason | May 10, 2008 10:31 AM
Stubb's on Red River has good BBQ, is a short walk from the convention center, and is a traditional Austin place. It would do for lunch or early dinner -- at night, it turns into a music spot. There's County Line, overlooking the lake, but it also is a bit of a drive.
Posted by: Russell | May 10, 2008 1:21 PM
Habana Calle Seis - comidas cubanas.
Downtown and larrupin' good! And I'll buy the first round of mojitos.....
I'm putting this on my calendar - #2 daughter lives in Austin and I'll bet I can find a room!
Posted by: Coragyps | May 10, 2008 1:24 PM
Stubb's is a good call; should have thought of that myself.
I'd say no to the County Line though :P
Posted by: Braxton Thomason | May 10, 2008 1:25 PM
Don't forget that DaveScot lives in Austin. Maybe he could convince Dr. Dr. Demsbki to come up and meet you guys for a drink.
Posted by: terryf | May 10, 2008 3:04 PM
Stubb's is a fairly famous place. And if the music is good, going there at night is fine by me. I'd also like to take in some Austin nightlife. I'd especially love it if either the Asylum Street Spankers or the Gourds happened to be playing near home while I'm there.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | May 10, 2008 9:34 PM
I assume we can make more concrete plans as the date approaches. Looking forward to it.
Posted by: Braxton Thomason | May 12, 2008 4:40 PM