M46 Programming

Minicon 46 Programming Panels

This is the list of Panels for Minicon 46. To sign up to be a panelist, please send an email to programming@minicon46.mnstf.org List the panels that you are interested in by title. You may also include requests about when you'd like your panels to be scheduled.

Arts, Crafts, Costuming

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?

Beer Brewing and Wine Making - It's All in the Variables

Homebrewing has exploded in popularity over the last few years; even the President's official chef is in on it. Because there are so many variables to tinker with, brewing at home is a fabulous, geeky hobby! What are your favorite local supply stores, and what do you like about those? How do we feel about malt extract vs. all grain brewing? Bottling or kegging? How about fruit beers and ciders? What's the best use for spent grain? Could this panel be followed by a tasting in the bar?

Clever and Creative Photography at Conventions

Appropriate lighting and the use of a flash, catching 'candid' shots, choosing and framing your subject, how to spot the background clutter... All of this, and more, adds up to tips to help preserve and share your convention memories. May include before- and after-style examples.

Cthulu Art

Everyone is going CRAZY for Cthulhu! Bring your favorite creation to display or share, and maybe you'll be among the last to be eaten.

Maker Resources

IKEA hacks and other DIY.

Papercraft and Origami Roundtable

Share your favorite paper art resources and techniques.

Steampunk Art, Design, Craft and Costuming

This mashup of Science Fiction, Alternate History and Speculative Fiction is probably best known for its striking visual style. How do artists effectively use the "steampunk" theme? What are some materials and methods that we like? "Steampunk" is sometimes criticized for favoring visual elements over content. What pitfalls should artists avoid in order to effectively keep a central focus to their pieces?

Zeppelin Art

Interactive, decorate your own zeppelin. Learn about why Zeppelins are important to Minneapolis' history.

Fandom and Fannishness

An Introduction to Fanzines

What makes a good fanzine? What kind of writing works and why? Panelists will read from and discuss the best of the best.

Antiques Roadshow for Geeks

Y'know... That copy of Action Comics #1 is kinda valuable, right? Come hear some great 'Cash In The Attic' stories.

Geek Social Skills in the Workplace

What frustrations are common to geeks in the workplace? What are some of the best techniques geeks have to communicate with non-geeks? What are some tips and resources for improving communication skills with non-geeks? What are the benefits and detriments of working in a technology field, or a non-technology field?

Gender Roles in Fandom

How are gender roles the same or different in fandom or mainstream culture? Are we really better than everyone else? In what ways is fandom similar and dissimilar to mainstream culture with regard to our expectations? How do we approach relationships differently? What about the great big world of Cosplay?

GLBT History and Contemporary Views in SF/F Fandom=== How are gender roles the same or different in fandom or mainstream culture? Are we really better than everyone else? In what ways is fandom similar and dissimilar to mainstream culture with regard to our expectations? How do we approach relationships differently? What about the great big world of Cosplay?

Invisible Disabilities

Not everyone's disability is obvious. How can that affect our lives? This panel open to the visibly disabled, invisibly disabled, and even the temporarily able-bodied.

My Kind of Con, Chicon 7 is

The 70th World Science Fiction Convention, aka Worldcon, is being held in Chicago in 2012. The folks in charge are dedicated to bringing the flavor of our great regional conventions to the Worldcon stage. What would you like to see there? Talk with people who are actually working on the convention. (more of a Q&A than panel discussion?)

My Less-Than-Secret Identity

Scientists have recently discovered that there are two species of humans: Superman people and Batman people. Which one are you? How about Star Trek vs. Star Wars? D&D vs. GURPS? Within fandom, there is a need to further distinguish ourselves by the things we enjoy. What about fandom encourages this drive for uniqueness? What are some of the most prevalent rivalries, and what do these rivalries represent to us?

The Asterisk Panel

Panelists start off talking. Audience members hold up asterisks when they need footnotes. Fun and tangents.

The Other Panel

Hey, wait, you said that'd be another panel! This is that panel!

Unemployed and Geeky

This is a pretty bad economy, and a lot of us are unemployed or underemployed. How have we coped? How can we help each other?

Unsocial While Social

Being online, face-to-face. When's it rude to text? How do we manage our attentions when there are so many digital avenues available?