M59Programming Brainstorm - Revision history

Sharonkahn: /* In Memoriam: Terry Garey */

2026-03-04T18:05:16Z

In Memoriam: Terry Garey

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	=== In Memoriam: Terry Garey ===		=== In Memoriam: Terry Garey ===
	~~There will be a memorial gathering for~~ long-time fan and ~~celebrated poet Terry Garey. Please let us know if you would like to help with the planning and execution~~. We ~~are specifically looking for volunteers to~~ read some of Terry~~'s poetry out loud~~.		Join friends and family to celebrate Terry Garey: award-winning SF poet, long-time fan, generous host, excellent cook, creative quilter, devoted friend and sister. We will read some of her poetry, tell stories about her surprising life, and share memories of what made Terry special.

	=== History of Minicon ===		=== History of Minicon ===

EdisonJensen: /* Artificial Intelligence: the New Frankenstein */

2026-02-06T00:52:39Z

Artificial Intelligence: the New Frankenstein

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	AI is everywhere in the zeitgeist right now, mostly with people talking about its ominous implications for jobs and the economy, the creative arts, social justice, the law, privacy, and even existential questions of free will. These are all perfectly valid concerns and we should do at least one programming item that touches on all of this. But I suggest that we combine some or all of these topics into one (which may or may not reference Mary Shelley's ''Frankenstein: the New Prometheus'')		AI is everywhere in the zeitgeist right now, mostly with people talking about its ominous implications for jobs and the economy, the creative arts, social justice, the law, privacy, and even existential questions of free will. These are all perfectly valid concerns and we should do at least one programming item that touches on all of this. But I suggest that we combine some or all of these topics into one (which may or may not reference Mary Shelley's ''Frankenstein: the New Prometheus'')

	==== Brainiac vs the Butlerian Jihad ====		=== Brainiac vs the Butlerian Jihad ===
	Can AI be contained? The paperclip problem		Can AI be contained? The paperclip problem

	==== How Will We Keep Out AI Content (and do we want to)? ====		=== How Will We Keep Out AI Content (and do we want to)? ===
	As an editor, would you reject AI-generated stories out-of-hand? And will you always be able to tell? This topic seems like an obvious corollary to the one directly above it.		As an editor, would you reject AI-generated stories out-of-hand? And will you always be able to tell? This topic seems like an obvious corollary to the one directly above it.

	=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===		=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===

EdisonJensen: /* Red Star, Blue Star, Old Star, New Star */

2026-02-06T00:52:09Z

Red Star, Blue Star, Old Star, New Star

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 5 February 2026
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	Physics, astronomy, biology and other sciences are frequently used in comic books as plot devices. (Example: Supergirl parties on planets with red suns because of Kryptonian metabolism.) Let's talk about how science is used (or misused). Topics may include multiverses and alternate dimensions, macro quantum tunneling, cloning, hybridization, nanotech, and star drives.		Physics, astronomy, biology and other sciences are frequently used in comic books as plot devices. (Example: Supergirl parties on planets with red suns because of Kryptonian metabolism.) Let's talk about how science is used (or misused). Topics may include multiverses and alternate dimensions, macro quantum tunneling, cloning, hybridization, nanotech, and star drives.

	==== The Physics of the Multiverse ====		=== The Physics of the Multiverse ===
	Multiple dimensions? Infinite timelines? Are these plausible?		Multiple dimensions? Infinite timelines? Are these plausible?
	<br /> ''combine with Red Star Blue Star?''		<br /> ''combine with Red Star Blue Star?''

	==== A Clone Is Not a Duplicate (somebody tell the writers!) ====		=== A Clone Is Not a Duplicate (somebody tell the writers!) ===
	Cloning and genetic engineering as a plot device vs science and reality. What have we learned from the pet-cloning industry? Besides the unsettling discovery for pet owners that cloning will not bring back their loved one (why am I suddenly thinking of 'Pet Sematary') this seems like the perfect natural experiment for studying the age-old question of "Nature vs Nurture."		Cloning and genetic engineering as a plot device vs science and reality. What have we learned from the pet-cloning industry? Besides the unsettling discovery for pet owners that cloning will not bring back their loved one (why am I suddenly thinking of 'Pet Sematary') this seems like the perfect natural experiment for studying the age-old question of "Nature vs Nurture."
	<br />''combine with Red Star Blue Star?''		<br />''combine with Red Star Blue Star?''

EdisonJensen at 00:50, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T00:50:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:50, 5 February 2026
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	=== Trains in Science Fiction (Locomotives were the original spaceships) ===		=== Trains in Science Fiction (Locomotives were the original spaceships) ===
	~~Who doesn't love trains? Especially trains that BUILD THEIR OWN TRACK as they churn across~~ the ~~landscape. That's from a 2004 book by China Mieville, but it turns out to be REAL! [https://loram.com/maintenance~~-~~of-way/ballast-maintenance/specialty-excavating/ well~~, ~~sort~~ of]. ~~Trains show up a lot in sf movies for no particular reason except that they~~ are ~~cool, like ''Back to the Future 3'' and ''Snowpiercer'' and all sorts~~ of ~~hijinks on subway~~ trains ~~(''Mr. Robot'' is just one of many).~~		In the mid-19th century, steam locomotives were on the bleeding edge of technology. Did you know there are lesser-known examples of trains in science fiction, some predating H. G. Wells and Jules Verne? Come and learn about how the early days of SF were influenced by locomotives and how that provided the inception for Steampunk as a result of the Space Race. We’ll also discuss how trains are still inspiring modern writers like China Mieville today.
	~~Trains aren't as common a theme~~ in ~~written~~ science fiction ~~these days~~, ~~but in~~ the early days of ~~science fiction, trains~~ were ~~firing people's excitement about~~ the ~~future just~~ as ~~spaceships did for later generations, and locomotives~~ are ~~surprisingly common in these early forays into sf. [https://clarkesworldmagazine~~.~~com/heller_06_13/ Beyond the Tracks: The Locomotive in Science Fiction Literature]~~

	=== Is That Alien on the Spectrum? (And How Would We Know?) ===		=== Is That Alien on the Spectrum? (And How Would We Know?) ===
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	=== Adapting Well-Loved Stories ===		=== Adapting Well-Loved Stories ===
	Both of our GoHs have done adaptations of iconic source material (Star Wars for Pat, Lord of the Rings for Matt).		Both of our GoHs have done adaptations of iconic source material (Star Wars for Pat, Lord of the Rings for Matt).


	=== Getting Published: If I'd Known Then What I Know Now ===		=== Getting Published: If I'd Known Then What I Know Now ===
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	=== Imaginary Spacecraft -- Pushing the Boundaries ===		=== Imaginary Spacecraft -- Pushing the Boundaries ===
	Is your ship made of nuts and bolts? Circuits and Apps? Or something NASA never even dreamed?		Is your ship made of nuts and bolts? Circuits and Apps? Or something NASA never even dreamed?


	=== Red Star, Blue Star, Old Star, New Star ===		=== Red Star, Blue Star, Old Star, New Star ===

Sharonkahn: /* WRITING */

2026-02-03T18:38:10Z

WRITING

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:38, 3 February 2026
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	== WRITING ==		== WRITING ==

			=== Adapting Well-Loved Stories ===
			Both of our GoHs have done adaptations of iconic source material (Star Wars for Pat, Lord of the Rings for Matt).


	=== Getting Published: If I'd Known Then What I Know Now ===		=== Getting Published: If I'd Known Then What I Know Now ===
	Just got your first book or story into print? What did you learn along the way? Share the mistakes you made so we don't have to make them ourselves.		Just got your first book or story into print? What did you learn along the way? Share the mistakes you made so we don't have to make them ourselves.

Sharonkahn: /* How to play ZAR */

2026-02-03T18:36:15Z

How to play ZAR

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:36, 3 February 2026
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	== GAMING ==		== GAMING ==
			=== Connecting with friends and family through board games. ===
			How to pick games your loved ones are sure to love playing with you. GOH Matt Leacock will also talk a bit about cooperative board games and what makes them special.


	=== How to play ZAR ===		=== How to play ZAR ===
	Hershey teaches fans the Minicon fan favorite card game ZAR. ''Minicon After Dark? (in Consuite/Bar area)''		Hershey teaches fans the Minicon fan favorite card game ZAR. ''Minicon After Dark? (in Consuite/Bar area)''

Susanphilbrook: /* What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) */

2026-02-03T08:23:27Z

What can AI do today (other than create fake art?)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:23, 3 February 2026
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	=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===		=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===
	Let's focus on some of the positive uses for AI, most of which are in their infancy right now but can still be helpful. Can we find some panelists who have found ways to use effectively AI in their work or at home?		Let's focus on some of the positive uses for AI, most of which are in their infancy right now but can still be helpful. Can we find some panelists who have found ways to use effectively AI in their work or at home?


	''From Susan: Trying to decide if I want to be on this panel. I hate public speaking, but I have opinions about this since I have been using Chat GPT to help "render" or enhance renderings MY OWN architectural 3D models i build for clients. It has been an excellent tool.''

	=== Why Does Everybody Hate AI Image Generation? ===		=== Why Does Everybody Hate AI Image Generation? ===

Susanphilbrook: /* What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) */

2026-02-02T04:09:45Z

What can AI do today (other than create fake art?)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 1 February 2026
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	=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===		=== What can AI do today (other than create fake art?) ===
	Let's focus on some of the positive uses for AI, most of which are in their infancy right now but can still be helpful. Can we find some panelists who have found ways to use effectively AI in their work or at home?		Let's focus on some of the positive uses for AI, most of which are in their infancy right now but can still be helpful. Can we find some panelists who have found ways to use effectively AI in their work or at home?


			''From Susan: Trying to decide if I want to be on this panel. I hate public speaking, but I have opinions about this since I have been using Chat GPT to help "render" or enhance renderings MY OWN architectural 3D models i build for clients. It has been an excellent tool.''

	=== Why Does Everybody Hate AI Image Generation? ===		=== Why Does Everybody Hate AI Image Generation? ===

Sharonkahn: /* The Roddenberry Connection: Humanism in Science Fiction */

2026-02-02T00:06:36Z

The Roddenberry Connection: Humanism in Science Fiction

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 1 February 2026
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	=== The Roddenberry Connection: Humanism in Science Fiction ===		=== The Roddenberry Connection: Humanism in Science Fiction ===
	In 1991, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was named the American Humanist Association’s Humanist of the Year (an honor also bestowed ~~to, among others,~~ Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, Bill Nye, Kurt Vonnegut and more). This was to recognize his portrayal of a hopeful future where diverse humans solve problems with logic, cooperation and understanding rather than a reliance on the metaphysical or supernatural. Come and learn more about Roddenberry’s influence, the humanist movement today and how it overlaps quite naturally with the worldview commonly held by a majority of SF fans, advocates and champions. Qapla!		In 1991, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was named the American Humanist Association’s Humanist of the Year (an honor also bestowed on Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, Bill Nye, Kurt Vonnegut and more). This was to recognize his portrayal of a hopeful future where diverse humans solve problems with logic, cooperation and understanding rather than a reliance on the metaphysical or supernatural. Come and learn more about Roddenberry’s influence, the humanist movement today and how it overlaps quite naturally with the worldview commonly held by a majority of SF fans, advocates and champions. Qapla!

	=== In Memoriam: Terry Garey ===		=== In Memoriam: Terry Garey ===

Sharonkahn: /* How to Write Elderly Characters */

2026-02-01T19:54:29Z

How to Write Elderly Characters

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 1 February 2026
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	=== How to Write Elderly Characters ===		=== How to Write Elderly Characters ===
	~~This is a sequel panel idea to last year's "How to Write Physically Disabled Characters" panel. Last year elderly~~ characters ~~were a tangent topic and all agreed it needed a separate panel given elderly protagonists~~ are ~~scarce~~. ~~I'm willing~~ to ~~moderate the panel again~~, ~~and so far have three panelists already lined up (two who where on last year's panel~~, and the ~~third, Lisa, recruited all of~~ last ~~year's panelists and myself as~~ the ~~moderator). The three panelists are: Michael Merriam, Guy Stewart, and Lisa Freitag. All three have said they'd participate. I plan to recruit 1-2 more panelists~~. ~~-- ''Randy Holland''~~		Elderly characters are often portrayed as set in their ways. Without a character arc, does this relegate them to stereotypical roles like mentors, villains, or disabled victims? Is increasing longevity altering geriatric roles and responsibilities? Do grandchildren affect how aging characters view the future? Does new technology aggravate generational conflict? How can fiction writers better portray older characters? This topic is an offshoot from last year’s well-received Writing the Physically Disabled Character panel.

	===On writing badly; why you should lower your standards.. ===		===On writing badly; why you should lower your standards.. ===