Thu Talk Descriptions (in numeric order) (count 256)

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G. David Nordley reviews a number of areas in which advanced biotechnology could aid interstellar flight, such as "cold sleep," recycling, and radiation tolerance.

Okay, you've written a novel, created a comic book, or done a series of dynamite drawings. How can you get your "intellectual property" from where its at to the tv and movie screen?

Every member of L.A.con IV is a member of WSFS, the World Science Fiction Society, and is eligible to attend and vote at the Society's Business Meetings. It's here that the Constitution and Rules that govern the Worldcons are discussed and voted upon. The agenda for the main meeting will be set at today's meeting. Exercise your rights as a member of the Society by attending and voting.

With science budgets declining, does non-applied research have a future? What does this mean for researchers? For research? What will a world without basic research be like?

A look at what to look forward to from Sci Fi in the coming year.

Have we reached a point where SF fans no longer share a common literary background? Until recently, there was a certain body of work that almost every SF fan was familiar. Heinlein, Herbert, Bradbury, Bester, to name a few of the giants. But many SF fans today haven't even heard of them. Instead, they're choosing Mercedes Lackey and David Eddings or Greg Bear and David Brin. We used to share a common body of literature and that sharing drew us together. Is that no longer true? Does this lack of commonality matter?

There are some films with a bad reputation but which are really quite good. There are some films with a good rep which are just dogmeat. A few highly opinionated film fans will discuss these overrated films and overlooked movies with the aide of the audience.

There's little that's more annoying then to be reading a good SF story and to come across an alien that's either `just a guy in a suit' or too far from what evolution and the laws of physics would allow to be believed. So what does it take to create a believable alien?

We all know The Lord of the Rings but what about his short fiction?

Our distinguished panel of experts explains why certain widely-seen SF and fantasy elements that seem absurd actually have legitimate explanations. Come hear why it makes sense for barbarian sword babes to wear chain-mail bikinis, why computers on starships never crash or lock up with indecipherable error messages, and why male scientists in SF are always really good looking guys who are irresistible to brilliant, beautiful women.

A Pisces One Expedition Report on the adventures, misadventures, and scientific research under taken by the joint Brazilian, Swedish, Canadian and American "Pisces Expedition" last winter at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah.

How to make your gaming experiences fun and enjoyable for yourself and the other players. Panelists also discuss their favorite games and any new games you should know about.

Some writers work in more than one genre. SF. Horror. Mystery. Romance. Westerns. Whatever. Does working in one area influence the way you write in another? Also, some books are in more than one genre. Does that ever work?

Everyone knows the hero/heroines journey, the basis for nearly everything written in fantasy fiction. But what about other archetypes? The Tarot has 22 in all. How do these other archetypes reflect in fiction? Forget the hero/heroine, let's talk about death, the empress, the hanged one, the universe, the priestess, the fool...

Science fiction is filled with "alternate histories". But so are history books. "History is written by the victors," wrote Machiavelli. Time does its part for re-writing history, too. Alternate histories abound. Think American Indians were noblemen of the plains who all lived in harmony with the land? Guess again. Then there's Disney's version of Pocahontas. And don't forget Shakespeare's rewriting of Richard III.

A talk by Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer on, well, bad astronomy and popular misconceptions.

"It must be true, I saw it on the Internet." How has pseudo-science infected popular culture lately? How does this kind of charlatanism interfere with progress and rational discourse? Are there things we can do to counter the untruths that are spread around?

A classic saying within the world of science fiction. Is it true? Is that the age when you'll really develop a sense of wonder? Is it a good thing or bad? And what does it say for science fiction in general?

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a...? What would happen if our technological dreams came true? If we had transporters or free, unlimited energy? And how would things change if we had them?

Rick Sternbach, long time Senior Illustrator and Technical Consultant for most all versions of Star Trek from the first film on, presents a slide show of his artwork for Star Trek.

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The terrors and rewards of putting wings on your costume, plus handy tips on how to make wings, wear them, and survive the experience.

Panelists survey and review some of the best recent efforts.

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A revival of the classic British radio game show. There are four contestants. The aim of the game is to talk for one minute on a subject given by the Quizmaster, without hesitation, deviation from the subject or repetition of individual words (apart from those in the title of the subject). Other contestants hit their buzzers to interrupt if they think the speaker has broken one of those rules, and if the Quizmaster agrees with them, they take on the subject for however much of the minute is left, and can get similarly interrupted themselves. It often becomes very funny, but allows a good speaker to display great skill and intelligence.

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Composers of scores for science fiction films and television talk about how they create the music we're not supposed to notice that makes the films and shows we watch so much better.

What can you believe?

J.K. Rowling paints a negative picture of Slytherin House, its principles, and its students. Why would Hogwarts even have a house for teaching evil wizards? Isn't putting them together likely to end up just reinforcing their evil ways? Or will the final book in the Harry Potter series show us, somehow, that these characters aren't, um, lost to the dark side?

Television is filled with shows about science: the science of criminal forensics. How realistic are those shows and how much of what they portray is science fiction?

Eventually, the inner solar system will be crowded. Will we explore, exploit, and settle the vicinity of the outer planets? How about comets? The fringes of interstellar space? How? Why?

As the ship's counselor on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Marina Sirtis had a character who changed drastically through the seven years of the series. Hear her tell about it and answer questions about what really went on and how she brought more depth to her half-betazoid mind-reading mental healer.

We write about alien civilizations, but there are cultures we don't know about among us. One of the ways to write alien cultures is to talk to people in cultures outside that are alien to us.

Twenty years ago, Cyberpunk was "it" in science fiction. It was bold, exciting, full of new ideas. What happened? Or is it still with us in different clothes?

It's not the same as reviewing books. Or is it? What special skills do you need to review movies and TV? Here from professional critics what it takes to do the job well.

Aliens in science fiction come in virtually all shapes, sizes, and colors. But, if they're out there, what will real aliens be like? Not just physically. How will they think? Will they have the same type of emotions and moral/ethical feelings we do? How will we say Hello?

Often the difference between an amateur writer and a professional is that the pro knows how to rewrite and the amateur thinks he got it right the first time.

There have been strong, female characters in science fiction at least since Jirel of Joirey. This genre hasn't avoided the pitfalls entirely but it's done better than many. Or has it?

Which political ideologies from science fiction novels could and/or do work in real life? Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Starship Troopers? Margaret Atwood's The Handmaids Tale? The whole Star Trek universe?

Practical and fun demonstrations of physics and other scientific stuff.

Drama is about conflict. With military stories, conflict and tension are pretty much automatic. But are there any rules? What do you have to get right? What liberties can you take? And if it’s the future and maybe alien races, can’t the military structure be different?

What is all this filk stuff? What were those strange sounds in the Laguna Room? Learn how to be a Filker. Actual singing is NOT required.

Make people think you can play guitar better than you really can.

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A panel on how to make handy headpieces for your costumes.

What are your favorites? (Or least favorites?) Our panel will tell you theirs and ask for yours. Have reasons waiting.

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Just what is Podcasting? How does it work and why should I care? And what roll does it have in the future of science fiction?

So many science fiction and fantasy stories are set in Los Angeles. What makes Los Angeles such a great place to write about?

XCOR Aerospace, Inc. is a small NewSpace company located on the Mojave Airport/Spaceport, founded with the idea that everyone should be able to afford a ticket to ride into space. Since their inception in September, 1999, they have designed, built, tested, and perfected five generations of rocket engines, flown their test bed demonstrator -- the EZ-Rocket (a modified Long EZ aircraft with two XCOR rocket engines) -- 26 times, setting one official world record and several unofficial records. The company wants YOU to be able to go to space and are here at WorldCon to tell us how they can accomplish that.

So just what is Lost? Is it a science fiction series? If it's not, what is it? And why do so many people like it?

See the new, expanded special edition of Free Enterprise, the legendary cult classic about two sci-fi fans who meet their idol William Shatner and find out he's even more screwed up than they are. Starring Eric McCormack and William Shatner as himself, you can watch it in the comfort of fellow geeks just like you. Featuring new scenes and special effects! The new 2 DVD Special Edition was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment in March 2006, but this is the first time to be able to see it projected on the big screen, and, for the very first time, with an introduction and Q&A by the creators themselves, no, not Jackson Roykirk, but writer/producer Mark A. Altman and director/writer Robert Meyer Burnett. See it again for the very first time -- unless, of course, this is your first time.

Over 100 years ago, L. Frank Baum started what may be the most expansive fantasy series ever, with over 40 "official" books and countless unofficial books, stories, comics, films, etc. with new works still coming out. Just what is the "magic" of Oz that keeps generation after generation coming back to it?

It's important to stimulate a child's mind early, to give them a desire to learn. Elementary school brings us into contact with reading, arithmetic, music, art, science, and more. Science fiction and fantasy, including fairy tales and mythology, can be used to inform children about all of these subject areas and more, and can excite them about reading and learning.

The people behind the largest genre website on the planet, scifi.com, want to know what you want them to be putting on the site. Come to the panel and tell them what you think their site needs.

Barbie says "Math is hard!". Women scientists talk about how science fiction gave them confidence to pursue careers in male-dominated fields such as theoretical chemistry and nuclear physics. What sort of resistance or encouragement did they encounter? How can we get the next generation of girls excited about math and science?

The Writers of the Future contest has been going on for several years and many budding SF and fantasy writers have entered, won, and gone on to make professional sales. Now there's a new contest for Illustrators. How do go about entering these contests and why should you enter?

The Washington Monthly's Political Animal blogger brings his worldview on politics to the Worldcon and lets us know what he thinks is in store in the decades to come.

Vampires are making a resurgence. And not just with the usual horror readers. They've gone mainstream, with some tales of vampirism reaching the bestseller lists. But what about the books that cast a different light (you should excuse the expression) on vampires, as heroes with bad press?

Performers from the original series talk about their adventures, on and off the air, making one of the classics of television science fiction. Fans offer their remembrances of the show as well.

Script writing is whole different medium from writing novels and short stories. How is it different from writing prose? And what's it like working in television and the movies?

Hear about what science fiction and fantasy novels Warner Books has in store for the future.

Burning Man is a world onto itself. Is it science fiction made real or a return to ancient days? Or a little of both. Come see a slide show and hear about just what happens at this extravaganza event.

What makes an unsolicited manuscript catch an editor's eye? Magazine editors discuss what they're looking for, what they see too much of, and the do's and don'ts for genre short story writers and poets.

Going to a con when the rent is due Monday. Helpful hints for cutting corners without cutting the fun. Or Hey Buddy, Can you spare a ride.

What will the blue collar jobs of future be? Mechanic for the hamburger flipping machines at McDonalds? What changes will we see for the white collar set?

Movie rights, tie-in books, toys! That's where you really make money. What are the ins and outs ancillary rights? What can you really make? Where can you go wrong? How much do you need to know about copyright and trademark?

Novels seem to always pits good versus evil, the hero/heroine (who must do battle, sacrifice endlessly, travel to the ends of the earth to save the world) and the evil protagonist. Sounds simple. But how do you define what is truly evil? And are your characters black and white or many shades of gray? How bad is the bad guy? Is evil marked by character, action, the enormity of destruction, the totality of deceit, or is it possible that evil is in the perception?

For children of all ages and sizes.

Bring yourself, pen/pencil, two IDs -- passport and drivers license are good. Also bring copies of your key info to share: KeyID, Key Owner, Key fingerprint, Key size, Key type.

Small scale details, finishing touches, and delicate work for close-up effects.

Come meet Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund (TAFF) and Down Under Fan Fund (DUFF) winners and hear about the multi-decade old funds to help bring fans from one continent to another. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about fandoms in the UK and Australia.

George RR Martin Fandom

Come take a guided tour of the Art Show with a knowledgeable guide who won't lead you astray. Check the schedule for additional tours and guides.

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Gamers, writers, and artists who have designed popular FRP games discuss what it takes to create an interesting, playable game.

John Varley said "We all love after-the-bomb stories. If we didn't, why would there be so many of them?" Why do we all love them? During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear annihilation was very real; today, the world is a different place, but the threat of annihilation is once again very real. Has the sub-genre changed? How are 21st Century post-apocalyptic stories different from those written during the Cold War era?

Which ten books would you want to take with you to a desert island? How about give to someone who says they don't like science fiction or fantasy? Give to a new reader?

Going from amateur to professional is a big step. How do you get started? Should you write every day, whether the muse strikes or not? What mistakes shouldn't you make? Writers who have recently broken in will give you their advice today. Editors and others will advise in Part II on Friday.

A critical discussion of the novels and short fiction up for the Hugo Award this year. What's going to win? What should win?

It was Fandom that kept Star Trek alive for years after its cancellation and was the tool that eventually brought it back. Which recently cancelled show has the kind of Fandom that will keep the show alive even though it's not on the air? Which will be the next Trek? Buffy? Xena? Firefly? Or ???.

A look at the University of California, Riverside's renown special collection on science fiction, including books, fanzines, and more. The librarians overseeing the collection talk about what treasures their library contains, what it takes to maintain such a collection, why people donate their collections to them, and why a university library is interested in keeping such an enormous horde of science fiction.

Science fiction has become more permissive over the years, as has most other media and genres. But are we now too violent? Is there anything wrong with violence as a theme? Should I punch out your lights if you disagree?

Forty years ago, in 1966, the American airwaves were hit with a "camp classic" before anyone knew what that meant. Batman was so popular, with it's "pows" and "whams" and over-the-top villains it ran two nights a week. How did that series change the television (and popular culture) landscape? What effect did the series have on the comics it came from?

Writers of TV and Film adaptations and spin-offs discuss the process of going from screen to the printed page and the challenges of bringing their creativity to these works, the secrets for making them good, and more.

The HiRISE camera is the most powerful camera sent to another planet and can resolve objects the size of a dishwasher from its orbit 190 miles above the surface of Mars. What do we hope to learn? How does this camera work?

Three shows about an alien invasion, all involving the oceans, and all debuting in the same season. What can it all mean? Were any of them any good?

What sort of rights are associated with a literary work? What sort of choices is your publisher making for you? Your editor? Your agent? How much control can you maintain over your work?

The value of science fiction and fantasy artwork has appreciated greatly over the years. Twenty years ago, an expensive work in an Art Show was still well-under $100. Today, that's cheap. SF art can command many thousands of dollars for a single piece. Collectors and appraisers will give you the ins and outs of collecting and protecting SF art.

Once a book is published, how does it end up in your hands? And how has that pathway been changing over the last two decades?

2001: A Space Odyssey is considered by many one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. Now, being prepared for the 40th anniversary of the original, is a remake for today's generation. Meet some of the filmmakers and hear their plans.

James Patrick Baen's life in science fiction and fantasy publishing started in the complaint department of Ace Books. He's been editor of magazines and novels, edited anthology series, and started his own publishing company, Baen Books, which publishes both on paper and on the internet. Hear friends and co-workers celebrate the life of this recently-lost mainstay of science fiction publishing.

You don't have the money to take out ads in "Publishers Weekly" or "Time Magazine". What do you do to build "brand value"? How do you promote yourself without turning off your audience? How do you get more sales? How can you connect with your fledgling fan base?

Here are activities that give us great personal pleasure but somehow, down deep inside, we're just a bit ashamed to admit that we like the Smurfs... or bowling... or mud wrestling. Hear people reveal their Guilty Pleasures and why they indulge.

The historical perspective. Overview of some of the awards, current and defunct. What do they all mean?

In recent years, China has made a concerted push to explore space. Come hear about what they've been doing lately and whatever we know about what they've got planned for the future.

An examination of Rudyard Kipling’s poetry as filk lyrics.

Rick Sneary and other Southern California fans started a joke which became a slogan which begat a Worldcon.

How do filk custons and traditions differ across the globe? How are they similar? How does Interfilk affect this?

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For parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders such as hyperlexia, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, etc. to discuss living with autistism.

Bring your problems. Let's figure out how to solve them.

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Generations of engineers and agronomists have turned California's deserts into lush farmland. Nearly 80% of California's water is used for agriculture. What is the long-term environmental impact of this water diversion and artificial fertility? Are California's farms a triumph of human ingenuity or an unsustainable house of cards? Should industrial countries become net importers of food from more fertile places, or can we rely on an ongoing technological cornucopia to feed the rich nations?

The annual meeting of the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. Learn about the Chesley Awards and what ASFA can do for artists.

Come take a guided tour of the Art Show with a knowledgeable guide who won't lead you astray. Check the schedule for additional tours and guides.

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We're always hearing the science fiction is a literature of ideas. And that this or that was a great idea. What just didn't work? What seemed like a good idea at the time but...

Finding the perfect science fiction or fantasy novel for your child, niece, or nephew.

Just like the similarly named television series, expert appraisers will give you their views on just what your junk is worth? Is that first edition a priceless treasure or a doorstop? Is that painting firewood or worth a king's ransom. Forget the jewels and Tiffany lamps. Bring in your science fiction and fannish collectibles for appraisal. (Appraisal items can include books, magazines, toys, movie memorabilia, posters, original art, and other items of fan interest.)

A discussion of old and new ideas about space propulsion. Old standards: laser sustained propulsion, tethers, nuclear rockets, wormholes. New ideas: the Alcubierre warp drive, tachyon propulsion, axion ramjets.

Some of the actors who have portrayed Klingons, Ferengi, and other aliens on Star Trek talk about getting into a character that no one's ever met and life under latex.

What's going to happen to your complete collection of Amazing or all those Whalen paintings after you're gone?

An in-depth look at the art of bringing together the story, the dialogue, and the images that make comic books and graphic novels a unique art form.

Has human nature changed through recorded history, or are we the same old apes with new technology?

Dragons abound in fantasy and fairy tales but not all dragons are alike. From Real Musgrave's Pocket Dragons to Naomi Novik's giants, with Anne McCaffrey's more traditionally-sized dragons in between, not only their sizes vary but their personalities and capabilities as well. Writers of dragon tales talk about the whys and wherefores of dragons.

What was Space Opera, What is Space Opera, is there a renaissance of Space Opera, or was there, where and when?

The Novel, Novella, Short Story, etc. Is one just longer than the other or are they really different? And what about screenplays?

Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, debunks the "face on Mars" and other topics dealing with Mars pseudo-science.

Should Joss Whedon have done it? Was killing Wash the right move or the wrong one?

Is there a market for science fiction and fantasy via podcast? Is there even an audience? Can you make money directly or is it just a way to get your material known? If you're a reader/consumer, is this a good way to find science fiction and just how do you find what you want?

With the new Dr. Who, there's a resurgence of science fiction on UK television. Here what it is we're missing on this side of the pond.

The vast majority of Young Adult novels being published today are fantasy. Why aren't there more SF themes in Y.A.? What themes aren't being addressed because of the comparative lack of SF Y.A. novels? Are older writers afraid to write about future technology for kids who are immersed in tech that would've been regarded as SF a few decades ago?

Science fiction and fantasy publisher DAW Books has a lot in store in the coming months. See and hear what they have in store.

Even some of the most prominent writers don't make enough from their writing to give up their day jobs. What compromises do you have to make to make it work?

Artists and art directors talk about what makes for a good cover illustration, an eye-catching design, and increased sales

Get ready to match the stars! An SF-themed take on the classic 1970s game show. Audience members will be selected randomly as contestants, and can win prizes by matching the answers our panel give to questions like "Captain Kirk has the biggest ___ in Starfleet!" This is (theoretically) the family-friendly edition. Come see Match Game PM for a somewhat more freewheeling game.

Pace of narration is crucial to the feel of novels, and is one of the most interesting but least discussed aspects of fiction. Two great novelists, Olaf Stapledon and Virginia Woolf, had a brief exchange on this topic in the 1930s, coming at the topic from their two extremities of stream-of-consciousness and cosmological narrative. Listen as Kim Stanley Robinson describes that interaction and its later effect on the two artists, as a starting point to a larger discussion of how time is used and described in novels.

A discourse on the Paleofilkish Era, before 1970, and the Mesofilkish Era, 1970-1980, when Filkbook technology was introduced.

Be prepared to vote for the Pegasus Awards. Go down the list of Pegasus Nominees and sing/listen to all the songs we know.

Experienced photographers show you how to get the best from your costume photos, and costumers are shown how to pose for the best pics.

How has Worldcon bidding and organizing changed over the last 20 years. A few good SMOFs discuss the evolution, problems, and solutions? Any predictions about where we're headed?

Frustrated by the difficulties of dealing with newspaper syndicates, many funny animal artists (with many different styles!) have taken the do-it-yourself approach, putting their new strips up on the Internet.

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