TAM, the amaz!ng meeting

Join James Randi, Phil Plait and special guests for a fundraising celebration of science, critical thinking and entertainment in the heart of the city.

http://www.tamlondon.org/

James Randi will be one of the speakers. James Randi is a stage magician and scientific skeptic.
Randi began his career as a magician, but when he retired at age 60, he switched to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims. Although often referred to as a "debunker", Randi rejects that title, describing himself as an "investigator".[4] He has written about the paranormal, skepticism, and the history of magic. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and is occasionally featured on the television program Penn & Teller: Bullshit!

Randi has a $1 000 000 USD prize for any person who can prove that they have paranormal abilities under scientific conditions agreeable to both parties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Randi

Since 2003, the JREF has annually hosted The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM), a gathering of scientists, skeptics, atheists. Perennial speakers include Christopher Hitchens, Penn & Teller, Phil Plait, Michael Shermer and Julia Sweeney.

Richard Dawkins and Joe Nickell appeared at the 2005 TAM 3.

TAM 4 in 2006 saw ACLU president Nadine Strossen, planetary scientist with the Voyager program Carolyn Porco, Mythbusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, The Skeptic's Dictionary author Robert Todd Carroll and Nobel laureate Murray Gell-Mann.

TAM 5, held January 18, 2007 – January 21, 2007, included regulars Michael Shermer, Penn & Teller, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Wiseman, MythBuster Adam Savage, and Phil Plait. Also presenting were Eugenie Scott, Peter Sagal, Neil Gershenfeld, Nick Gillespie, John Rennie, Lori Lipman Brown and Margaret Downey. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone also made an appearance.

The 2008 meeting was held at The Flamingo in Las Vegas from June 19 to 22. Speakers included Neil DeGrasse Tyson (the keynote speaker), PZ Myers and Richard Saunders, all of whom debuted at this TAM, and regulars such as Phil Plait, Penn & Teller and the cast of the The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast.

On February 2, 2009, JREF President Phil Plait announced that TAM 7 would take place from July 9 to 12 of that year. He also announced TAM London, the first ever TAM held outside the US, which will take place on October 3-4 of 2009.[41]

On July 12, 2009, Phil Plait announced that TAM 8 would take place from July 8 to 11 of 2010 at the Southpoint Casino.

Prices are £175 for 2 days and lunch.
All tickets are SOLD OUT.

However, if you wish to win a free ticket goto http://tamlondon.org/essay/
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"TAM London Essay Competition Guidelines and Rules
Objectives

The TAM London Essay Competition aims to promote critical thinking and reward excellence in writing from members of the skeptical community who are registered as students or unemployed.
Example Themes

Entrants can choose their own topic, but if you are stuck for ideas, here are some examples of essay themes:

The role of critical thinking in the 21st Century

Does pseudoscience harm society?

What skepticism means to me

Using new technology to spread ideas
Eligibility

The competition is open to students who are enrolled at a higher or further education facility, or are persons registered as unemployed, on or before the closing date. Proof of status and picture ID will be required from winners. Failure to provide proof of status will result in entry becoming void. Eligible persons may submit one essay only. Entrants must be aged 16 or above and may be resident of any country.
Language and word count

The essay must be submitted in English and should not exceed 1,500 words.
Closing Date

The closing date for submission is Friday August 14th 2009, 5pm BST.
Prize

A scholarship to TAM London 2009 will be awarded to the best essays. A total of three scholarships are available, which consist of entry to TAM London on 3rd and 4th October 2009 and the comedy event on the evening of Saturday 3rd October 2009. Accommodation and travel is NOT included and winners must make their own arrangements. Scholarships may only be used by the winner, and cannot be sold or traded to other persons. Any attempt to do so will result in the offer becoming void.
Submission

Essays should be submitted to info@tamlondon.org with the subject ‘TAM London Essay Competition’ in the header, by the closing date Friday August 14th 2009, 5pm BST. Entries must include the name, email address and a valid telephone number for the author. Only one entry allowed per person.
Judging

The judging may be subject to a preliminary shortlisting panel, depending on quantity of entries received. The final judging will be by the James Randi Educational Foundation. The decision of the judges is final and is not subject to an appeal. JREF reserves the right to withdraw or amend any prize offer at any time.
Notification

The winners will be contacted individually either by email or telephone no later than August 31st 2009. Winners must inform the organisers if they accept the scholarship within two weeks of notification.
Other terms and conditions

All essays remain the copyright of their authors. However, by entering this competition you agree that JREF or its agents may publish your essay, in whole or in part, fully credited to the copyright holder, without charge. JREF and its agents reserve the right to publish the essays in whole or in part in any publication, book or website or those of its partners, fully credited to the copyright holder, at any time. JREF reserves the right to withdraw or alter these guidelines and rules or any part of the prize at any time. Entering the competition does not guarantee eligibility to win.
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Cheers
E.M. Anon