M48 Programming Brainstorm
Art
Are Puppets Subversive?
What's so special about puppets? What can we do with puppets that live actors can't communicate? What makes for a successful puppet script? What are some resources for puppeteers? In December 2011, the Muppets were accused of being communist agitators. What are our thoughts on the Muppets re-boot?
Costuming Connection
How do I get started with costuming? How do I improve my beginner skills? What can I do with a simple sewing machine? Which features are cool to have on a more expensive, gadgety machine? What are some good costuming resources?
Striking a Pose
Based on this post [1] by Jim Hines. Examining the way women are portrayed on SF/F book covers. In particular - Are these poses realistic? Can they be replicated by a male body? What do such images say about the portrayal of women (even in books with strong female protagonists) in SF/F?
Fandom and Zeitgeist
Aliens Invade! (But, Why?)
From "War of the Worlds" to the TV series "Falling Skies," Earth is always getting invaded by aliens. But why? What, if anything, does Earth have that you can't get somewhere else? And, if you really wanted to get it from Earth, how would you go about doing it?
The Early Risers Panel
Few people want to be on the 10 AM Saturday spot, but the people that like to do morning panels are always enthusiastic and engaging. Sign up for "Early Risers Panel," and include a list of some of your interests. The Programming department will open a discussion with the panelists to come up with a great panel.
Living with Asperger's/Autism
It has often been suggested that Asperger's/Autism is more common among members of the fan community. Why is this so? What are some of the most common characteristics of this condition, what are some effective strategies for managing, navigating and communicating both for people with A/A and for their friends and families. Where is the line between disorder and different methods for organizing thoughts?
Not That Kind of Geek
I'm not a Star Trek geek, a Star Wars geek or a comic book geek, but I'm still a geek. Fans seem to have a unique perspective concerning their fascinations with things, and many of those things exist outside of fandom. Gardening geeks, combustion engine geeks and model train collectors rejoice! We'll examine the mind of the geek, and celebrate what we have in common.
When Flamewars Took A Year
Social networks in the days of snail mail had a distinct smell: Ditto, mimeo or photocopy. The texture of communication helped pass the time between comment and response. What was it like in Days of Yore? Why do people still print zines when they could just post them online and ignore all blog responses? What has modern social media taken from zine culture?
Yoda Said There'd Be Days Like These
What did Science Fiction teach us that we had to relearn the hard way?
Gaming
Creating Good Characters, Settings and Plots for RPGs
A panel about the proper self-maintenance of happy players and a happy GM.
House Rules - Clarifications or a Whole New Game?
A discussion about making up your own rules for existing games. At what point does a house-ruled system become a homebrew? What are some games that cry out for player enhancement? Is it "house rules" if the original RAW seems insufficient? What methods work for finding agreeable methods of modification?
Once Upon a Time - More Than a Card Game
Once Upon A Time is a card game where four (or more, or less, but four is ideal) players try to tell a story leading to one of their pre-determined endings using elements dealt to them on cards both at the beginning and throughout the game. Apart from being a very fun experience, Once Upon a Time is a wonderful writing exercise.
Literature/Writing
Id, Ego, Superego
How does psychology fit into fiction? When Characters represent facets of a complete persona, what does it say about what the author is trying to communicate?
Media
Aliens Invade! (But Why?)
From "War of the Worlds" to the new TV series "Falling Skies," Earth is always getting invaded by aliens. But why? What, if anything, does Earth have that you can't get somewhere else? And, if you really wanted to get it from Earth, how would you go about doing it?
Beyond Bechdel
In 1985, comic strip writer Alison Bechdel invented the Bechdel Test to assess movies for sexism. For a movie to pass it had to have (1) at least 2 women, (2) who talk to each other, (3) about something other than a man. Since then, the discussion has expanded to include more categories. How are other marginalized groups represented? Which groups still don't even get to be real characters with definition beyond there status as outsiders?
GLBT characters and censorship in comics and manga
In 1954, The Comics Code Authority (CCA) came into being as a response to Fredric Wertham's "Seduction of the Innocent." In his book, Wertham argued that comic books negatively influenced children with images of violence and sexuality, including subliminal homosexuality. Wonder Woman's independence and background was an indication of her lesbianism, and "The Batman type of story may stimulate children to homosexual fantasies." Manga and comics today still often contain unrealistic portrayals of sexuality, though it could be argued that the genre has improved. How do these formats get it right and wrong? How can they improve?
My Tivo Thinks I'm Gay
People are put into marketing categories based on credit card purchases, magazine subscriptions, browser history, Tivo viewing history, and countless other categories. Is this just a way of voting for what we want? What are the implications concerning privacy? How do publication and media companies decide what appeals to fans? What happens when the marketers get it wrong?
The New Pony Phenomenon
A new fad has swept the internet, amassing a huge fanbase in an amazingly short time. My Little Pony has been retooled into a work of epic fantasy that appeals to both men (Bronies) and women (Pegasisters), with extensive fanfics that delve into science fiction, romance, and horror. How did all this happen and where is it going? What is the ponies' secret?
Music
Music and the Mind
How does music affect the brain? How much of our reaction to music is hard-wired and how much is cultural? What is the relationship between music and memory? Did human beings sing before they spoke? What is the significance of the sacred geometry of music? What's so naughty about the Forbidden Interval?
Science and Technology
Disability in the Technological Future
In 2008, Oscar Pistorius was turned down as an Olympic runner because he was too fast. Pistorius, a double amputee with carbon fiber prosthetic legs, was deemed to have an unfair advantage. At the same time, Michael Phelps' high tech swim suit was the talk of the television. In 2012, Pistorius may possibly be the first disabled athlete allowed to compete in the able-bodied Olympics and the internet is abuzz. Is there a cultural bias to force disabled people to fit the mold as "less capable"? Is the bias embedded in the definition and usage of words like "capable" and "disabled"? How much influence will technology have on attitudes in the future?
Electronics Show & Tell
Show, tell, and discuss new and upcoming gadgets and gizmos. What will these tools do to change the world we live in? We might all wish for flying cars and jetpacks, but much of the technology we've got has just made life more complicated. Where is the line between fad and function?
The Geekiest Smartphone On The Block
What are some useful applications for iPhone or Android phones that appeal to geek interests? Where is the line between fad and function?