M47 Programming Brainstorm - Revision history

Mle292: /* What Is Intelligence? */

2012-04-05T17:35:50Z

What Is Intelligence?

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	===What Is Intelligence?===		===What Is Intelligence?===
	Ted Chiang's "Understand" asks and then attempts to very thoroughly answer the question of what it would really be like to be super-intelligent. Along the way, it delves into the definition of intelligence, and whether greater intelligence necessarily means greater morality. What's our current definition of intelligent? What is intelligence? ~~Is our definition~~ something that could evolve? Could we achieve super-intelligence with performance enhancing drugs? What would it mean to be super-intelligent? This panel is full, but may be able to take one or two more people if there are scheduling conflicts.		Ted Chiang's "Understand" asks and then attempts to very thoroughly answer the question of what it would really be like to be super-intelligent. Along the way, it delves into the definition of intelligence, and whether greater intelligence necessarily means greater morality. What's our current definition of intelligent? What is intelligence? is superintelligence something that could evolve? Could we achieve super-intelligence with performance enhancing drugs? What would it mean to be super-intelligent? This panel is full, but may be able to take one or two more people if there are scheduling conflicts.

	===Crossing over from SF to Mystery===		===Crossing over from SF to Mystery===

Mle292: /* Young Children's Fantasy Books */

2012-03-08T20:03:19Z

Young Children's Fantasy Books

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	Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.		Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.

	===Young Children's Fantasy ~~Books~~===		===Young Children's and YA Science Fiction and Fantasy===
	A discussion of the introduction to fantasy at a very young age. Which stories did we read to our kids before they were old enough to read themselves? What are some young people's books with great illustrations?		A discussion of SF&F for the young, with a focus on the introduction to fantasy at a very young age. Which stories did we read to our kids before they were old enough to read themselves? What are some young people's books with great illustrations? How do I find great books to introduce young children to genre fiction?

	==Art==		==Art==

Mle292 at 17:38, 27 February 2012

2012-02-27T17:38:48Z

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	To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for.		To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for.

	Our schedule is nearly finalized and we're working out the ~~final~~ bugs. Assuming that panelists can fit into our existing schedule, we will accept panelists up to the moment of the event, though our publication deadlines are considerably ahead of that moment.		Our schedule is nearly finalized and we're working out the bugs. Assuming that panelists can fit into our existing schedule, we will accept panelists up to the moment of the event, though our publication deadlines are considerably ahead of that moment.

	=The following panels are most in need of panelists=		=The following panels are most in need of panelists=

Mle292 at 17:24, 27 February 2012

2012-02-27T17:24:30Z

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	The following is the list of panels available for signup at Minicon 47. We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 47. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the [[M48 Programming Brainstorm\|Minicon 48 Brainstorming Page]], or send it to the programming department at programming@minicon47.mnstf.org		The following is the list of panels available for signup at Minicon 47. We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 47. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the [[M48 Programming Brainstorm\|Minicon 48 Brainstorming Page]], or send it to the programming department at programming@minicon47.mnstf.org

	To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for. Our schedule is nearly finalized and we're working out the final bugs. Assuming that panelists can fit into our existing schedule, we will accept panelists up to the moment of the event, though our publication deadlines are considerably ahead of that moment.		To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for.

			Our schedule is nearly finalized and we're working out the final bugs. Assuming that panelists can fit into our existing schedule, we will accept panelists up to the moment of the event, though our publication deadlines are considerably ahead of that moment.

	=The following panels are most in need of panelists=		=The following panels are most in need of panelists=

Mle292 at 17:23, 27 February 2012

2012-02-27T17:23:48Z

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	The following is the list of panels available for signup at Minicon 47. We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 47. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the [[M48 Programming Brainstorm\|Minicon 48 Brainstorming Page]], or send it to the programming department at programming@minicon47.mnstf.org		The following is the list of panels available for signup at Minicon 47. We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 47. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the [[M48 Programming Brainstorm\|Minicon 48 Brainstorming Page]], or send it to the programming department at programming@minicon47.mnstf.org

	To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for.		To sign up to be a panelist, send an email to programming@minicon47.mnstf.org Your email should include the titles of the panels that you are interested in, schedule limitations, and whether or not you would consider moderating any of the panels that you're volunteering for. Our schedule is nearly finalized and we're working out the final bugs. Assuming that panelists can fit into our existing schedule, we will accept panelists up to the moment of the event, though our publication deadlines are considerably ahead of that moment.

	=The following panels are most in need of panelists=		=The following panels are most in need of panelists=

Mle292: /* SF Rock & Roll */

2012-02-25T19:51:17Z

SF Rock & Roll

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	===SF Rock & Roll===		===SF Rock & Roll===
	From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?		From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium? This panel is full, but may be able to take one or two more people if there are scheduling conflicts.

	===Filking For Fun===		===Filking For Fun===

Mle292 at 19:49, 25 February 2012

2012-02-25T19:49:23Z

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	===Fantasy Art Through Time===		===Fantasy Art Through Time===
	How has fantasy art changed over the past few years? How has digital media changed the field, and what’s it like to break in as a new artist? What expectations does an artist usually need to meet, and how has the industry changed? What cool things are new artists doing?		How has fantasy art changed over the past few years? How has digital media changed the field, and what’s it like to break in as a new artist? What expectations does an artist usually need to meet, and how has the industry changed? What cool things are new artists doing?

	~~===Make your own Minion===~~
	Build Your Own Minion Puppet. Donated materials provided. This event may include time at the end for puppets to discuss whether Scott Adams is merely brilliant or a true genius. This panel will need someone to help set up, oversee, and help with simple sewing tasks.

	==Fandom and Zeitgeist==		==Fandom and Zeitgeist==
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	===The Future of American Space Exploration===		===The Future of American Space Exploration===
	How did the end of the Space Shuttle program finally wind up? How is the Russian Soyuz program doing in replacing the Shuttle? Now that the Constellation project has been shelved, how are related programs like the Orion Shuttle faring? The planning and implementation of any American space program is typically longer than the tenure of fickle politicians. Is the American political climate too volatile for future space exploration?		How did the end of the Space Shuttle program finally wind up? How is the Russian Soyuz program doing in replacing the Shuttle? Now that the Constellation project has been shelved, how are related programs like the Orion Shuttle faring? The planning and implementation of any American space program is typically longer than the tenure of fickle politicians. Is the American political climate too volatile for future space exploration?

	~~===Futurists and Futures===~~
	Futurists are scientists and social scientists whose specialty is to attempt to systematically predict the future, whether that of human society in particular or of life on earth in general. They've also been known to get the future wrong. How do they compare with sf writers? Do they make the same mistakes, for the same reasons?

	~~===History is Stranger than Fiction===~~
	~~Weird stuff in the world of science and technology that actually happened!~~

	===Let's Play God===		===Let's Play God===
	Scientists and doctors are often accused of "playing God," but no one seems to have specified what, exactly, God does that can so easily be imitated, or what is wrong with imitating it. What sorts of things are considered godlike behaviors or experiments? What are the potential rewards or punishments? Are there any lines that should not be crossed, or slippery slopes that we are standing too close to? Should God be worried?		Scientists and doctors are often accused of "playing God," but no one seems to have specified what, exactly, God does that can so easily be imitated, or what is wrong with imitating it. What sorts of things are considered godlike behaviors or experiments? What are the potential rewards or punishments? Are there any lines that should not be crossed, or slippery slopes that we are standing too close to? Should God be worried?

	~~===Science Reporting: Threat or Menace?===~~
	~~NASA finds extra-terrestrials! Scientists have definite proof that neutrinos go faster than light! Why is science reporting so often sensationalist? How do we separate the wheat from the chaff?~~

	===Was Horton Right? The Science Fiction of Dr. Seuss===		===Was Horton Right? The Science Fiction of Dr. Seuss===
	Look what we found in the park in the dark! It's the twisted imagination of Theodore Geisel, poisoning our innocent tots' little minds with visions of subatomic galaxies, extraterrestrial zoos, and endlessly recursive stacks of hats. One could argue that the entire sub-genre of urban fantasy was inspired by the good doctor's first children's book: "To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street." And who could doubt that the science fictional morality tale of the Star Bellied Sneeches inspired that one episode of Star Trek?		Look what we found in the park in the dark! It's the twisted imagination of Theodore Geisel, poisoning our innocent tots' little minds with visions of subatomic galaxies, extraterrestrial zoos, and endlessly recursive stacks of hats. One could argue that the entire sub-genre of urban fantasy was inspired by the good doctor's first children's book: "To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street." And who could doubt that the science fictional morality tale of the Star Bellied Sneeches inspired that one episode of Star Trek?

	~~===Talking Back To Creationists===~~
	Some schools (including at least one Minnesota school) are now offering parents a chance to "opt-in" to evolution in the classroom. In contrast, AP science classes are required to include evolution, because regarding evolution as accepted science is part of post-secondary education. Does this make higher education a realistic goal for only some students? Do parents have a right to keep their children uneducated? What's new and interesting in the dispute over education standards surrounding science?

	===The Year In Science===		===The Year In Science===

Mle292 at 04:37, 23 February 2012

2012-02-23T04:37:13Z

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	===The Shaping of Film Genres, 1896-1949===		===The Shaping of Film Genres, 1896-1949===
	From the turn-of-the-century fantasy shorts of George Melies to the first science fiction film (1902), the first Western (1903), and the growth, through the studio era, of comedies, horror films, gangster movies, and film noir, how did genre movies distinguish themselvs from "mainstream" cinema?		From the turn-of-the-century fantasy shorts of George Melies to the first science fiction film (1902), the first Western (1903), and the growth, through the studio era, of comedies, horror films, gangster movies, and film noir, how did genre movies distinguish themselvs from "mainstream" cinema?

	~~==Music==~~
	~~===Filking For Fun===~~
	What is filk? Why do we filk? What's the fun in just talking about filk when we could spend that time making our own? During this panel, panelists and attendees will set out to create our very own filk song(s)! A familiar tune will be provided, attendees are welcome to bring instruments.

	==Science and Technology==		==Science and Technology==
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	===SF Rock & Roll===		===SF Rock & Roll===
	From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?		From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?

			===Filking For Fun===
			What is filk? Why do we filk? What's the fun in just talking about filk when we could spend that time making our own? During this panel, panelists and attendees will set out to create our very own filk song(s)! A familiar tune will be provided, attendees are welcome to bring instruments.

	==Science/Technology==		==Science/Technology==

Mle292 at 17:49, 22 February 2012

2012-02-22T17:49:11Z

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	==Media==		==Media==
	~~===The Doctor's Wife and Kids===~~
	Our annual Doctor Who hash out. How do we feel about the direction that Doctor Who is going? This last season, the doctor landed in Utah in an apparent attempt to appeal to a broader American audience, and less subtly, Torchwood: Miracle Day featured American characters in American settings. As the BBC attempts to expand their audience, what are they getting right and wrong?

	===George Lucas Retroactively Ruined My Childhood===		===George Lucas Retroactively Ruined My Childhood===
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	===Filking For Fun===		===Filking For Fun===
	What is filk? Why do we filk? What's the fun in just talking about filk when we could spend that time making our own? During this panel, panelists and attendees will set out to create our very own filk song(s)! A familiar tune will be provided, attendees are welcome to bring instruments.		What is filk? Why do we filk? What's the fun in just talking about filk when we could spend that time making our own? During this panel, panelists and attendees will set out to create our very own filk song(s)! A familiar tune will be provided, attendees are welcome to bring instruments.

	~~===SF Rock & Roll===~~
	From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?

	==Science and Technology==		==Science and Technology==
	===The Chinese Space Program===		===The Chinese Space Program===
	In 2003, Yang Liwei's sucessful mission aboard Shenzhou 5 made China the third country to independently send a human into space. Since then, the Chinese space program has expanded. Current plans include a permanent space station and crewed expeditions to the Moon and Mars. How are these projects coming along? What other exciting developments are in the works?		In 2003, Yang Liwei's sucessful mission aboard Shenzhou 5 made China the third country to independently send a human into space. Since then, the Chinese space program has expanded. Current plans include a permanent space station and crewed expeditions to the Moon and Mars. How are these projects coming along? What other exciting developments are in the works?

	~~===The Death Panel===~~
	Despite modern medicine and the promises of science fiction, immortality continues to elude us. Instead of bringing salvation, advances have made it possible to hang onto life well past when some would consider it desirable. Sarah Palin criticized the growing need for end of life decisions, but perhaps "death panels" are just what we should have. We will examine dying in American hospitals, options for end of life care, and how decisions should be made. How do you want to die?

	===The Future of American Space Exploration===		===The Future of American Space Exploration===
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	===Superman===		===Superman===
	A discussion of America's most popular illegal immigrant. What are some of the more interesting developments in the recent Superman comics and screen adaptations? Who are our favorite writers for these stories? What do we think about the upcoming Henry Cavill movie? Why is Superman so much more awesomer than Batman? If the panelists and audience are willing, the last 20 minutes of this panel will be devoted to Smallville spoilers.		A discussion of America's most popular illegal immigrant. What are some of the more interesting developments in the recent Superman comics and screen adaptations? Who are our favorite writers for these stories? What do we think about the upcoming Henry Cavill movie? Why is Superman so much more awesomer than Batman? If the panelists and audience are willing, the last 20 minutes of this panel will be devoted to Smallville spoilers.

			===The Doctor's Wife and Kids===
			Our annual Doctor Who hash out. How do we feel about the direction that Doctor Who is going? This last season, the doctor landed in Utah in an apparent attempt to appeal to a broader American audience, and less subtly, Torchwood: Miracle Day featured American characters in American settings. As the BBC attempts to expand their audience, what are they getting right and wrong?

	==Music==		==Music==
	===Encore Game Show===		===Encore Game Show===
	A repeat of last year's popular game in which Two teams compete to come up with song lyrics. Prompted by a word, phrase or idea, the teams must act quickly to satisfy the judges. This panel is fully staffed.		A repeat of last year's popular game in which Two teams compete to come up with song lyrics. Prompted by a word, phrase or idea, the teams must act quickly to satisfy the judges. This panel is fully staffed.

			===SF Rock & Roll===
			From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?

	==Science/Technology==		==Science/Technology==
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	===Computer Folklore===		===Computer Folklore===
	Computer Folklore is an academic discipline based on studying anecdotes of computer history. Apple's original Macintosh, software design, and the evolution from cash register to pocket calculator all have a different spin depending on who's telling the story. What do we hope to learn from this? If we're lucky, Chris Garcia may bring along some interesting pieces from the Computer History museum.		Computer Folklore is an academic discipline based on studying anecdotes of computer history. Apple's original Macintosh, software design, and the evolution from cash register to pocket calculator all have a different spin depending on who's telling the story. What do we hope to learn from this? If we're lucky, Chris Garcia may bring along some interesting pieces from the Computer History museum.

			===The Death Panel===
			Despite modern medicine and the promises of science fiction, immortality continues to elude us. Instead of bringing salvation, advances have made it possible to hang onto life well past when some would consider it desirable. Sarah Palin criticized the growing need for end of life decisions, but perhaps "death panels" are just what we should have. We will examine dying in American hospitals, options for end of life care, and how decisions should be made. How do you want to die?

Mle292 at 17:44, 22 February 2012

2012-02-22T17:44:56Z

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	==Fandom and Zeitgeist==		==Fandom and Zeitgeist==
	~~===Hectograph to Podcast: An Introduction to Fanzines===~~
	~~What is a fanzine? What makes a good fanzine? What kind of writing works best? How have fanzines changed over the years? How does the history of fanzines inform the present?~~

	===The Museum of Today... TOMORROW!===		===The Museum of Today... TOMORROW!===
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	===Drink Tank! Live and In Person!===		===Drink Tank! Live and In Person!===
	Chris Garcia asked that instead of a typical Guest of Honor interview, he'd like to turn the tables and interview members of the audience! This item is fully staffed.		Chris Garcia asked that instead of a typical Guest of Honor interview, he'd like to turn the tables and interview members of the audience! This item is fully staffed.

			===Hectograph to Podcast: An Introduction to Fanzines===
			What is a fanzine? What makes a good fanzine? What kind of writing works best? How have fanzines changed over the years? How does the history of fanzines inform the present?

	==Gaming==		==Gaming==