NEWS: DeepSouthCon 50 - Report

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Some of my friends and readers will have already gotten a taste of the fun and frivolity that was DeepSouthCon #50 held this past weekend in Huntsville, AL.  DeepSouthCon, or DSC, is a Science Fiction convention that is normally held in conjunction with regular annual convention - thus "Stellarcon", held in Greensboro/High Point in March each year can bid (and win) the right to be "DSC' for that year.  For the fiftieth DSC, a group of southern fans (boosted by Baen Books publisher Toni Weisskopf - herself quite active in southern fandom for years before joining Baen) decided to bid for an independent one-time convention to be held in Huntsville, site of the very first DSC 49 years ago.  When I contacteed the convention organizers about participating on panels at DSC, I was surprised and pleased to receive a reply from Toni Weisskopf, who promptly set up a schedule for me and later conspired with me regarding video recordings and eventual publication of panel videos.

I moderated one panel and sat on two others.  It was a tough job, but well worth it to moderate the likes of webcartoonist and SF author Howard Tayler, scientist and author Stephanie Osborn, and "Rocket City Redneck" physicist and author Travis S. Taylor. The panel was "First Contact: Design and Create Aliens."  After brief introductions, I seeded this brew with the idea that they would design a sentient alien species on the spot, then create a rationale and setting for first contact with humans.  Hilarity ensued; if you hear or read about "The Great Sushi Conspiracy" or "Don't Ink and Drive" you know they're talking about our panel - but I'm going to be cruel and not tell you any more - until I get the video edited and posted sometime next week!

I was a participant on two other panels with Travis Taylor - "Stump the Scientists" and "Bio- and Other Ethics in SF" - the latter including the writer Guest of Honor Lois McMaster Bujold.  One of the most memorable panel moments came from the bioethics panel in which an audience member asked the ethical question: "What are our responsibilities when a patient's neuroprosthetic implant becomes obsolete?"  [I had an opportunity to pass that concern along a few days later to a bioethicist working on precisely those questions in the field of neuroprosthetics.]  I was honored to be included among such a high-profile suite of authors and artists, and had a chance to talk a bit about some of the topics covered here in The Lab Rats' Guide to the Brain.

Sitting around in the atrium of the Huntsville Embassy Suites provided the opportunity to interact with fans, scientists, artists, writers and editors/publishers alike.  I was especially impressed with the fact that Artist Guest of Honor Howard Tayler worked on future panels of his long-running webcomic Schlock Mercenary right there in the atrium while continuing to chat with friends and fans - the insight into the process of creating the comic was invaluable, and shows just what a true professional he is.  [Addendum:  One thing that was brought home - artists' hands are their livelihood - and a gentle fist-bump was MUCH more appreciated than an attempt at a handshake.  Since Howard and I were both wearing wrist braces, it became pretty common practice.]  Spending time talking with Howard and his lovely wife Sandra was one of the highlights of the con for me.

There were so many good panels, including writers John Ringo, David Weber, David Drake, scientists Lance Larka, Les Johnson, Felecia McDuffie, artist John Picacio and musical GoH Dr. Demento.  In all, I think I have about 8 hours of video and will work at getting some of it edited and posted as soon as I can.  A big shout-out to the folks at Baen Books, and we will definitely reprise the Scotch-tasting at future conventions.

DSC was a science and hard-SF oriented con.  It was not a gathering of Twilight fans or "Trekkies" but of people who enjoy good SF, and that's what DeepSouthCon has always been about.  To anyone that's ever thought of attending a SF con for the opportunity to meet authors and artists, but is afraid to be ridiculed as  Trekkie, look for the future DSCs and drop by.  We don't bite... and we certainly don't sparkle!