Eastercon schedule ...

[tamaranth]

Sat 15:30 Not the Clarke Awards
"Our panel of ex-Clarke judges discuss the latest shortlist, what they would pick, and predict the result*"
Edward James (moderator), Farah Mendlesohn, Claire Brialey, Tony Keen, Tanya Brown

Sun 12:30 Depictions of music in SF&F literature and dramatic features.
Mike Cobley (moderator), Tanya Brown, Gary Lloyd

Sun 15:30 Composers who write music for SF&F
"From the early composers inspired by fantasy and mythology, to more recent composers of music for SF television and film"
Martin Kier Glover (moderator), Gary Lloyd, Tanya Brown

Sun 21:00 Why do fans love cats and can we get them to stop?
""I find it morally inconceivable that any human could waste their affection on a creature that takes such delight in torture and selfishness." - Adam Roberts, in his review of Accelerando. Our panel of cat people explain the appeal."
Sue Mason (moderator), Farah Mendlesohn, Tanya Brown, Jon Courtenay Grimwood

* for values of 'predict' including 'are wrong about'

Comments

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Nice one!

[dharma-slut.livejournal.com]

""I find it morally inconceivable that any human could waste their affection on a creature that takes such delight in torture and selfishness." -

That's exactly why I love them so much!

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

exactly: what's not to love?

[autopope.livejournal.com]

"I find it morally inconceivable that any human could waste their affection on a creature that takes such delight in torture and selfishness." - Adam Roberts, in his review of Accelerando.

*Headdesk*

Adam Roberts apparently didn't notice that Aineko is not a cat -- but an AI that uses a cat-shaped robot as a sock-puppet for AI-human interactions, because humans can't conceptualize a small furry critter like a cat as an existential threat.

Gaah ....

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

I'm 100% happy to retitle the panel "Adam Roberts: Bad and Wrong. Discuss."

Though Aineko is obviously in trouble where AR is concerned -- sock-puppet DOEZ NOT WERK

[despotliz.livejournal.com]

I think that the one sentence I have cheekily nicked for a panel description works a lot better in context, when he goes into more detail about why Aineko doesn't work for him, which is not purely his dislike of cats. Although he really really doesn't like cats.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

just for my own reference, am appending link to the review in question (http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/clarkes2006.htm#stross). I think you are right, despotliz, about him really really not liking cats. But I do wonder if autopope has a point -- AR certainly doesn't clarify the sockpuppetness.

Sorry, must curtail comment, am being oppressed by my feline overlord.