Every Labor Day weekend 40,000 or so geeks descend on Atlanta to revel in at least four days of Nerdvana at DragonCon (www.dragoncon.org). It’s the largest fan-based popular culture convention in the U.S. There is a fan track dedicated to almost any science fiction, fantasy, horror, game, comic, art, or geek subculture that you can think of. Since 2008, there’s even been a fan track for skeptics: Skeptrack (www.skeptrack.org).

Skeptrack emerged in 2008 as an offshoot of the original Science track. From time to time the Science track would host panels dedicated to skepticism and critical thinking. These panels were always popular and often packed to capacity. Eventually the DragonCon powers-that-be wondered if an entire track dedicated to skepticism would be worthwhile. They called on Science and Podcasting track veterans Derek Colanduno and Robynn “Swoopy” McCarthy to direct the fledgling Skeptrack – and it was a huge success! Nearly every panel was overflowing, and guests had to be turned away. Derek tells a story about one panel that even he couldn’t get back into so he had to hit the floor and crawl his way through the crowd to get to the microphone and introduce the panelists. The inaugural year of Skeptrack proved that it was definitely here to stay. In 2009 the track was given a bigger room, pulled in even bigger guests, and presented several live skeptic podcasts.

The Skeptrack Experience

Panelists this year included Dr. Phil Plait and Jeff Wagg from the James Randi Educational Foundation; Daniel Loxton of Junior Skeptic Magazine; DJ Groethe, Joe Nickell, and Ben Radford with The Center for Inquiry (CFI) and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI); David Silverman of American Atheists and the No God Blog; prominent scientists such as Dr. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) and Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute; and also several skeptical science fiction authors, bloggers, and podcasters. Oh, then a guy from a Discovery Channel TV show called Mythbusters – the indefatigable Adam Savage. Links to most of the panelists or their organizations can be found at the Skeptrack.org website. Derek and Swoopy also maintain a Facebook page for Skeptrack here.

Like DragonCon itself, the experience at Skeptrack is a bit like homecoming. I spend most of my life surrounded by people who aren’t skeptical of anything, who are not rational or critical thinkers, who often talk about their “church home” and expect me to share their faith. It’s a relief to return to Skeptrack and find a place where I feel like I belong. It’s a bit like a family reunion, except with family that you actually like!

The Skeptrack Panels

A complete list of panels may still be available at the Skeptrack website. Panels began at 1 pm on Friday, September 4th and the skeptic party didn’t stop until the wrap-up panel at 4 pm on Monday, September 7th. Quite a few of the discussions focused on the role of atheism in skepticism and how skeptical believers and non-believers can try to work together. Other discussions were about the current state of the skeptic movement and its future. Daniel Loxton did his wonderful presentation on “What Do We Do Next?”. Several skeptical podcasts presented live shows from the Skeptrack room, including American Freethought, The Skeptic Zone, The Geologic Podcast, Skeptoid, and one of my personal favorites, The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe.

Surprise last minute guest Adam Savage was present at two very popular panels. The first was mostly about Mythbusters and drew a massive crowd in one of the ballrooms. The other was called “Stealth Science” about getting across a critical thinking or scientific message in entertainment form. Speaking of education through entertainment, there were a couple of panels for skeptical parents and kids — “The Skeptics Guide to Parenting” and the “Mystery Investigators Children’s Show” hosted by the friendly skeptics from the Australian show Mystery Investigators.

Did you miss all the fun?

If you weren’t able to attend Skeptrack 2009, don’t worry! Derek and Swoopy are already making plans for next year, and all of the panelists vowed to come back. Though James Randi was absent this year due to illness, he promised to be back next year via a short video to the audience to express his regret at having to miss the 2009 show. Skeptrack is a great opportunity for those of us who can’t make it out to Las Vegas or London for one of Randi’s JREF Amazing Meetings. If you have a skeptical frame of mind, check Skeptrack out!

Related Posts:

1. The Skeptrack Experience at DragonCon – Part 2

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