I’ll be on some panels. I’ll be in the parade. I’ll be selling and signing my books (briefly). But above all, I’ll be speaking on the topic of ancient Roman technology, and why the scientific and industrial revolutions did not occur then. The full DragonCon schedule is now available here. There’s an amazingly huge amount of cool stuff. Competing with which is my sad little self at four points this weekend:
Friday September 4
Skeptrack Kick-off 2015 : “A panel of some of our skeptic guests discussing who skeptics are & some of their passions” will include James Randi, Margaret Downey, Nick Eftimiades, Ian Harris, Steve Hill, Leighann Lord, and me. Friday at 10am (204–207 Hilton).
More About…Richard Carrier : A professional life dedicated to researching the history of religion & antiquity. Friday at 11:30am (204–207 Hilton). So, right after the first panel, it’s more about me, and a chance to buy my books and get them signed or inscribed or what have you. I’ll have some supply of On the Historicity of Jesus and Hitler Homer Bible Christ.
Saturday September 5
The DragonCon Parade : From 10am until 11 or 11:30 or something is the big parade through town. There will be many far more fabulously costumed folks than me. But I will be representing the Syrian skeptic and wit Lucian of Samosata, alongside people representing many other famous skeptics throughout history. We will be in the tenth slot this year, so pretty close to the front. After that, we’ll be talking about who we represented on a podcast.
Real Steampunk: How Ancient Roman Tech [Can Inspire] Writers & Designers : Then at 2:30pm (204–207 Hilton), “The Greco-Roman world had computers, vending machines, steam-powered automation…But why no industrial revolution?” I’ll discuss their achievements, how scholarship has radically changed our understanding of ancient tech in the last twenty or so years, and what I think is the most likely explanations for why the scientific and industrial revolutions didn’t take place then, even though they had everything in place, and were very close to it. I have a new slideshow built just for the purpose!
(Somewhere during the weekend I might also be in one of the autograph tracks for an hour. Check the schedule Friday to find out.)
Lots more is going on not just throughout DragonCon, but even just in the Skeptics Fan Track (Skeptrack). For just that line-up alone, see here.
Anyone who wants to buy a book from me but misses the Friday morning window, just email me or message me on Facebook (my settings are public, so anyone can) before 5pm on any day of the con. I’ll check all messages by 6pm, and get back to coordinate with anyone who asks (if you leave your cell number for texting, I’ll use that).
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P.S. And for those who are in or near Pennsylvania, don’t forget, I’ll also be at PASTAHCon in Harrisburg the following weekend! That’s just two weeks away.
Are the sessions being recorded? I’d love to see the Real Steampunk session, but I cannot attend the Con.
They were recorded. And I’m told they might get posted online eventually. I’ll announce that on my blog as soon as I know.
Oh man, there’s no way I can cross the Atlantic for this, but that ancient tech one is right up my alley.
You should try to meet Kenneth Hite while you’re at Dragoncon. You both are historians (well, he’s a writer and game designer but has a degree in history from U of Chicago), you’re both Cthulhu enthusiasts, you both play RPGs (Ken makes them for a living – he has IIRC worked with Jonathan Tweet, who created Over The Edge, your favourite rpg), and you both are whiskey drinkers. I wish I could get you both in a room with a microphone and a bottle of Glenmorangie and record the conversation.
I’d love that! But this conference is packed and gigantic. I’ve had troublele even meeting people I already know. 🙂 Certainly if you have any in with him, see if he”d be willing to send me a text at my business contact number (it can be found on my website, richardcarrier.info). I’d buy him a glass of Glennmorangie!