M47 Programming Brainstorm
Art
The Art of the Snapshot, Part II
More detailed discussion about taking great photos at conventions, with examples aplenty! Discussion of etiquette, technique, fair use, and image manipulation resources. Needs to be in the multimedia room.
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?
It Leapt Right Off The Page!
Live, interactive tutorial on making your own pop-ups.
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.
Puppetry
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 of 2011, the Muppets were accused of being communist agitators. Are puppets subversive? What are our thoughts on the Muppets re-boot?
Spinning Your Yarns
Many fans like working with our hands to create things, sometimes while we're participating in other activities. How does creating things keep us engaged? What are some of our favorites? Is it difficult to knit in a dark movie theater?
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.
Live Art Demonstrations
See art created right before your very eyes!
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?
Frank Wu Slide Show
Frank Wu shows slides of his work and discusses what went into the making of his art.
What's New In The World of Dinosaurs?
A Slide show featuring lots of great pictures of recent dinosaur discoveries. (GOH)
How To Design A Spaceship
The Science and Art of Spaceship Design. (GOH)
How To Draw A Dragon.
An Interactive event for all ages. (GOH)
Modern Fantasy Images
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?
Fandom and Zeitgeist
The Secret Scandals of Frank Wu
Nobody knows exactly what the programming item is going to be except for Brianna Spacekat Wu, but it will undoubtedly be scandalous. This panel could use someone to help with the AV equipment.
Convention T-Shirts
What are convention T-shirts for? What do we use them for? What are some of the best ones we've gotten?
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?
Fat Acceptance In Fiction and Fandom
How is size acceptance treated in fiction and fandom?
Minneapolis in 2073
A convention whose time has come, and will come again in about 61 years. Minneapolis in xx73!
What Has Happened Since "Is There A Fannish Accent?"
A follow up panel about how fans talk and communicate. How has the wisdom from the previous panel entered into the fannish imagination? Has more research been since then? Attendance at previous panel is not necessary to enjoy this discussion,
Chicon 7
Everything you wanted to know about Worldcon but were afraid to ask.
Hugo Nominees
A presentation of this year's Hugo nominees.
Living with Aspergers/Autism
It has often been suggested that Aspergers/Autism is more common among members of the fan community. Why is this so? What are some of the most common characteristics for this condition? What are some effective strategies for managing, navigating and communicating - both for people with autism / Aspergers and for their friends and family? Where is the line between "disorder," and different methods for organizing thoughts?
Not That Kind of Geek
Description forthcoming.
Yoda Said There'd Be Days Like This
Things that science fiction taught us that we had to learn the hard way anyway.
The Museum of Today... TOMORROW!
What is significant enough to preserve for the future, and how do museum workers go about deciding? How do we determine what's significant, or more importantly, what will be significant? How can we know what we should have saved for a hundred years from now?
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
Let Me Tell You About My Character!
What gaming conversations make you want to flee in terror? Why are these conversations so fascinating to the storyteller, and so horribly boring for the listener? What is unique about RPGs that cause this phenomenon?
Never Enough Rules
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? Does this discussion need to be limited to only board games or only RPGs?
Practical applications of D&D alignments
What's the benefit of D&D alignments when applied to real world situations like politics or workplace interactions? If the 700 Club is Lawful Evil, then Westboro Baptist is Chaotic Evil. What characteristics define people who are "Chaotic Neutral," and how are they best handled in the workplace?
Mega Moneyduck
The mesmerizing return of The Magnificant Mega Moneyduck Machine.
Literature
Writing The Blueprints for Fantasy
Many of Ted Chiang's stories weave intricate details around fantastic technologies, whether they be the means necessary to build a tower to Heaven, or the process required to animate a golem. Let's explore some of the fascinating technologies Chiang has set up and how his use of detail breathes life (though not always argon) into the stories.
Failing The Turing Test
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? What would it mean to be super-intelligent? How have AI surpassed that, and what do we do when humans don't pass it?
Fantasy Engineering
Ted Chiang's "Tower of Babylon" details what would be required to build a literal sky-scraper with bronze age technology. How would construction look with different technology than what's available? What are some ways we can imagine alternate technologies? What other works have delved into the practicalities behind fantastic constructions?
Truly Alien Languages
Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" posits an alien language that is fundamentally incompatible with human intelligence. In what ways are human languages necessarily tied to human modes of thought? What forms of language could exist that wouldn't work with these modes of thought? What are some favorite alien languages? How does one go about constructing a language from scratch? What can we learn from the secret languages of twins?
Technical Writing vs. Fiction Writing
Beyond "knowing your audience," what's important? How does one overcome the conflict between writing styles? What are some witty retorts to folks who think only one of those is "real" writing?
Clifford D. Simak - Alien Life In The Heartlands
Clifford D. Simak set much of his SF in rural Wisconsin where he grew up and Minnesota where he worked as a journalist. Join this discussion of the work of Clifford D. Simak.
The Life and Works of Joanna Russ (1937-2011)
Joanna Russ is perhaps best known for her 1975 work "The Female Man," the 1972 short story "When it Changed," and her 1983 writing guide "How to Suppress Women's Writing." The dialogue regarding sexism in the field of science fiction and fantasy benefited from her voice, and her contributions still impact how that discussion is carried out. What do we think about all of this?
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." Wertham argued that comic books negatively influenced children in many ways, including portrayals of 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." Now that the CCA is gone, how has censorship changed? 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?
Guilty Secrets of Your Booklist
What other books do fans also enjoy? What are some of our new favorites in non-fiction or non-genre?
A Love Letter to Jo Walton's "Among Others"
A celebratory discussion, along with an annotated bibliography of the books mentioned in "Among Others."
That Reminds Me Of A Book I Read!
A dramatic reading of the 2012 panel list in which the audience is encouraged to blurt out titles of books of which they are reminded. Just like some other Minicon panels, except on purpose.
Wookies Need Extra Legroom
Many SF stories include the realization that reasonable accommodations are for many different types of "normal." By challenging the idea of normal in a format that includes different species, do we marginalize disability accessibility or do we make it more socially universal?
Fanfic: Playing In Someone Else's Sandbox
Fanfiction isn't new, though the internet has made it much more accessible in the last two decades. Where is it growing? What is there to know about the explosion of fanfiction? How can we find fanfiction that we like? How can we find communities to help us develop our work? How do fanfic authors critique each other's writing?
Young Children's Fantasy Books
Needs description.
The Year in SF
Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.
What's New and Exciting in YA?
The yearly love fest for all ages.
Goblinish Lore and Literature
Folkloric traditions and fantastical literature have presented many different versions of the roguish goblin, from Christina Rossetti's seductive fruit mongers to J.R.R. Tolkien's violent and villainous warriors. Recent fiction by Hilari Bell, Jim C. Hines, and others offers more sympathetic portrayals of goblinish people. What are the origins of these mischievous creatures, how has fantasy fiction reshaped them, and what new forms will they take?
Where Do I Find Your Work, Ted?
Our Author Guest of Honor's work is published in a variety of venues. How has he chosen where to publish them?
The end of the vanity publisher
What are some of the options in self-publishing these days? What should writers be aware of?
Crossing over from SF to Mystery
Can SF and Mystery successfully co-exist in the same book? What qualities do the respective genres have that play nicely together, and which elements squabble bitterly? How do their respective backgrounds in the niche market of pulp make them unique? What are some of our favorite authors who successfully navigate the blending of these two popular styles?
Folklore or Fakelore
Or does it really matter? Authors who romp through the folk stories of the world, borrowing/grabbing/snatching up tropes as they go, will either tug their forelocks for doing so, find excuses for themselves, or boldly go wherever they want to and are happy to do so. Is there a "proper" use of our folkloric inheritance, or should the world's "basic" stories be up for grabs for whoever and whatever we want?
Appending Our Cultural Heritage
Public domain works such as Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and Alice in Wonderland continue to inspire new stories. Shakespeare's work has influenced countless retellings--and he practiced such adaptations himself. How does an author make a topic uniquely their own, and still respect the original story? When is a derivative story a crime against the source material?
Media
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?
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.
Believable Antagonists
What makes a good antagonist? Why does Gaius Baltar on Battlestar Galactica work better than Anakin Skywalker in Episode III? Is the antagonist more about motivations, or contrast with the protagonist? What makes an antagonist believable?
Victorian Era Hugos
Before the Hugos existed, there were some great works in the burgeoning field of SF/F. io9 even did some articles about the better known works, as organized by year. For reference, see *1885 *1886 *1887 *1888. What about this time period was unique and called out for early SF/F? What are some of our favorite stories of this era and why do we like them?
George Lucas Retroactively Ruined My Childhood
When new versions of old movies are made, fans often express outrage and betrayal. When a franchise is being rebooted or expanded, there's speculation on "getting it right." When a sequel or subsequent work seems to portray something as deviating from the original work, are fans justified in their disapproval? When does an artist turn their work over as a part of a collectively owned culture? What are advantages and disadvantages of "open source" culture? Fan fiction writers often play in someone else's universe - what right do we as fans have to create new work, with or without permission?
A Big Bang Theory Panel
A discussion of the television show, with a description to be provided by the panelists.
Chris Garcia's Shorts
An appreciation for the short film. What sort of storytelling works in the short form film? How do I find these special and unique movies? What are some of Chris' favorites?
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.
Beyond Bechdel
In 1985, comic strip writer Alison Bechdel invented The Bechdel Test to assess movies for sexism. For a movie to pass, (1) it has to have at least two women in it, (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 in movies? Which groups still don't even get to be "real" characters with definition beyond their status as "outsiders"?
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?
Talk About A Movie
A Partnership with the Film Room. Have you ever wanted to just sit down and discuss a movie right after you've seen it? Immediately after a movie, there will be a roundtable discussion. This panel will need someone to moderate.
GLBT Friendly Video SF
How do movies and TV treat GLBT characters? What are some good modern examples of entertainment for when a person wants to turn on the tube, crack open a beer, and not be driven to throw anything at the screen?
Guidolon, The Giant Space Chicken
Frank Wu and Chris Garcia discuss GUIDOLON THE GIANT SPACE CHICKEN, a movie about a Giant Space Chicken making a movie about a Giant Space Chicken. Remember - A Monster Movie *is* a Shakespearean tragedy!
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?
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?
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.
Science and Technology
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?
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
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?
Subatomic Galaxies: Was Horton Right?
The science fiction of Doctor Seuss.
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. 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 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?
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
How did the end of the Space Shuttle program finally wind up? How is the Russian Soyuz program doing in replacing the Shuttle? 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?
The Year In Science
What exciting developments have happened in various science disciplines? Are we headed for a chocolate communist hellhole? What happened this year that knocked our socks off? What are the latest discoveries in the field of unknockable socks? Ask away
Disability and Attitude
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. This year, 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?
Patent Law's Influence on Innovation
How does intellectual property law and restrictions change what is produced? Would the world be better without those restrictions?
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.