TAM 2013

July 15, 2013 • 6:16 am

I was too busy going to talks to write about them, but they’ll all be up on the internet eventually, and I’ll let you know when they are.  It was a fun meeting, with a whole diversity of topics centered on skepticism.

One of the dramatic moments was a very acrimonious confrontation between two magicians on a five-person panel, with one of them accusing the other of pretending to be a psychic without revealing that it was just an act, since part of the notion of being an honest magician or psychic is, apparently, to let the audience know—at least implicitly—that you are a skilled actor and have no supernormal powers.

Randi gave some moving final remarks, telling us all that this was the best TAM conference ever, and then he choked up while recounting all the friends he’d made and hugs he’d received. (Randi is a hugger, and said that his ribs were sore, but that the pain was “delightful.”) It was a tearful moment for everyone.

It was announced that he’s going to have some surgery soon, and I hope it’s nothing serious. Randi had colon cancer and a bypass operation a while back, and came through with flying colors. He seems quite spry, and, though he’s 85, he’s the toughest old bird I’ve ever seen.

TAM is quite different from the few atheist meetings I’ve attended, for it’s about many things besides godlessness. Atheism is, in fact, a minor feature. There is also plenty of entertainment, including magic, which I love. I’d recommend people going at least once if they’re willing to endure the Vegas heat in July. (There’s no reason to leave the air-conditioned hotel, since all human needs can be met within its confines!)

Many people came up to me with some kind words for this website, which I much appreciated. I also got to meet two regular commenters, Sastra and articulett.

Thanks to D. J. Grothe for inviting me, all the wonderful people who supported the meeting and the speakers, and, of course, The Amazing Randi for getting it all going.

33 thoughts on “TAM 2013”

    1. The accuser was Jeremy Ian Swiss, but I don’t trust myself to remember the name of the other guy. The accused was quite defensive (of course) and said “I came here expecting this kind of attack,” whereupon Swiss interrupted loudly and said, “Yeah, but not because you’re psychic!” A very quick wit!

      3. The archetypal example of course was Uri Geller, who James Randi famously exposed.

        And reading Randi’s accounts, one can sense his frustration with magicians who break the convention that, no matter how much magicians may claim it’s ‘magic’ on stage, it is implicitly understood between them and the audience that it is conjuring tricks and illusions.

      4. I’m surprised that Jamy Ian Swiss is still so angry at Mark Edwards; I thought that psychic episode was ancient history for Mark. Other magicians are angry and accuse Mark of giving away their precious secrets, but as Penn Jillette said they should invent some new acts (only he didn’t say it in such a nice way). I’d like to know what card trick it was that Mark learned from Randi …

        1. (oops… I can’t get names straight – that’s ‘Edward’ without an s)

    2. The Magic Fight was Jamy Ian Swiss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamy_Ian_Swiss vs. Mark Edward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Edward

      Sadly, I had to miss the panel (I really really wanted to go to that one) because I was being interviewed at the time, but a friend recorded the audio & I heard it later. Totally intense stuff.

      Jamy was absolutely right re: Edward. It’s just that when Jamy goes Full Jamy, sparks fly (to say the *very* least). I love the guy to bits (he’s a dear friend), but I would not want to be on his bad side.

  3. Sounds like a blast! I hope Randi’s health is okay. I know he had to go into hospital briefly before TAM and missed some engagements but was determined to make it to TAM. He sure is a tough guy that’s for sure!

  4. I cannot imagine why you would not want to go outside & see the surrounding desert! That city is an ecological insanity – sucking water from surround areas in a totally inappropriate place. I forsee its demise as the US west runs dry…

    1. It is funny holding a skeptic’s conference in a land of illusion, delusion, and denial, one where the economy was built on exploiting escapism and statistical ignorance. Irony is wonderful stuff.

        2. Indeed. Further debate is precluded. It’s good to be the boss.

          Next topic?

  5. Someday I’ll get to a TAM. If for nothing else, to meet people like you, Sastra, articulett, etc. Though I am sure much else would be interesting and fun as well.

  6. I’ve been to several TAMs and heard Jamy Ian Swiss speak twice. He always strikes me as a preachy sanctimonious jackass. If you don’t agree with him on fuzzy issues, such as the proper demarcation of scientific skepticism, then you are not a ‘real’ skeptic.

    2. I don’t get that impression at all. For example, his TAM 2012 talk couldn’t have been less preachy, sanctimonious, or jack-ass-y.

      And, um, there *is* a proper demarcation of scientific skepticism. It’s a matter of fact, not opinion, so I don’t see what the problem is there.

      1. If I remember accurately, Swiss threw someone under the bus (Bill Maher maybe?) for holding some belief that Swiss found contrary to proper skepticism. And then at another point in the speech he chastised other skeptics for being too hard on religious folks or something. The whole thing was internally contradictory and just embarrassing. Especially for someone who styles himself some paragon of rationality.

        And demarcation problems are notoriously intractable. To claim there is some matter of fact that resolves this thorny problem is just confused. I realize that folks like Loxton and Drescher think otherwise, but they are just mistaken.

  7. I’ve wanted to go to TAM ever since I first heard of it! I came to atheism via skepticism after reading two books, Not Necessarily the New Age, and Randi’s Flim Flam. I’d never heard of some of the stuff in either book but it started me on a skeptical outlook toward extraordinary claims.

    …then one day I realized the main tenets of Christianity could have been faked or made up, and certainly hadn’t been proved. Au revoir, religion!

  8. Do they still allow smoking in Vegas casinos? It’s been a few years, but my memory is that the air quality was poor both indoors, due to the fact that gambling addicts are often addicted to tobacco and other substances, and outdoors, where there are many cars along the strip.

    1. Yes, the casinos still allow smoking, but not in their restaurants. The newer casinos have more efficient hvac systems, so the air turnover is a lot better. Even the older casinos have upgraded their hvac systems as well. So the smoke problem has improved quite a bit. Also, it depends on which casinos as well. Go into the Bellagio, for example, and I don’t notice it. The Suncoast,I do notice it after a little while. The Strip I can’t say as I never go for a walk there.

  10. You don’t have to meet people in real life to hear from them that this is a great website! It’s a brilliant website! I’ve learned so much about so many different things here, and seen amazing photos and videos that otherwise I wouldn’t have.

    Keep up the good work! You work very hard too, so don’t feel bad if you compare yourself to S. Pinker!

  11. It would be quite hard for me to attend a TAM in Vegas. I’d probably have to sell my mom on eBay to get the money…

    So, Jerry, I’ll take this opportunity to congrat you on your great website.

    I’m also 2/3 of the way through WEIT (the book) and I enjoy every single page of it. I have not been this delighted since Richard Dawkins’ “The Greatest Show on Earth”. I think your book may even dethrone it as my favorite on the subject of evolution.

    So, thanks for the website, and a gazillion thanks for the book!

  12. It was a great time. It was a pleasure meeting you as well, although it was only for a moment (I was hanging out at the little speakers soiree). I will definitely be going again, it was all around positive, constructive and reminded me of why I became interested in science and skepticism in the first place.

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