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Category: Evolution • Science
Posted on: October 27, 2009 9:25 PM, by PZ Myers
Why? Because Jerry Coyne can mention this amazing conference, I can take a look at the luminaries speaking at it, and decide at the drop of a hat that I'm going. So this weekend, I'll be spending my Halloween at a major conference on evolution. Yay!
Look forward to lots of liveblogging (I hope…if they have wi-fi in the conference halls. If not, there will be some massive data dumps in the evenings.)
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Comments
Posted by: mxh
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October 27, 2009 9:50 PM
Nice. Too bad you have to decide between "biology" and "history." Wish I could have a free schedule.
ps. give Ron Numbers hell for me.
Posted by: Zeno
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October 27, 2009 9:54 PM
But aren't you supposed to be working on your book? I seem to remember hearing about some book.
Posted by: Scott Hatfield, OM
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October 27, 2009 9:55 PM
Shit.
There are a good dozen speakers at this event that I would gladly liquidate an investment or two to hear in person. Sober, Ruse, Dennett, Kingsley, Hauser, Shubin, etc. etc.
Why can't there be a paid leave of absence from teaching high school?
BTW, I sent you an email regarding that contest. Did you receive it?
(begrudgingly) Have a good time. I guess I can hope that some of the proceedings will be made available on-line.
Sigh.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:03 PM
I ♥ sabbaticals
Some day......
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:04 PM
Looks like a meeting for you alright. Have fun.
*Mumble mumble report mumble end of month mumble...*
Posted by: Diane G.
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October 27, 2009 10:06 PM
Please cover Lewontin. Disinterestedly, if possible...
Jeez, I'd be jumping back & forth between those 2 programs--bummer one has to choose. Gonna stick with the biologists, PZ? You might get more challenge from the artsy-you-know-whatsies.
Posted by: Kel, OM | October 27, 2009 10:10 PM
That is just amazing. I really hope they throw the lectures up on youtube or put them to download on iTunes. Part of communicating science to the public is putting the information up for us laymen to digest ;)
Posted by: Doug Little
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October 27, 2009 10:10 PM
I know this is off topic but I couldn't resist. I was just perusing the TGSOE amazon discussions and I found this gem in one of the threads. You can get a warped sense of perspective reading science blogs, and then you step out of the comfort zone and get blindsided by "Teh Stpid". Arrrggghhhh it burns, it burns, get it off.....
Enjoy.
Posted by: PZ Myers
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October 27, 2009 10:14 PM
I'm probably going to skip the history/philosophy talks for the biology talks...it's too bad I can't split myself in two.
Jerry Coyne says the conference will be taped and probably made available on the conference site.
Posted by: gman | October 27, 2009 10:18 PM
Good! We'll see you there! I'm a philosopher co-teaching (with a geneticist) a course on creationism, ID, evolutionary theory. We've been looking forward to this gig all term long.
Look for the Red Deer contingent!
Posted by: defective robot
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October 27, 2009 10:21 PM
Oh crap! You finally come in to Chicago for a great conference and I can't go! There really is a god, and he hates me!
Posted by: JohnnieCanuck
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October 27, 2009 10:24 PM
Red Deer, Alberta?
Is that an island in Creationist country or are you smack in the centre of them?
Posted by: llewelly | October 27, 2009 10:28 PM
Scott Hatfield, OM | October 27, 2009 9:55 PM:
Surely if you had really important skills, you'd have a job that gave you a leave of absence!
Welcome back Scott - it seems like ages since I saw you commenting here.
Posted by: Ali Marie | October 27, 2009 10:32 PM
Awesome. I'm a UChicago student, and I plan on being there for as many of the lectures as I can make. So, perhaps I shall introduce myself in person while there.
Posted by: Zeno
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October 27, 2009 10:32 PM
You know how it is, Scott. Whenever there's a budget crunch or something, they put "nonessential personnel" on leaves or furloughs. High school teachers can't ever be spared. They are the epitome of essential personnel.
Posted by: ChicagoMolly | October 27, 2009 10:35 PM
O dear. There are just way too many things to read in a day, and I only just learned about this. And now it's too late to put in for a vacation day at work, but at least I'll make the Saturday sessions.
But I'll miss Dan Dennett!!! Waaaaaah!
Unless I call in sick on Friday.
But no, that would be wrong.
Koff. Koff.
Wheeze.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:38 PM
Scott Hatfield: Why can't there be a paid leave of absence from teaching high school?
Oregon not requiring furloughs? Your state must be in good shape!
Posted by: speedweasel
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October 27, 2009 10:43 PM
You've already split yourself in two, countless times over, PZ. As I'm sure I dont have to tell you :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_division
Posted by: Zeno
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October 27, 2009 10:43 PM
Oregon? I think Scott is in California. In Fresno.
And he promised me a beer that I have yet to collect. (Oh, if only I were a drinker!)
Posted by: llewelly | October 27, 2009 10:48 PM
Piglet flu to the rescue!Posted by: mrcreosote
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October 27, 2009 10:50 PM
PZ, any plans to actually vist Darwin, NT in your junket down-under? Given your affinity for the amber fluid, it would seem a shame for you to pass up the chance at downing a few 'Darwin stubbies'.
They should hold a Darwin conference in Darwin.
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:51 PM
Drool. Brain food.Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:51 PM
Oregon? I think Scott is in California. In Fresno.
oopsie. Well, then...
I'm actually surprised they're keeping schools in session and not requiring furloughs. It's not like that state has been able to keep any kind of social welfare state infrastructure operable since Prop 13.....
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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October 27, 2009 10:54 PM
I musta been thinking Mark Hatfield or something
Posted by: Coturnix
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October 27, 2009 11:04 PM
Oooh - jealous. My brother sent me the program before it was even posted online and I was suffering in silence ever since. Want!
Posted by: Kel, OM | October 27, 2009 11:24 PM
If so, this is excellent news.Posted by: R. Schauer
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October 27, 2009 11:30 PM
Sheesh, I'm not doing much this weekend either (...thinking gal-pal is in Paris and I'm home alone) Chicago isn't that far either. Hmmmm.
Posted by: rawnaeris
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October 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Man and here I'm stuck at Uni down south. *pout* Can't wait to see any videos that get posted!
Posted by: pman | October 28, 2009 12:10 AM
JohnnieCanuck -- Yes, Red Deer, Alberta. I'm the geneticist half of the contingent. Red Deer College is an island of sanity in a sea of YECs, Shoah-deniers, and white supremacists. I teach their children, that's reward enough for me.
Posted by: Snail | October 28, 2009 12:44 AM
They should hold a Darwin conference in Darwin
They did! Darwin 200: Evolution and Biodiversity
Posted by: taranaki
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October 28, 2009 12:59 AM
PZ - In the basement of Ida Noyes Hall is a fine establishment called "The Pub". I remember spending some time there in the past. And I don't remember some other time I may have spent there. Any chance of a get together for Chicago pharyngulites?
https://studentactivities.uchicago.edu/services/pub.shtml
Technically a private club but "eligible non-members or guests of members pay $3 at the door" - and "The pub boasts 24 taps, 100 + bottled beers."
There is wireless all over campus but you need to login. Jerry should be able to help you with that. The business school is right next to Ida Noyes - the Winter Garden is a nice place to rest with good wifi.
Posted by: Scott Hatfield, OM
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October 28, 2009 1:33 AM
24 taps? 100 bottled beers?
This just gets worse and worse. Not only can I not wrangle a furlough from my apparently essential job, but I'm missing a sudsfest.
It's almost like there's no God.
Posted by: Zeno
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October 28, 2009 1:49 AM
Well, that's what we keep telling you, Scott!
Amen.
Posted by: Glenn Davey | October 28, 2009 4:32 AM
I'm also writing a book PZ. It's a skeptical primer with a thorough debunking of the claims by the religious faith I was indoctrinated into as a child: Jehovah's Witnesses.
I'm aware there have been books published about them already, but most of them are sour-grapes accounts by card-carrying Christians with axes to grind about a 'cult' and 'incorrect teachings'. It's an insular cult and the members are often faith-heads for life.
I'm hoping to meet you next year before I complete the book, and I'm sure the Atheist Convention in Melbourne will be quite an experience for all of us. For me, it will be like an oasis of good science.
Anyway, enjoy your conference this weekend. I'm quite jealous.
I've gone from mocking ones like David Attenborough's "millions and millions of years" to absolutely LOVING evolution. Can't wait to spread some reality through my book.
All the best!
Posted by: Diane G.
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October 28, 2009 4:38 AM
Showin' your age, what?
Me, too. :-)
Heck, I remember Wayne Morse...
Posted by: Glenn Davey
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October 28, 2009 5:17 AM
Testing, one, two...
Posted by: Sili
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October 28, 2009 6:42 AM
Nah. Scott from Oregon has infested your brain.Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | October 28, 2009 7:53 AM
Iä! Iä!
The mind boggles...
Posted by: pogo
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October 28, 2009 8:41 AM
I hope he has a ticket. Apparently the organizers accidentally let too many people register for the conference and are now over capacity. Here's what one of the organizers had to say about letting extra people in:
Posted by: Josh
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October 28, 2009 10:50 AM
PZ, Do you think you'll be having a beer anywhere after the conference on either Friday or Saturday? I haven't gotten a chance to meet you yet, and now you'll be visiting my city!
Even better, will Jerry Coyne and some of the other big names I'm seeing here be going out for a beer as well?
Posted by: daveau
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October 28, 2009 11:19 AM
Fuckety fuck. Naturally, my parents are coming to Chicago to visit this weekend. From Minnesota.
Posted by: Luke | October 28, 2009 11:20 AM
Yes! I've been registered for this for a while. Unfortunately I won't be able to hang out after the conference very much, but perhaps I'll see some of you there.
Posted by: recovering catholic | October 28, 2009 11:20 AM
Woo hoo! Got in, got my reservations at the Ramada. The conference registration link from the U of C website was broken, so I just went to the cached link. This whole thing is only $40, people!
I went to school with Doug Schemski--hope I get to see him to see how Burley Karfo is doing...
Posted by: taranaki
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October 28, 2009 11:23 AM
Pogo (#39) -
I think there is enough room. Rockefeller Chapel (Thursday evening) holds 1,700. Palevsky (Biology) holds 483. Ida Noyes Theater (History and Philosophy) holds 250.
The bigger concern is how many Pharyngulites can fit into The Pub. Maybe we should gather in the main social center on campus - Regenstein Library. The University of Chicago - where fun comes to die!
Posted by: recovering catholic | October 28, 2009 11:49 AM
Oops--now I'm wondering if I'm really registered, since I used the cached link. The site took my credit card readily enough! I have an email query to the conference organizers.
PZ--maybe you could put in a good word for me, as you told me I was crazy to fly all the way to Minneapolis to hear Dawkins speak last March...but I think you meant it in an admiring way...
Posted by: Jerry Coyne | October 28, 2009 9:16 PM
We're full up now, and the fire marshals are going to make sure that there is no overage: once all seats in each room are occupied, that's it. Sadly, given the number of known walk-ins, I'd recommend against coming if you weren't able to register.
The Thursday evening plenary session, however, is free and open to all, and the Chapel holds >1000 people.
You'll be able to see it all online if you can't make it.
Posted by: Kel, OM | October 28, 2009 10:26 PM
Jerry, you've made my day.Posted by: Luke | October 29, 2009 3:23 PM
Also, if any car-having northside Chicagoans are planning to attend the conference, maybe we could carpool?
lholladay at gmail.com
Posted by: Stevenb | October 30, 2009 11:07 PM
Damn, I've been too busy to do anything but skim. I didn't realize you were on my campus.
I've seen the adverts for the Darwin festivities but I have kept thinking.. I'll look at that when I get a chance. :-(
It should have been a clue when the young guy popped into our office with what appeared to be a brochure.. asking for directions to Serano's dinosaur lab. Fun Fact :-)... It's above the old Particle Accelerator bay. How many people have an old Particle Accelerator bay in their building?
If you're going to be around through Saturday night, Hyde Park puts on a good Halloween. There are a ton of kids in the pagan garb. The street adjacent the Metra line, 2-3 blocks? east of Rockefeller Chapel, shuts down and everyone dresses up their victorian houses.
The coolest bit isn't reserved for kids though. Rockefeller Chapel plays a classic horror movie every Halloween night. Last year it was the original Phantom of the Opera with a live organist on the massive Church organ. it was very cool, though the seats are pretty hard, even with the pad.