Mad Art Lab will be invading Dragon Con next week! That’s right, Dragon Con is next week. *commences flailing and trying to sew all the things at once, ends up in a ball of fabric, worbla scraps, and disgruntled cats in front of the computer* For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, Dragon Con is a gigantic multi-fandom convention held over Labor Day weekend every year in downtown Atlanta. It doesn’t matter what you’re nerdy about, there is something to fit your interests.
This year at Dragon Con, Mad Art Lab’s A, Raychelle, Ryan and I will all be talking science in the science track, and Charles will be running tech ops for the puppet track and terrorizing people with giant sandworm puppets during the Puppet Slam.
Here are the panels we’ll be involved in. Stop in and say hi! I promise we don’t bite. (Well, it’s possible the sandworm bites. I’m not getting too close to it.)
The Social Aspects of Space Colonization
Friday, 10:00 am, Hilton 210-211
Space colonization often involves conversations about rockets and engineering, but what about society? If we colonize space, what will these societies look like, act like, and how will that affect humankind as a whole?
Panelists: Ben Davis, Charles Gannon, Emily Finke, Kishore Hari (M), Lali DeRosier
Scientific Fantasy Novels
Friday, 11:30 am, Hilton 210-211
N.K. Jemisin used real-world geology as a foundation for her fantasy novel “The Fifth Season,” while geologists have figured out Westeros’s geological ages. Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy is filled with info about transitional ecosystems. Let’s explore how science appears in fantasy.
Panelists: Mika McKinnon, Scicurious, Emily Finke, Pamela Gay (M)
The Quantified Vagina
10:00 pm, Hilton Grand Salon East
It’s 2016, and we have a bluetooth tampon, “Female Viagra,” and Fitbits tracking our sleep. But does science back these up? Ask your anonymous sex and health questions in this raucous late-night panel.
Panelists: Emily Finke, Raychelle Burks, AB Kovacs, Ryan Consell, Scicurious, Stephen Granade (M)
Getting Away With Murder
Saturday, 5:30 pm, Hilton Crystal Ballroom
Don’t murder people. It’s morally wrong, and illegal to boot. But *could* you get away with it? Are there untraceable poisons, or ways to hide bodies that people won’t find when they play Pokémon Go?
Panelists: Raychelle Burks (M), Mika McKinnon, Leigh Mansfield, Torrey Stenmark, Jessica Parilla
Science vs Movies (Facebook Event)
Saturday, 10:00 pm, Hilton Crystal Ballroom
Movies are to entertain, not to teach! Except…how *could* you fit three Transformers in a standard Space Shuttle? Our “experts” will explain how the science in movies is 100% totally accurate, guaranteed. (Be sure to make them explain Armageddon!)
Panelists: Eric Spana, Lali DeRosier, Trevor Valle, Raychelle Burks, Ryan Consell
Better Alcohol and Perfect Steaks
Sunday, 11:30 am, Hilton 210-211
Ever wondered about the chemistry involved in making a perfect steak? How exactly does fermentation work to make those tasty, silliness-inducing beverages? Join us for a fun discussion about the science behind the sizzles!
Panelists: Raychelle Burks (M), Chad Ramey, Torrey Stenmark, Trevor Valle
Impractical Immortality
Sunday, 1:00 pm, Hilton 210-211
Immortality isn’t a real option yet. Why is that? Enjoy an informational panel discussing the limitations and possibilities of technologies such as cryonics, head transplants and ending cell degradation to allow humans to live forever.
Panelists: Tedd Roberts, Emily Finke, Leigh Mansfield, Tina Saey, Bob Novella, Yin-Yin Wang (M)
Scientists Ruin Everything in Movies!
Sunday, 7:00 pm, Hilton 210-211
Dammit, movie scientists! Join the discussion as we discuss misrepresentations of science and outright deceptions in movies. How can we dig ourselves out of this hole and work toward a more accurate representation of science in the media?
Panelists: Eric Spana, Kishore Hari, Nicole Gugliucci, Mohamed Noor, Raychelle Burks (M)
The Late Night Puppet Slam
Monday, 12am (Actually Sunday evening. You’ll still be awake. Don’t pretend like you won’t.), Peachtree Ballroom
Bob & Carl, the Sci-fi Janitors, will be your hosts for a variety show of adult puppet acts featuring the talents of the guests and pros of the Puppetry Track.
Megafauna in Spaaaace!
Monday, 1:00 pm, Hilton 210-211
What would alien megafauna look like? Join us in a discussion about integral trees, tardigrades being used to seed planets, sandworms on Dune, and what the biomes in space may look like.
Panelists: Emily Finke, Ryan Consell, Pamela Gay (M)
