tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post3390042812330375851..comments2023-10-26T22:06:11.166+11:00Comments on Metamagician3000: John Wilkins on the GAC speakersRussell Blackfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431324430596809958noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-65583778320041653712012-06-17T16:52:49.342+10:002012-06-17T16:52:49.342+10:00Thanks for clarifying that, John.Thanks for clarifying that, John.Russell Blackfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12431324430596809958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-4495478363764429622012-06-09T13:47:40.567+10:002012-06-09T13:47:40.567+10:00Coming in very late on this due to work commitment...Coming in very late on this due to work commitments and a failure to vanity Google (now rectified). Yes, I was immodest, but I had been approached for the 2010 event and then not contacted further, so I was annoyed. But I got it all wrong.<br /><br />AronRa was paid for not by the GAC but by some other folk who wanted him there and who raised funds to get him. I was very glad to finally meet him and it was a Good Thing, as he is not much better off for funds than I am, and he'd have had to pay his own way. He does really good work on this matter.<br /><br />I agree that the celebrity format is not really productive of anything other than rallying the troops. I would like to see some diversity of views at the next one - the few who did express differing views were not generally well received. However the social aspect fo the event was excellent.John S. Wilkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04417266986565803683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-56017388101602503352012-05-05T20:46:30.337+10:002012-05-05T20:46:30.337+10:00I shall explain. I barged in on Aron Ra talking to...I shall explain. I barged in on Aron Ra talking to Wilkins at the Hilton, and it turned out they had known each other from the internet beginnings or something, but had never met before. Aron Ra told us that he was there on invitation, and had his expenses paid. They could have paid Wilkins and another 20 locals 200 bucks each to speak, and I'm sure John would have been happy with that. It is a little bit hard to fathom.rorschachhttp://furiouspurpose.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-75564522329569255362012-05-05T20:02:08.002+10:002012-05-05T20:02:08.002+10:00What? Really? They spent $4000 flying in someone w...What? Really? They spent $4000 flying in someone who wasn't even speaking? If you're sure that's right, it sounds bizarre.<br /><br />Would anyone associated with running the convention like to comment on this?Russell Blackfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12431324430596809958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-69874430127148794772012-05-05T16:46:35.953+10:002012-05-05T16:46:35.953+10:002 things. I am pretty certain that Wilkins indeed ...2 things. I am pretty certain that Wilkins indeed is and was annoyed at not having been invited, and I think he (and conceivably you too, Russell)has a point. I mean, they flew in Aron Ra for 4000 dollars just to have him there, he didn't even speak or do anything at the GAC (and I know that because he told me). Secondly, as to panels, that seemed to work very well at the Dublin conference last year (and the one in Copenhagen the year before that to a degree), to get away from those pulpit lectures to more interaction, and more speakers and panelists, and IIRC it was very well received by the audience at the time.rorschachhttp://furiouspurpose.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-75737506436878694542012-05-03T19:53:33.795+10:002012-05-03T19:53:33.795+10:00Thanks, folks, for the heads-up that John recanted...Thanks, folks, for the heads-up that John recanted.<br /><br />I'm not actually sure that he should have - it was a good question, even if less self-effacing than I would have expected (and I can see how a misunderstanding of the format could have led to that!).<br /><br />And I think there is a legitimate question about the best format for it, and this is a good time to discuss it (in the immediate aftermath and all).Russell Blackfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12431324430596809958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-24091496790963717322012-05-03T16:14:34.673+10:002012-05-03T16:14:34.673+10:00I'd like to see a formal debate at the next co...I'd like to see a formal debate at the next convention on a topic of interest to the community, like for example, Free Will with participants like Dennett, Harris and... you!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456006889868172386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-84106752525026604642012-05-03T15:16:45.402+10:002012-05-03T15:16:45.402+10:00What Neil said. Linky link: http://evolvingthought...What Neil said. Linky link: http://evolvingthoughts.net/2012/04/update/Geraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12980942597800162053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24761391.post-90642789065945514422012-05-03T15:07:46.962+10:002012-05-03T15:07:46.962+10:00I think you're out of date on doings in the Wi...I think you're out of date on doings in the Wilkosphere (shame on you). He has since apologized for that post, saying that it was based on a misunderstanding of the GAC. He thought it was based around multiple papers, like an academic conference. Instead, it is based around big performances, *given that format* it made sense not to invite him.<br /><br />Whether it should have that format is of course a different question. I have never been, and don't intend to (so my impressions of the GAC are just that). So far as I can see, the format makes much more sense in the US context than here. There atheists are embattled community, and forming a sense of beloning among ordinary people is important. This kind of festival is an appropriate way to do this. But here atheists are not embattled (though of course there are battles that need to be fought) and there is no need to forge a community. In any case, it seems unlikely that in this format the kind of detailed discussion needed to actually advance debate is likely, which is why it has no attraction for me. Again, these remarks are made from the outside so I might have it wrong,Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586131772199247420noreply@blogger.com