Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

Josh Cryer · 2005-06-23 02:50:32

Hey, has anyone here presented anything at the Mars Society convention? I was thinking of doing a CELSS writeup, however, I don't know if I could make it this year. How does the process work? Can you send them a presentation writeup without being sure that you can show?

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-23 05:09:18

Yes, I presented a couple times. All you need to send is a brief abstract. It doesn't have to be terribly detailed, just a rundown of what you intend to show and how you arrive at the conclusion. Everytime I've been to the conventions there were a few presenters that didn't show. Ususally it wasn't a problem, they just work around the gap. It's definately better to let Maggie Zubrin or whoever is the designated contact this year know that as early as possible though.

I just checked and the deadline for submissions is June 30. Better get on it.

Josh Cryer · 2005-06-23 07:31:22

Yeah, I thought the deadline had long since passed, but I saw that they moved it up, so it made me want to throw out my opinion of CELSS.

What did you present before Cobra? I've never been to the convention. Been too broke or too busy to go.

BWhite · 2005-06-23 08:02:30

Yeah, I thought the deadline had long since passed, but I saw that they moved it up, so it made me want to throw out my opinion of CELSS.
What did you present before Cobra? I've never been to the convention. Been too broke or too busy to go.

Last summer Cobra and I stood next to each other listening to a fellow discuss building and zoning codes for Mars and the need for a bureaucratic infrastructure before Mars was opened for settlement.

Despite our other disagreements we shared a few moments in harmonious mockery of the speaker.

Rxke · 2005-06-23 08:15:58

A zoning system, no less!

lessee... here comes forest, there comes factories, and here we have bungalows
Oh, and no swimming allowed during duststorms!

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-23 09:28:54

What did you present before Cobra? I've never been to the convention. Been too broke or too busy to go.

Busy and broke, I know it well.

I had one paper that was just a look into how the New World colonial history applies in more depth than the Case for Mars addressed it. It's a little dated now, I don't stand behind everything in there anymore.

Everything after that was heresy.
Ideas on the requirements for governing and operating a colonization program, usually in direct contradiction to the direct-democracy stuff the Zubrin's have put forth from time to time. The first round was turned down by Maggie for being "contrary to popular thought and common sense" while last year's paper suffered a series of sudden venue changes and micromanaged on-the-fly schedule alterations.

A friend there thinks I was being deliberately screwed with, but I chalk it up to poor organization.

Despite our other disagreements we shared a few moments in harmonious mockery of the speaker.

Proof that we can set aside our differences when someone crazier than either of us shows up. :laugh:

clark · 2005-06-23 10:00:01

Proof that we can set aside our differences when someone crazier than either of us shows up.

Thus the stability of a two party system. :laugh:

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-23 10:11:48

Quote
Proof that we can set aside our differences when someone crazier than either of us shows up.

Thus the stability of a two party system.

Case in point.

Josh Cryer · 2005-06-26 16:22:38

Can't make it this year again. Damnit.

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 08:56:02

I just remembered another tip for anyone planning to present at a Mars Society Convention.

Powerpoint.

Please, for the love of God and humanity don't do it. Every year it gets more and more common, last year it seemed nearly everyone ran Powerpoint presentations, endless slides in blinding Star Trek colors that alternate between saying exactly what the speaker is reciting (often reading from the screen) or being totally irrelevant.

Only a mind-numbing slideshow could make Mars as boring as a first-quarter marketing report.

clark · 2005-06-30 09:05:09

What is the value in going to the Mars Society Convention?

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 09:07:50

Trolling in person is so much more rewarding.

clark · 2005-06-30 09:10:22

:laugh:

You are from Detroit.

Josh Cryer · 2005-06-30 10:09:21

What? I thought the main reason was to meet cute girls who have an interest in Mars.

Palomar · 2005-06-30 10:16:07

Can't make it this year again. Damnit.

*My husband and I won't be attending either. Home renovations, his sister is moving back to the area from over 1200 miles away in August, etc.

--Cindy

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 10:17:53

What? I thought the main reason was to meet cute girls who have an interest in Mars.

2001, Palo Alto.

Best. Conference. Ever.

clark · 2005-06-30 10:19:41

What? I thought the main reason was to meet cute girls who have an interest in Mars.

All three of them?

And CC, I don't want to know... :laugh:

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 10:25:15

All three of them?
And CC, I don't want to know...

Looks like you got the gist of it already.

clark · 2005-06-30 10:28:40

Well, I had heard that Earth girls were easy, but I never put much stock in it.

Apparently your definition of 'trolling' is rather broad. :laugh:

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 10:45:05

Apparently your definition of 'trolling' is rather broad.

Crass, yet I laugh. :laugh:

But seriously, in my experience Mars Society Conventions have been equal parts Mars talk, socializing and drinking. Having it on a major university campus in the middle of summer didn't do anything to help with the Mars stuff.

But then they also tend to be kind of cliquish, so I'm sure the experience isn't universal.

But alas I won't be attending this year either. Probably just as well.

clark · 2005-06-30 10:50:01

Well, at least our daughters are safe this year.

How isit cliquish?

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 11:06:56

Well, at least our daughters are safe this year.

Hey, with both Bill and I being married the field is yours. :laugh:

How is is cliquish

It just tends to fragment into groups along age or occupation lines. It's not all that pronounced I suppose and many people make an effort to talk with anyone and everyone, but cliquing definately occurs from day one. Very quickly everyone has a certain group they stick with, it's interesting from a sociological point of view, watching natural human pack behavior since most everyone starts out as a stranger.

Except the regulars of course, I've gone to enough (3) to recognize them without being one.

But well developed eye-rolling muscles are a must, they'll be used extensively.

clark · 2005-06-30 11:17:02

Hey, with both Bill and I being married the field is yours.

Women who want to go to Mars? Now there is an interesting sociological perspective. :laugh:

Not that women can't or shouldn't be interested in Mars, just that such an affliction is not really predominant among the female gender (the board ought to be an example of that).

Except the regulars of course, I've gone to enough (3) to recognize them without being one.

Three? So are you a card carrying member then?

Cobra Commander · 2005-06-30 11:25:13

Three? So are you a card carrying member then?

Intermittently. I only renew when I attend the conferences, otherwise I let it lapse.

Why? Well, I'll put it this way. How many analog research stations do we need, really?

clark · 2005-06-30 11:34:10

Hey, I understand. I tend to be a bit leery of funding organized groups that lay claim to free ideas.

What are there now, three analog stations? What have they been doing with all that plywood?

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#1 2005-06-23 02:50:32

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#2 2005-06-23 05:09:18

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#3 2005-06-23 07:31:22

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#4 2005-06-23 08:02:30

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#5 2005-06-23 08:15:58

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#6 2005-06-23 09:28:54

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#7 2005-06-23 10:00:01

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#8 2005-06-23 10:11:48

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#9 2005-06-26 16:22:38

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#10 2005-06-30 08:56:02

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#11 2005-06-30 09:05:09

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

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Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#13 2005-06-30 09:10:22

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

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Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

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Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

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Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#17 2005-06-30 10:19:41

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#18 2005-06-30 10:25:15

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#19 2005-06-30 10:28:40

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#20 2005-06-30 10:45:05

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#21 2005-06-30 10:50:01

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#22 2005-06-30 11:06:56

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#23 2005-06-30 11:17:02

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#24 2005-06-30 11:25:13

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

#25 2005-06-30 11:34:10

Re: Mars Society Convention - Presentation question.

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