You can't stop James "The Amaz!ng" Randi, and he's at it again with the Amaz!ng Meeting 6. Our theme this year - I, Skeptic: Modern Skepticism in the Internet Age.
New speakers this year include Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, PZ Myers, Matthew Chapman, and Sharon Begley. Many of our old friends will be joining us as well, including Phil Plait (the Bad Astronomer), Penn & Teller, Richard Saunders, Dr. Richard Wiseman, Dr. Michael Shermer, Adam Savage (from the Mythbusters), Steve Novella, and many more!
Don't forget the special opportunity to have dinner with Randi and many of these fabulous presenters. This special fundraiser is open to everyone, however space is limited, so register right away!
TAM attendees must be at least 12 years of age. (Daycare can be arranged though the hotel concierge.) Event speakers are subject to change without notice. If you would like to cancel your registration please know that a cancellation fee may apply.
Once again JREF is issuing a call for papers to those who would like to share their work or accomplishments at the sixth annual Amazing Meeting, June 19-22, 2008 in Las Vegas.
Anyone may submit a request to present a paper. If your proposal is accepted you will be allotted 20 minutes for your presentation and an additional 5 minutes for questions and comments from the audience. more info
FEATURED PRESENTERS FOR TAM 6
Keynote speaker
Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, and director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. He served on George W. Bush’s Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry, and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal for his work.
He is President of The Planetary Society, and has authored eight books, including his memoir, The Sky is not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist.
Tyson is the host of the PBS program Nova, and is a regular guest on The History Channel’s The Universe. full bio
Dr. Michael Shermer
Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine ( www.skeptic.com ), the Executive Director of the Skeptics Society, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, the host of the Skeptics Distinguished Science Lecture Series at Caltech, and Adjunct Professor of Economics at Claremont Graduate University. full bio
Matthew Chapman
Matthew Chapman is a journalist, director, and author. He is the great-great grandson of Charles Darwin, and has written widely on the creation-evolution controversy in the United States. He authored 40 Days and 40 Nights: Darwin, Intelligent Design, God, Oxycontin, and Other Oddities on Trial in Pennsylvania, which focuses on the dissention surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. full bio
Adam Savage
Since 1993, Adam has concentrated on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones and currently co-host of Discovery Channel's MythBusters. full bio
Dr. Paul Zachary Myers
PZ Myers is a biology professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is an outspoken critic of intelligent design, and is an activist in the creation-evolution debate.
Myers maintains the blog Pharyngula, where he writes on creationism, biology, evolution, and scientific development. In 2005, Pharyngula won the Koufax Award for Best Expert Blog, which Nature describes at the top-ranked blog written by a scientist. full bio
Richard Wiseman
For over a decade, Professor Wiseman has worked with the media to help bring science and psychology to a wide and diverse audience.
His research has been featured in a large number of television programmes, including Horizon, Body Shock, 20/20, and Dateline. full bio
Penn & Teller
Ever at the ready to uncover more "Bullshit!" from their hot Showtime series, will update us on their latest adventures. full bio
Steve Novella
Dr. Steven Novella is the Director of General Neurology at Yale University School of Medicine, President of the New England Skeptical Society, host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, and is a contributing editor for Quackwatch, a blog that uncovers unethical medical practices. full bio
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
There are many more presenters than the ones you see above. Also scheduled to attend are: Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer), Sharon Begley, Greydon Square (hiphop artist), George Hrab, Dr. Art Benjamin, Benjamin Radford, Banachek, and Richard Saunders. For full list with bio information visit the TAM 6 presenters page here
Workshops & Shows
Workshop: The Real X-Files: Scientific Paranormal Investigations w/ Ben Radford Scheduled for: Thursday from 12:00 - 2:00 Ever wondered how a person goes about investigating a haunted house, a Bigfoot sighting, or a crop circle? In movies and on television it looks easy, but how do real-life paranormal investigators discover what really happened, separating truth from myth? (Hint: Ghost Hunters ain't it!)
Come find out in a unique, two-hour intensive workshop taught by CSI investigator Benjamin Radford. Radford is managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, columnist for LiveScience.com, and author of three books and hundreds of articles on science literacy, investigation, and the paranormal. He will share his experience and insights gained over a decade of first-hand field investigations of mysterious phenomena. Drawing from dozens of case studies involving lake monsters, psychics, and ghosts, Ben will explain the step-by-step process in investigations, including critical thinking, evaluating unusual claims, interviewing eyewitnesses, and conducting field experiments.
Workshop: Master Mneumonic Memory w/ Banachek Scheduled for: Thursday from 2:30 - 4:30 Banachek has stunned corporate, college, and television audiences for years with his amazing abilities. As one of the original "Alpha Kids," he fooled scientists for years. Now, he'll share some of his secrets with you.
Learn memory techniques from master mentalist Banachek when for the first time at TAM he works directly with workshop participants. What seems impossible now becomes second nature when Banachek shows you how.
Show: Mathemagic w/ Dr. Art Benjamin Scheduled For Thursday 9:00 pm Dr. Arthur Benjamin is both a professor of mathematics and a magician. He has combined his two loves to create a dynamic presentation called "Mathemagics," suitable for all audiences, where he demonstrates and explains his secrets for performing rapid mental calculations faster than a calculator. Reader's Digest calls him "America's Best Math Whiz". He has presented his high energy talk on over a thousand occasions to audiences throughout the world.
Dr. Benjamin has appeared on many television and radio programs, including: The Today Show, CNN, Amazing Discoveries! and National Public Radio. He has been profiled in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, Omni Magazine, Esquire Magazine, People Magazine, and Reader's Digest.
Show: George Hrab/Greydon Square double-bill Scheduled for Friday 8:00 pm Join George Hrab and Greydon Square as they team up for an evening of music, humor, and skepticism.
George Hrab (www.geologicrecords.net) has employed his musical talent and acerbic wit to produce many albums and videos, several of which are on YouTube (youtube.com/user/geologicrecords). Listen for yourself and see why George has become one of our most requested performers.
Greydon Square's brand of free thought rap has been turning heads and raising eyebrows across the Internet, and now he'll ply his wares for you. We'll let him speak for himself at myspace.com/greydonsquare. A recent article about him proclaimed "Atheist Rapper-African American Hip-Hop Artist Shatters Stereotype Tackling Age Old Theological Positions in Unique Form of Rap." Don't miss this.
What's the cost
Event Registration - JREF Member $ 425.00 For card carrying members of the foundation. Being a forum member only does not count.
Event Registration - Non Members $ 500.00 For general public admission please select this option.
Event Registration - Student Members $ 325.00 You must provide a valid student id once you register or your registration will be cancelled.
Event Registration - Student Non Members $ 400.00 You must provide a valid student id once you register or your registration will be cancelled.
Event Registration - Single Day Thursday $ 75.00 If you would like to attend just the reception this option is for you.
Event Registration - Single Day Friday $ 200.00 If you would like to attend just 1 day of the conference, this option is for you.
Event Registration - Single Day Saturday $ 200.00 If you would like to attend just 1 day of the conference, this option is for you.
Event Registration - Single Day Sunday $ 100.00 If you would like to attend the paper presentations on Sunday.
Workshop: Mnemonic - Banachek $ 60.00 Join world renowned mentalist Banachek for a powerful workshop, as he unlocks the secrets of using science and psychology to detect trickery.
Workshop: Scientific Paranormal Investigations w/ Ben Radford $ 60.00 Two-hour intensive workshop taught by CSI investigator Benjamin Radford about investigating a haunted house, a Bigfoot sighting, or a crop circle?
Show: MatheMagic with Art Benjamin $ 40.00 Mathemagics, suitable for all audiences, where he demonstrates and explains his secrets for performing rapid mental calculations faster than a calculator.
Show: George Hrab / Greydon Square Show $ 40.00 Double show with Hrab and Square.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund less $25 handling fee if cancelled by March.21. 25% penalty if cancelled between Mar. 22- April 20. 50% penalty if cancelled between April 21-June 13. No refunds after June 14.
Hotel Reservations
Flamingo Hotel & Casino 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Ph: 800-835-5686 Group Rate: $119.00 + taxes Group Code: SFJRE8 Cut Off Date: May 16, 2008
Phone Registration We have set up a telephone direct group with the Flamingo Hotel/Casino for our attendees. Call their reservation line at 1-800-835-5686. Our group will be listed as The James Randi Educational Foundation and can be referenced by using group code SFJRE8
Online Hotel Reservations The Hotel has also setup an online registration area for our attendees. Follow the link below and you will go directly to the group rate page Randi Group Rate
Also, Budget Car Rental has been chosen as the OFFICIAL provider of rental cars for TAM 6. For every car rented, the JREF gets credit towards car rentals for JREF use.
So you've seen enough and you're ready to register. You have some options so read on.
Phone Registration: If you would prefer to talk to an actual person and register, Linda Shallenberger is available to help you out. Linda is our operations manager and you can reach her by calling (954) 467-1112. If you are registering more then 1 person please have their names and contact info as we will need that information.
Fax Registration Download and print the PDF version of the registration form TAM6_registrationform
Via Shopping Cart We have added all the registration options for this conference to our online shopping cart under the TAM Registration category. You can choose individual amounts for each option. If you are registering more then one person via the shopping cart please make sure to enter the other attendees information in the comments section Link to shopping cart.
Online Registration Your options for online registration are below. In order to register for TAM 6 using online, you will need to register with the website and login. If you are already registered login and then come back to this page. If you are not registered click here to go to the registration page.
Once you register or login, you can sign up for the conference with the options below. *NOTE: due to limits in the system, you can sign up more than one person for the conference, but everyone will be signed up for the same things. You can not for example have 2 people signed up for the actual event and only 1 of them attend the dinner. Both people will have to attend the dinner. We're looking in to ways to overcome this limitation.
If you have any problems or need help please call Rich Montalvo at (954) 467-1112 or email rich@randi.org