Welcome to your last year on the planet. Yup, apparently we’re all going out in a great big explosion of Mayan doom sometime late this year. I’m sorry, I don’t know the details. It’s just what I hear, and I always believe what I hear.

Anyway, since I feel it is my job to make sure your final year starts off as good as possible, I’ve decided to have yet another a very special video chat just for you. So make sure you come, because there will be many other doomed souls there to share in the reckless abandon that will be your last year, ever.

Here’s the link, see you there [9pm ET, Friday, 1/6/2012]:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20120106/

That’s right, there IS a video chat tonight, at the usual time, 9pm ET, and yes there is going to be a very special guest. I just can’t tell you who it is. Well, I could, especially now because he’s confirmed that he will be able to make it, but I’d rather just tease you. I’m mean like that. I’d tell you to trust me, and that if you join the chat with us, it will be fun, but you won’t, because I’m mean, and you can’t trust a big meanie.

Anyway, try to figure out who’s going to be there and bring some questions, or if you’re really motivated, send me some suggestions for “science or fiction”.

Here’s the link, see you then!
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/mysteryguest20111117/

I know you’re all super excited about special guest Maki Naro next week, but don’t forget you can get your video chat fix this week as well. Our regular “Social Group” meets this Friday, October 7th, at the usual 9pm ET. See you there!

Here’s the chat link:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20111007/ 

Next Friday, October 14th, Maki Naro, from the spectacular blogs Sci-ənce and Mad Art Lab, will be joining us on video chat. Apparently, he “is an artist, incurable geek, and lover of cooking, public radio, small animals, and Blade Runner”. Also, “He can hit a man from a hundred yards while riding at full gallop”. Whoa! Now we’re talking! Well, all I know is that he sports one of the best beards in skepticism (ahem, not *the* best, obviously).

Anyway, come hang out with him, myself, and a bunch of other people, next Friday. It’ll be fun! 

Here’s the link for this chat:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/makinaro20111014/

If you’ve been on the chat recently, you’ve probably met Sara Mayhew, resident of the remote outpost that is Kirkland Lake, Ontario. If you haven’t met her, you should, she’s brilliant, talented, AND CANADIAN! She’s also a TED fellow, gave fascinating talks at TAM and Dragon*con, does this cool skeptical manga called “Legend of the Ztarr”, and I believe she is currently working on a script for a sci-fi action movie based upon a dream she recently had (well, that one I might’ve exaggerated a bit). Unlike her usual appearances, we’re actually going to give her plenty of opportunity to talk, Friday, September 30th, at 9pm ET. Join us!

Here’s the link to the chat (will open ~30 minutes prior to the start time)
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/saramayhew20110930/ 

Yup, you heard it right, Brian Thompson, the Field Coordinator for the James Randi Education Foundation, will be on the video chat, September 9th, at the usual time (9pm ET) to talk about all of the upcoming JREF kick-ass-ed-ness, and if we’re lucky, he’ll be funny too. Don’t believe that such a stuffy and serious do-gooder can be funny? Check out his podcasts-a-plenty: Amateur Scientist, The Death Panel, and Ask a Canadian.

Trust me, he’s been on the chat before, it was fun, so you’ll definitely not want to miss it. JUST BE THERE.

Also, don’t forget the wickedly smart Fraser Cain [not Frasier Crane] will be on next week.

Yeah, you already knew, but I thought I’d remind you, you know, just in case. I’ll be here, ready to share TAM stories (if anyone is interested) and we’ll be discussing skeptical topics, you know, light, easy discussions like the take-over of Skepticism by those troublesome atheists, and such…

By the way, the 2 year anniversary of VDS is coming up in September, so bring your ideas for virtual panel discussions! 

Here’s the link, see you Friday:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20110805/

Announcing special guests: Massimo Pigliucci and Julia Galef. They will be joining us on Friday, July 8 at 9pm ET for a few hours to answer your questions in ‘virtual’ person.

You probably already know this incredibly smart duo does the blog and podcast thing called “Rationally Speaking”. And you’ve probably seen one or both of them speak at TAM, NECSS, or other places. No doubt you’ve also read, “Nonsense on Stilts”. Well, if you ever wanted to ask one or both of them something specific, or general, or just want to get another chance to hear them speak, well here you go.

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Prof. Pigliucci has a Doctorate in Genetics from the University of Ferrara (Italy), a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. He has done post-doctoral research in evolutionary ecology at Brown University and is currently Chair of the Philosophy Department at Lehman College and Professor of Philosophy at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. His research interests include the philosophy of biology, in particular the structure and foundations of evolutionary theory, the relationship between science and philosophy, the relationship between science and religion, and the nature of pseudoscience.

Prof. Pigliucci is the Editor-in-Chief of the open access journal Philosophy & Theory in Biology. He has been elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for fundamental studies of genotype by environmental interactions and for public defense of evolutionary biology from pseudoscientific attack.” 

In the area of public outreach, Prof. Pigliucci has published in national magazines such as Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, Philosophy Now, and The Philosopher’s Magazine among others. He has also been elected a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Pigliucci pens the “Rationally Speaking” blog, hosts the podcast by the same name, and publishes the “5-minute Philosopher” videos on YouTube.

At last count, Prof. Pigliucci has published 113 technical papers in science and philosophy. He is also the author or editor of 12 technical and public outreach books, including Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism and the Nature of Science (Sinauer), Making Sense of Evolution: Toward a Coherent Picture of Evolutionary Theory (with Jonathan Kaplan, University of Chicago Press), and most recently Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press).

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Julia Galef is a New York-based writer and public speaker specializing in science, rationality, and design. She serves on the board of directors of the New York City Skeptics, co-hosts their official podcast, Rationally Speaking, and co-writes the blog Rationally Speaking along with philosopher of science Massimo Pigliucci. She has moderated panel discussions at The Amazing Meeting and the Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism, and gives frequent public lectures to organizations including the Center for Inquiry and the Secular Student Alliance. Julia received her B.A. in statistics from Columbia in 2005.

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A few things to note about this chat: Unfortunately, Massimo can only commit an hour to the event due to other engagements, so if you want to talk w/ him, make sure to show up on time. I’m going to limit the number of people on video during that hour to minimize problems, but if you “raise your hand”, I’ll put you on video to ask your question. Also, since Julia appears to be quite busy this week as well, there is a chance she might not make it all.

Anyway, since I know we get a fun and intelligent crowd, I have no doubt that they will enjoy the experience enough that we’ll be able to get them back again sometime.

Be there!

Here’s the link to join:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/massimojulia20110708/

Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth! Well, perhaps not the greatest, and well, perhaps not really a show either, well, it’s fun, and there will be other skeptical-types there, well, not really there physically, kind-of in virtual space, sort of like video chat, well actually, it IS video chat. No, we all do wear pants, well, actually, if our lower bodies do end up on camera we wear pants, but no guarantees. Anyway, *ahem*, yes, there is an event tomorrow, so come hang out with us and we’ll talk about the Vegas thing that’s happening in two weeks, or perhaps other stuff.

Here’s the link:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20110701/