The Amazing Meeting 5, Las Vegas (TAM5)

In late January, I attended "The Amazing Meeting 5", in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Amazing Meeting (or TAM5, for those in the know), was started by James "The Amazing" Randi, a well known magician and skeptic, who has his own charitable organization, the James Randi Educational Foundation, in Florida. Randi is well connected, having been in both the entertainment business and also well known among those of a skeptical mind, so there's always a great lineup, including the following guests (and click on any photo for comments, notes, and larger sizes):

Penn and Teller (and James Randi):


The Mythbusters (two years in a row!)


The creators of Comedy Central's "South Park", Trey Parker and Matt Stone:


From Saturday Night Live and Sex and the City, Julia Sweeney:


Vanity Fair writer (and author) Christopher Hitchens:


Peter Sagal, of National Public Radio (NPR)'s "Wait, wait, don't tell me".


The Skepchick, Rebecca Watson:


The "Bad Astronomer" Phil Plait, of Sonoma State University:


British Psychologist and author (and magician) Richard Wiseman, and yours truly, the Froggy, and tadpole:


National Council of Science Education President Eugenie Scott:


President of the Skeptics Society, and Skeptic Magazine publisher, Michael Shermer:


Overall, I really had a great time. It was the largest skeptics event ever (800 people), but still small enough to meet every speaker personally, and learn a lot. The largest podcasts, Skepticality, and the Skeptics Guide to the universe, were there, as well as CNN, the Las Vegas newspapers and television stations also. There's a lot of smart people in this group, that's for sure. The speakers were definitely hit and miss (who knew the editor of the Onion could be such a boring speaker?), but this event is really "amazing". Don't miss it if you are in Vegas next June (they moved it to the hot Vegas summer so more teachers can attend). Plus, where else do you see t-shirts like this?