…and this is a 
In which I trade Kos for Foo
Category: Personal
Posted on: May 10, 2007 6:00 AM, by PZ Myers
I'm a traitor. Remember how I was going to lead the Science Caucus at YearlyKos? I was really looking forward to that and we had some great ideas for a productive session. I hope who ever takes over for me can use some of that.
That's right — I'm not going to be able to make it to YearlyKos this time around. I'm bad. I'm selfish.
What came up is an invitation to something called a Science Foo camp, sponsored by Google, O'Reilly, and Nature … and it sounds titillating enough that I just can't turn it down. So I'm abandoning the Kossacks this time around, but I'm sure there's enough science talent going there that I'll be easily replaced.
Come on, it sounds like Foo camp will be nerdvana. How could I possibly miss it?
Comments
A major science exhibition in Washington DC, "Bodies", undoubtedly has great educational value, but there are serious ethical questions about the bodies displayed, was pointed out by Wayne Madsen and others. Given that this comes from the Chinese government, it is legitimate to ask questions.
http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/bodies.html
Posted by: bernarda | May 10, 2007 6:29 AM
You had me worried. I thought, for a blurry-eyed second, that was Science Woo camp.
Posted by: Ray | May 10, 2007 6:29 AM
I was going to try to make some kind of Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl pun here, but Nevermind.
Posted by: RavenT | May 10, 2007 6:39 AM
Wow. The description sounds like geek heaven, especially since it's invitation only.
Just ... wow.
(Jealous noises)
Posted by: Gillian | May 10, 2007 7:04 AM
#1 I assume you mean ethical questions about the procurement of the cadavers and not the displaying of the same. I saw this exhibit in Miami a few months ago and while the staff on hand was friendly and knowledgeable about human anatomy they weren't very forthcoming about background information. I did take my 11 yr old to see it and it is a beautifully done exhibit, ethical questions notwithstanding.
Posted by: Fernando Magyar | May 10, 2007 7:11 AM
It does sound like a great opportunity, but I for one am disappointed. I was hoping to meet you at YK. Now I'll have to put on my snowshoes and mukluks for the trek to Morris. Leave a night light on for me, would you?
Posted by: xebecs | May 10, 2007 8:08 AM
Hi PZ - you'll have an absolute blast! I went last year and it was such an unusual and stimulating experience. Hope you'll blog about it.
Posted by: Mark Trodden | May 10, 2007 8:38 AM
No PZ at YK? Oh well, I probably couldn't have afforded to go anyway, so this will save me money and reduce my carbon footprint.
Posted by: Ian | May 10, 2007 9:16 AM
Congratulations on getting the Science Foo Camp invitation! What a fabulous honor! It seems like a chance in a lifetime opportunity, especially since it sounds like people don't usually get invited multiple times. You'd better take advantage of the opportunity when you have it.
Hope to see you at Yearly Kos in 2008!
Posted by: Odonata | May 10, 2007 9:18 AM
Slightly off topic, but I have just discovered a great site called www.ted.com. Many of you may be aware of it, but if not there are some great lectures from Daniel Dennett, E.O Wilson and Richard Dawkins among many others. I am more interested in the social psychology stuff but I am sure readers of this site will find something to enjoy ..... and it's free!
Posted by: James West | May 10, 2007 9:19 AM
"Google, O'Reilly, and Nature"
I thought Bill O'Reilly for a second there.
Whew!
Posted by: Coragyps | May 10, 2007 9:29 AM
Your Science Foo is no match for the Evil Ninja Cyborgs! Mwuaaahaahaahaahaa!!!
Posted by: DouglasG | May 10, 2007 9:38 AM
So it's like Burning Man, only for geeks instead of artists? Do they supply your camping equipment or do you have to schlep it? Does anyone get laid there? Are you going to rustle up a presentation? What on?
Details!
Posted by: Molly, NYC | May 10, 2007 11:32 AM
Maybe. I don't know yet.
Hotel rooms, and apparently really good food is provided.
Well, I won't.
I suppose I'll have to cobble up a few things, but I don't know what yet -- I've got a few months.
Posted by: PZ Myers | May 10, 2007 11:43 AM
Yay, PZ in my neck of the woods. Let us know if you'll have time to hang out for coffee or beer or whatever while you're in town.
Posted by: Stacy | May 10, 2007 11:49 AM
One of the folks from Cosmic Variance went last year, and blogged about it afterward. It sounds amazing.
Posted by: todd. | May 10, 2007 1:26 PM
Here's a Google result, with the relevant entries at CV.
Posted by: todd. | May 10, 2007 1:28 PM
This summer in Colorado we're launching what we expect will be the first of many 'camps' around the world that are focused on science, critical thinking and skeptical inquiry. Sort of an open 'SciFoo' where anyone can participate. See http://barcamp.org/SkeptiCamp for more details.
Posted by: Reed E | May 10, 2007 3:35 PM
Oh, it's that O'Reilly. I guess that's okay. But if you're on the west coast, you really should come up to Puget Sound to visit your friends and relatives and organize a mass mooning of the Discovery Institute. We could make it the first of an annual tradition.
Posted by: John McKay | May 10, 2007 6:40 PM
I guess Something's in the Way of that.
Posted by: False Prophet | May 13, 2007 5:04 PM
I just got the invitation, too. Will take a couple of days to decide to go or not to go - sounds terrific!
Posted by: coturnix | May 15, 2007 8:55 AM