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Mark L. Olson
I'm a long-time SF fan who discovered SF long before I discovered fandom, and I discovered fandom long before I got involved in con-running, and only after that did I get involved in publishing. I've chaired several conventions including a Worldcon (Noreascon 3), a Boskone, a Smofcon, and co-chaired a Ditto and I've worked on numerous others. I've edited a dozen books and reviewed SF for Aboriginal. I prefer schlock SF to schlock fantasy.
In real life I'm an astronomer who realized that I needed to make a living so I got my degrees in chemistry -- and wound up doing software development management. (But I still love astronomy more than anything else.)
Programming for Mark L. Olson
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| Thu | 17:00 | (A13) | 1 hr |
Perspectives on the Golden Age of Science Fiction
Our panel encountered the Golden Age of Science Fiction at different points in the twentieth century. What was it like to to discover science fiction in the Golden Age, and Golden Age SF in later decades? |
| Thu | 21:00 | (A04) | 1 hr |
Collecting Fine Art in The Age of the Digital Print
Are two different collecting audiences emerging, one willing to buy prints, the other one satisfied only by paintings? How does the reduction in art commissions impact the illustrative art collector? How art collection is changing, for better or for worse. How to pursue the joy of collecting in the current era. |
| Thu | 22:00 | (A02) | 1 hr |
Art Identification Panel
A panel of expert artists and fans compete to identify science fiction and fantasy art from images -- who painted it and how do you know that? The panelists will not just identify the artist, but explain /why/ they coame to that decision. And if the panelists can't identify it, we'll give the audience a chance. Come to compete or just to watch and hear about Sf Art History. |
| Fri | 17:00 | (A03) | 1 hr |
The New Space Opera -- Still Going Strong
Space opera was once a term used to dismiss some types of science fiction. But things changed, and now space opera is not only thriving but a respected part of the genre. The panel looks at the space opera today. |
| Fri | 20:00 | (Naples7) | 1½ hrs |
Trivia for Chocolate
Come answer trivia questions and win chocolate. |
| Sat | 13:00 | (A05) | 1 hr |
The Year in Physics and Astronomy
A review of key news and developments in physics and astronomy over the past year. |
| Sat | 16:00 | (A10) | 1 hr |
Poul Anderson: A Retrospective on His Life and Works
Poul Anderson was one of our greatest writers, producing numerous classics in both SF and fantasy. He also contributed to fandom in many ways, writing filk songs, helping to found the SCA, and being a well-remembered convention attendee. The panel looks back on all of Anderson's contributions. |
| Sun | 13:00 | (D03) | 1 hr |
Man vs Robots: Who gets to Travel Space First
Should we be sending humans to Mars when robots are cheaper - or should the timeline for humans traveling to Mars be further out... |