M48 Programming Brainstorm

Art

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

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.

Yoda Said There'd Be Days Like These

What did Science Fiction teach us that we had to relearn the hard way?

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?

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?

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.

Gaming

Creating Good Characters, Settings and Plots for RPGs

A panel about the proper self-maintenance of happy players and a happy GM.

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?

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?

Science and Technology

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?