Minicon45 Programming: Difference between revisions
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=== Fannish & Miscellaneous Panels === | === Fannish & Miscellaneous Panels === | ||
==== Geek Love Through the Ages ==== | |||
Once, "sexy" was synonymous with predominately physical attributes, today it's much more trendy to admit that geek is sexy. Pop culture still idolizes the bold, fist fighting, daredevil surrounded by explodeyness, but the sexy geek is less anomalous than in previous years, and "genius" doesn't always go with "evil" anymore. How has the intellectual appeal of the protagonist character changed over the ages in movies and in literature? Are smarter characters a sign of a cultural shift, or just that brainy writers like for the intellectual characters to get some once in a while. | |||
==== Stuff that's about stuff ==== | ==== Stuff that's about stuff ==== | ||
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==== The Evil Librarian Panel ==== | ==== The Evil Librarian Panel ==== | ||
Our author GoH has written a book called "Alcatraz vs.the Evil Librarians," so this seems like as good a time as any to do a librarian panel. | Our author GoH has written a book called "Alcatraz vs.the Evil Librarians," so this seems like as good a time as any to do a librarian panel. | ||
==== Secrets of the Sheraton Bloomington ==== | ==== Secrets of the Sheraton Bloomington ==== | ||
Revision as of 16:21, 28 May 2009
Minicon 45 - Programming Brainstorm Page
Minicon is dead; long live Minicon! It's the Monday night Dead Dodo party and time to start brainstorming for next year.
Links
- Last Year's Ideas - some were used, some weren't.
- Minicon 45 Official Home Page
- Minicon44 Programming
- Sheraton Bloomington room capacities
Science
Space Borne Life
(Chas) From Aliens without eyes to intelligent balloons, the next step is ...
Bio-Engineering as Art
Rabbits that glow in the dark, flowers infused with the artist's DNA...
Science Fiction
Wheel of Time from the Younger Point of View
Younger fans of Wheel of Time talk with the GoH.
The Wheel of Time: a Feminist View
Writing in Somebody Else's Universe
Keeping the facts straight, getting the voice right.
Managing a Cast of Thousands
How does a writer keep track of a huge number of characters with intertwined stories that extend over multiple books?
Revenge of the Screaming, Helpless Vixens
In a genre known for forward thinking, women are still often depicted as brainless and braless. Galaxy Quest tackled the issue with humor, The Stepford Wives approached it with horror. What are some of your favorite examples of positive and negative genre depictions of women characters? Aside from investing in some sensible shoes, what would we like to see our heroines do differently?
My Mind, It’s Going: Memory Loss in Science and Fiction
From Flowers For Algernon to the popular pre-teen video game Kingdom Hearts, memory loss has a place in SF and fantasy. Sometimes it’s just a plot device, and badly researched at that. But sometimes, intentionally or not, it taps into our deepest fears of loss of self. We will discuss stories that deal with memory loss, and why they are important in an age when Alzheimer’s seems to always be on the news.
Censorship and Science Fiction
If Seven wants to do this panel, she needs to come up with a description.
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Extending the human lifespan for centuries, even to the threshold of immortality, is an eternal human dream and a popular subject for speculative fiction. But there's always a catch, isn't there? The difficult implications of extended lifespans range from boredom to loneliness to raving insanity. On the other hand... you don't have to die!
Fannish & Miscellaneous Panels
Geek Love Through the Ages
Once, "sexy" was synonymous with predominately physical attributes, today it's much more trendy to admit that geek is sexy. Pop culture still idolizes the bold, fist fighting, daredevil surrounded by explodeyness, but the sexy geek is less anomalous than in previous years, and "genius" doesn't always go with "evil" anymore. How has the intellectual appeal of the protagonist character changed over the ages in movies and in literature? Are smarter characters a sign of a cultural shift, or just that brainy writers like for the intellectual characters to get some once in a while.
Stuff that's about stuff
Neil Gaiman writes fiction about the nature of fiction, Fluxx is a card game about the nature of card game rules. What fannish stuff (besides this panel) is about itself? What attracts us to examine the nature of our fandom just by enjoying it?
The Evil Librarian Panel
Our author GoH has written a book called "Alcatraz vs.the Evil Librarians," so this seems like as good a time as any to do a librarian panel.
Secrets of the Sheraton Bloomington
Some of us have been attending conventions at the Rad South Sheraton Bloomington for decades. We've played hotel tag in the stairways, made friends, gotten married, experienced life-changing firsts. Some of our younger members may even have been conceived here. Let's celebrate this architectural fixture in our fannish lives. Remember watching the sun come up from Mr. C's on the 22nd floor? Does anybody know where the time capsule is hidden? What is the weirdest place we've ever found a sleeper?
Books You Don't Expect to Get Back
What books do you buy over and over to give away to your friends? What's the best gift book you have ever received?
How to Get Laid at Minicon
Our traditional neofan panel.
The Whole World as "The Village"
Number 2's dream voiced to Number 6 in the 1967 Prisoner episode "Chimes of Big Ben". While we might not be numbers, as a series of database entries that risk theft of identity & individuality, spyware in communications technology & cameras everywhere, among other things we've come to accept, yet guard against invading our privacy today, how well did McGoohan predict this New Global Village in which we live?
Booze and Science Fiction
Alcohol has a special place in s.f. fandom (smoooooth) and has also played a key part in a surprising amount of classic s.f. and fantasy. Anybody remember "A Bicycle Built for Brew?" Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster anybody? An associated workshop or lab for this panel has also been suggested. There are several directions that this could take: a workshop on creating (and more important, naming) new mixed drinks; serious discussion of single malt scotch (preferably with samples); or a panel of con bartenders sharing their favorite stories.
Arts and Crafts
Arts vs. Crafts
For those who produce works of both sorts, what distinguishes art from craft? when does craft transcend its defining characteristics to be counted as art? Why do we distinguish art as a separate category? For those who specialize in one area or the other, how does craft improve art, art inform craft?
Popup Books
Come and see some resplendent examples of the popup book art form, and learn what goes into the construction of these little masterpieces. Yes, we've done this several times before, but it gets bigger and better every year!
Paper Engineering
This year the paper-folding workshop gets its own time slot. Learn a little origami, cut out a snowflake, or make a folded-paper fortune telling machine customized for Minicon.
Not Really Panels
Yoga for the Old and Decrepit
A workshop to teach yoga techniques adapted to make them accessible to people with physical limitations.
Costuming
Costume Doctor
Bonnie and Seven help you deal with good costumes gone bad, wardrobe malfunctions and other costuming problems.
Easter Parade
In your Eeeeaster bonnet, with all the squids uponnnnit... miscellaneous finery, costumes, kazoo bands.
Kids and Family Programming
Tool Time
Take apart a computer.
Children's Concert
Music for children by Minnstf musicians.
Create a Costume in Two Hours
We'll provide the raw materials and you have two hours to whip it into a costume for the Easter Parade. Photographers will be on hand to immortalize your new persona.