Not to gamble, but to The Amazing Meeting 2013. There’s a great lineup of speakers, and it promises to be a lot of fun. I don’t go to many atheist/skeptic meetings, but this is one shouldn’t be missed.
Posting will be light in the next week, but I’ll try to take lots of photos. I’m told that the Amazing Randi himself may do magic tricks at the speakers’ reception.
The portentous video:
I think they’ll be selling my book, so if you’re there and want an autograph, give me a shout. And if you want a cat drawn in, “Felidae” is the magic word.
Given the location, some of the speakers should maybe give a good rebuttal of “Pascal’s wager”.
Would it be useful or even appropriate? It is theology, not exposing the fakery as much as playing along.
[Admittedly it is *bad* theology, one can drive a truck through it. Say, it is trying to make uniform probabilities on an infinite space of time, and you can’t do that.
But all theology is bad, it is evidence-free sophistry. Details shouldn’t matter.]
“But all theology is bad, it is evidence-free sophistry.”
We definitely agree with each other here.
“Would it be useful or even appropriate? It is theology, not exposing the fakery as much as playing along.”
I was just making a joke, but you’re right here.
Wager = Gambling = Las Vegas’ claim to fame.
Two years ago, my (adult) son visited me in Florida during the winter and we drove over to Randi’s place. We toured the (no-longer) office and Randi invited us into his inner office and truly amazed us with stories and tricks, and answers to questions*. He is a very remarkable person.
*One question he would not answer “How did you do that?”
With a banjo on your knee?
It looks like a very good list of interesting speakers (including a solid lineup of women speakers). Wish I could afford to go.
One day I will have to go. I find I’m in such an ennui that I’m too lazy — I’m even to lazy to take vacation! 🙂
and too lazy to use the right amount of o’s. 😉
Your book will also be on sale in the bookstore at http://www.AAABoston2013.com …. We just need someone to be there to sign them 🙂 … BTW more than a half dozen additional speakers are being added to the website today!
Could you question the JREF’s hang up on testability for skepticism. Many people are up in arms because it is a blatant excuse to give religious claims a pass.