For the half-dozen people who care, my Boskone panel schedule for this year, with a few comments. I don't know for sure that this is the final final version-- I might get added to something else-- but it's probably pretty close.
Fri 8:00pm, Visiting Japan
If we attend the Worldcon in Yokohama this August, what knowledge should we bring along? What ten phrases are essential? What societal differences should we be prepared to accommodate? What are Japanese SF fans like? What will we eat? How much could all this cost? Vince Docherty, Chad Orzel, Peggy Rae Sapienza
I'm sure I'm not the only person who suggested this as a topic. Kate and I are well into the process of planning our trip (we're going for about three weeks, a bit before, and a bit after Worldcon), so I've been thinking about some of this stuff a lot recently. And it's always fun to get to drag out funny Japan stories.
Sat 1:00pm, Spooky Action at a Distance
The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, Bell's Theorem, and other phenomena. Chad Orzel
This is sort of "Son of 'Weird Quantum Phenomena'" (from last year). I think I've got a couple of decent ways to explain EPR and Bell's Inequality, though I should really double-check to make sure I can fit them in 55 minutes...
Sat 4:00pm, SF and the History of Science
Let's look at SF (or historical fantasy) involving the development of science: something that's interested writers in our genre from DeCamp to Stephenson. Are tales where certain technology _isn't_ developed more fun? Why not change the laws of physics in a story? Can you set true science in the ancient world, or does it begin with the Enlightenment? Does explaining both history and science double the infodumps? Guy Consolmagno, Gregory Feeley, Chad Orzel
As previously mentioned here. I've been reading a bit of history of science stuff in order to get a better grip on this (about which more later), but I might be overthinking the whole thing-- I haven't been on a panel with these two, but I've been to panels that they were on. I might not be needed to say anything...
And that's it for the moment.
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Visiting Japan: Japanese SF fans are probably like any others but more extreme. They tend to take exaggerate appearances. They may be dressed as their favorite character but they may be over the top (hard to describe this but you will see).
The Japanese are very polite. You will constantly be welcomed and thanked. Always try to be polite in return. If you are invited to someone's home, remember to remove your shoes at the entryway. Don't speak louder than normal but do try to speak a little slower so people will have a chance to understand what you say (they are not stupid; just not well versed in english)
What you will eat: If you stick to Japanese food, your food bill will be cheaper than if you eat Western food. They have Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds and Dunkin' Donuts. Stay away from these places as they are pricey and besides, why eat junk? There are food stands by the railway stations which are always a good source of cheap nourishment (udon or soba noodles, curry & rice). You can also go to the basementes of Japanese dept stores and buy what you want. These are food emporiums with a huge variety to choose from. There are also little neighborhood restaurants which are cheaper than eating at a large, fancy restaurant. Don't ask what it is you are eating; sometimes it is best not to know.
Most people will understand a little english (they study english in school) but are shy about trying to speak. Many
signs where tourists are likely to be will be in english (sometimes strange english). I don't know about Yokohama, but in Tokyo the train lines are color coded ("for stupid foreigners" said my mother). They probably are in Yokohama as well.
It would probably help to get a book of commonly used Japanese phrases. If you need help finding one, let me know. I live very close to Japantown and the Japanese bookstore.
For the record, I am a Japanese American, born in Los Angeles. I moved to Japan when I was 13 and didn't know any Japanese (although both of my parents are completely bilingual). I lived there for 2 years - it was an eye opening experience but I learned to love it.