Skepticamp Sydney 2012

Because I haven't cacked my dacks yet this year.

Regular readers of this blog (Hi family members and Christian singles!) may recall my New Year's Resolution for 2012. I wanted to do something that really scared me, and I decided that getting up in front of an audience and trying to be funny into a microphone would achieve that goal nicely. 

But it was not to be. I chose Raw Comedy for my forum, which happens to be one of the most publicised, and therefore populated, open-mic competitions in the country. I was put on a waiting list for a heat, and there I sat until the waiting list petered out into nothing. 

But a deliciously superior alternative has presented itself in the form of Skepticamp Sydney 2012.

"What is Skepticamp?" you may ask, unless you're one of Australia's intellectual elite. And it is, according to the online home of Skepticamp:

"...an informal, community-organized conference borne from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. Everyone from casual skeptics to the experienced participate, give talks and get to know each other."

In other words, a big, cosy, critically-thought-out group cuddle. Nice. And it's all un-organised by some amazing people like Jason Brown, @tinydalek, Dave the Happy Singer* and a host of others that I plan to wrap my arms around in a non-creepy way** on the day. 

And yes, I plan to speak. If I can haul my tired bottom from the Central Coast to Sydney in time to pop my name on the speakers' list, I will step up to the mike and deliver a short speculative piece entitled 'A Day in the Life of a Scrupulous Woo Pedlar'. 

And yes, it rhymes. It's what I have instead of a science qualification. 

Now here's a revolutionary idea: WHY NOT COME ALONG? It's this Saturday 26th May at 10am at the University of Technology on Broadway in Sydney. Go here for free tickets and more words. 

Here are some statements in support of my revolutionary idea:

It's free. It's fun. It has very nice very smart people at it. You'll learn something. THERE ARE CUPCAKES. There is lunch. It is not dangerous. It will give you some exciting ideas. There are (probably) no zombies going. There will be drinks afterwards. If you've ever been to a sciencey skeptically conferencey thingy before, you'll enjoy it. If you've never been to a sciencey skeptically conferencey thingy before, you'll enjoy it. Because I said so. Because you can do a talk if you want. Because you have nothing better to do. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bounce up and down with anticipation. 

*dot com

**unless otherwise requested