…and this is a 
What with all my flitting about, I got a few questions about whether I was ever planning to do any talks here in Minnesota. Yes! Yes, I am!
On Monday, 16 November, I'm going to be doing a debate. I hate debates, but I've been dragged into this one. It's being promoted by the local creationist loons and CASH, and I'd like to see a good turnout from the sensible, scientific, godless community. I'll be arguing with a loud clown, Jerry Bergman, on "Should Intelligent Design Be Taught in the Schools?" I think you can guess which side I'm going to be on.
On Thursday, 3 December, I'll be back on the Twin Cities campus to give a public lecture, again sponsored by CASH, on development, neuroscience, and evolution. It will be all science, so the creationist kooks have no part in this one.
Oh, and there will be a few non-local events in November, too. I'm giving the keynote at the IGERT symposium in Bloomington, Indiana. This isn't a public lecture, I'm afraid — it's part of an evo-devo meeting. If you want to register, don't do it for me — I'm most looking forward to hearing my grad school advisor, Chuck Kimmel, tell us what he's been up to, and there are a whole series of enticing talks planned.
And don't forget Skepticon II! I'll be at Missouri State University, 20-22 November.
That's it for my Fall travel plans — I'm mainly going to be home, working. Then I erupt into a whirlwind tour of the planet in the spring.
Comments
Posted by: Glen Davidson
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October 12, 2009 10:20 PM
In general, not a good idea. In the specific instance, how would I know?
The whining about Dawkins not debating that practiced liar Stephen Meyer is clearly calculated to selling his deceptive book--which would work better with Dawkins' cooperation, but works anyway as they lie about why Dawkins won't treat Meyer like a legitimate debater.
Hope this debate turns out well--meaning, I hope there are ground rules that keep creationist lies to a minimum so that at least half of them can be answered somewhat adequately.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p
Posted by: EricB
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October 12, 2009 10:21 PM
I will be at your Springfield, MO waiting to hear some great information. I have even talked a fellow transplant to the area to come with me. Missouri is not the best place to find skeptics, science "believers" , or people who believe in the science of evolution. In fact if my employer found out I was attendingg, there is a good chance I would catch a lot of local media coverage....and not in a good way.
Posted by: EricB
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October 12, 2009 10:24 PM
Forgot the word "meeting" in the first sentence of my previous post. Sorry
Posted by: PZ Myers
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October 12, 2009 10:26 PM
One of the things I insisted on in this debate is a clear topic and format. I also landed an excellent moderator, Mark Borrello of the UMTC, a gentleman, scholar, historian, and serious student of biology, who will put up with no nonsense. It should be productive. Just ignore Bozo Bergman.
Posted by: MaleficVTwin
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October 12, 2009 10:28 PM
Will this debate be recorded? I'd love to hear it.
Posted by: Nathan
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October 12, 2009 10:57 PM
I second that. I really enjoyed your presentation from Los Angeles - if it's recorded, I'd love to see a link.
Posted by: phyzit13
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October 12, 2009 11:03 PM
As a member of CASH I should know this...but is the debate going to take place in the cities as well?
Posted by: ricardos
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October 12, 2009 11:06 PM
Is there going to be free pizza?
Posted by: Sanction, Inherent Antonym
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October 12, 2009 11:08 PM
I put in a request for a sign-language interpreter for the debate, and CASH responded six minutes later with an e-mail saying that they'd be happy to arrange one.
I've used interpreters for over 20 years. That was the fastest response I've ever received.
CASH just got a new member.
Posted by: hje
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October 12, 2009 11:17 PM
At first read I thought of "CASH"--the googly-eyed stack of money in the Geico ads ; )
Posted by: llane1@unl.edu
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October 13, 2009 1:21 AM
Bergman appears to spend more time polishing his CV than studying science. Note that his PhD is from Columbia Pacific University (Harold Slusher also got a PhD from CPU). There appears to be major controversy over what sort of quackery caused CPU to be shut down.
Posted by: Kobra
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October 13, 2009 2:22 AM
I'm going to guess "Yes, for private schools anyway. Hell no for public schools."
Posted by: R. Schauer
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October 13, 2009 5:45 AM
How wonderful you are debating TWICE at the U of M, Twin Cities Campus, PZ.
The last time I checked, the "PZ Myers Defends Science From Creotards Chair" at the Campus Club looked a little cold and in need of some beer and munchies to warm it up for the year.
And if Prof. Borrello is interested he can christen and warm the brand spanking new "Richard Dawkins Chair to Redigo Plumbeus" which is at the Campus Club as well. It too comes complete with free beer and munchies just like your chair, PZ.
Knowing both Mark and Dr. Dawkins a tad, I think Dr. Dawkins would be highly-honored with Mark initiating the first setting and for filling in for him.
As usual, CASH and other friends and foes may attend this soiree as well...I'm thinking a before soiree is preferable for these events since the Campus Club has a tendency to close early.
What time are these events scheduled for and has a venue been selected? I need appropriate lead time to plan and alert the staff. Oh, I'm just so excited! I think I now know why the Romans threw christians to the lions.
Posted by: TGAP Dad
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October 13, 2009 9:59 AM
How's the book going, PZ? Seems you've been busy speakin' and pallin' around with the Deity lately.
(Sorry about the Palinesque language - couldn't help myself)
Posted by: Die Anyway
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October 13, 2009 1:32 PM
ID vs. Evolution, another false dichotomy debate. How come Half-assed, Semi-intelligent Design is never at the table? I think that's what we should be pushing. It would sort of make a mockery of an omniscient, omnipotent god (i.e. God) and help the kids see what a bankrupt notion the whole thing is.
Posted by: Draken
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October 13, 2009 1:48 PM
Oh my Dog, I've clicked on that link to the Minnesota loonies site:
That smells like YEC, and that doesn't rhyme with ID, does it?
This must be one of the Things I'd Really Rather You Didn't.
Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline.
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October 13, 2009 4:05 PM
Boo. It's gonna be serious. It'd be much more fun if you insisted on going first and did a Gish gallop of Biblical inconsistencies and inconvenient 'truths'. Ask him if he's wearing non-iron shirts, for instance.