Awesome! I’ve added both of you! There’s also a regular Friday night Hangout at 10 PM Eastern, if you’re interested. It’s usually referred to as the “Drunken” Hangout, but alcohol is, of course, optional!
See you later!
Welcome to Google+!
thank you now i just have to get use to using google +
[b]Weekly Geek Panel
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
10:00 PM Eastern
Topic: The People vs. George Lucas[/b]
This week’s discussion will revolve around the Star Wars franchise and its creator, George Lucas. The recent release of the films of Bluray was accompanied by yet another round of alterations to the films themselves.
Side-by-side shot comparisons between different versions the original trilogy: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102542760950977079734/StarWars2011Changes]
TheForce.Net’s complete list of alterations to the Complete Trilogy with links to video: [http://theforce.net/latestnews/story/Bluray_Some_More_Tinkering_With_The_Saga_140346.asp]
Apropos of our topic, the film The People vs. George Lucas was released on DVD today. [http://www.facebook.com/thepeoplevsgeorge] While I don’t expect everyone to watch it (I certainly haven’t) before our discussion, check out the trailer below to get a sense of the film:
So, do you think George Lucas is destroying his legacy (and raping your childhood in the process)? Or is it his right to do whatever he wants with the films, especially if he continues to be rewarded with dump trucks, dump trucks full of cash?
Join us for our Geek Panel discussion via Google+ Hangout. RSVP by replying to this post to join.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks to The Operator for the tip about the The People vs. George Lucas DVD release.
Alrighty. How do I join this thingy?
Went well now that I figured out my jury rigged set up ill be able to talk next week.
Weekly GWC Geek Panel
Google+ Hangout
Wednesday, November 2nd
10:00 PM Eastern
Topic: Vampires!
“Vampires!” by Ben Douglass
Print available at: http://society6.com/bendouglass/Vampires_Print
It’s a few days after Halloween and a few weeks before the (first part of the) final film installment of the Twilight series hits the big screen. What better time to discuss our favorite fictional blood-suckers, vampires! Whether you’re a Buffy buff or a true-blooded Bon Tempsian, I’m sure you’ve got a lot to say about these sexy, scary creatures of the night.
Grab some Count Chocula (or some garlic and a steak) and join us for our Weekly GWC Geek Panel on Google+ Hangout. But don’t worry, it won’t last from dusk 'till dawn. We’ll only have an hour to sink our teeth into this topic and explore the underworld of vampires.
Can I “Count” you in?
Remember, GWC Geek Panels are invite-only. To RSVP, reply to this post on Google+ before the Hangout starts. You will see the Hangout in your stream when it begins.
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the Geek Panels so far. Over the past three weeks, we’ve talked about zombie preparedness, George Lucas evilness, and sexy vampire hotness. Next week we’ll be talking about robot awesomeness.
I really like how the panels have been going so far. We’ve been having some great discussions despite minimal moderator effort on my part.
Does anyone have any questions about the Geek Panels or suggestions for improvements?
I love to get some feedback from those who have participated as well as answer any questions from those who haven’t tried one yet.
Also, I’d like to start a running list of topics that we can draw on for future panels. Here’s what we have so far:
Geek Panel Schedule:
Wednesday, 11/9/11 - Robots
Wednesday, 11/16/11 - Games and Sports in Sci-Fi and Fantasy with Expert/Quidditch World Cup Participant Aragorn’s Girl
Had a great time, thanks for putting this together!
Weekly GWC Geek Panel
Google+ Hangout
Wednesday, November 9th
10:00 PM Eastern
Topic: Siri, Skynet, and the Morality of AI
The release of Siri with Apple iOS 5 has rejuvenated our fascination with artificial intelligence. Billed as “the intelligent assistant,” Siri uses advanced natural language processing and network access to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform a wide range of actions from making dinner reservations to reminding you to call a loved one on their birthday. Siri is the result of 40 years of research funded by DARPA via SRI International’s Artificial Intelligence Center. Is one were to use science fiction as a guide, Siri sure sounds like beginning of artificial intelligence.
Is Siri the precursor to Skynet, the globally-networked AI that will one day destroy us all? Or is it just a cool toy, like the Furby of days gone by?
Either way, it’s a good springboard for a discussion of the implications of Artificial Intelligence in real life and in science-fiction story-telling. Some questions to consider:
- Has the emergence of true artificial intelligence now changed from an “if” to a “when”?
- What laws or rules should govern its development of AI?
- Is the emergence of AI a Good or Bad thing for humans?
Join us on Google+ Hangout for another Weekly GWC Geek Panel!
Remember, GWC Geek Panels are invite-only. To RSVP, reply to this post on Google+ before the Hangout starts. You will see the Hangout in your stream when it begins.
Ill be there
This is a automated response from a robot …beep
Weekly GWC Geek Panel
Google+ Hangout
Sunday, November 13th
10:00 PM Eastern
Topic: Games and Sports in Science Fiction and Fantasy
This weekend marks the fifth Quidditch World Cup [http://worldcupquidditch.com/] on Randall’s Island in New York City hosted by the International Quidditch Association [http://www.internationalquidditch.org/]. “Muggle Quidditch,” as the sport is known, is the “real life” version of the sport invented by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter book series.
Quidditch is only one example of a fictional game or sport that made the jump to real life. Other examples include:
[ul]
[li]Tri-Dimensional Chess from Star Trek: [http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Tri-Dimensional-Chess-Franklin/dp/B0018S4WM0]
[/li][li]Rock-paper-scissors-lizards-Spock from The Big Bang Theory: [http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/generic/b597/]
[/li][li]Mystic Warlords of Ka’ah, also from The Big Bang Theory, now a collectible card game on Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/mysticwarlords] [/ul]
[/li]
There are many more fictional games from all over sci-fi and fantasy: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_games]
What are your favorite fictional games? Which games would you want to play in real life?
Join us on Google+ Hangout for another Weekly GWC Geek Panel!
Due the late posting of this announcement, this Geek Panel will be open to all!
We need a topic for Sunday’s Geek Panel! Post suggestions here or on Google+!
Frakkintalos’ prequel re-writes. J/K No, I’m not.
How 'bout the Shatner Documentary ‘The Captains’? It’s on Netflix Instant Watch.
Or the Captain’s Summit hosted by Whoopi Goldberg? Since you can view it free on Youtube.
The discussion could revolve around Hero Worship or Cult of Personality.
I love this. I haven’t watched it yet but I can by Sunday.
I’m in favor of it. What does everyone else think.
And Talos, when am I going to see you on a Hangout?
Weekly GWC Geek Panel
Google+ Hangout
Sunday, November 20th
10:00 PM Eastern
Topic: The Captains of Star Trek
William Shatner’s new documentary, The Captains, was recently released on home video.
From IMDB:
The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors whom have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.
For this week’s Geek Panel, we’ll be talking about the captains of Star Trek: our favorites, who we’d want to be, who we’d want to serve under, who we’d take down in a mutiny, and we’ll also discuss the actors and actresses who played them.
If you have the means, I highly recommend watching The Captains and/or taking a look at the Captain’s Summit interviews hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, which was included with the recent release of the movies on BluRay.
Shatner’s The Captains is available on DVD and Netflix Instant Watch, and the Captain’s Summit is on YouTube.
You can also watch the Captains San Diego Comic Con panel - moderated by Kevin Smith - at Trailer Addict.
Of course, all you really need to participate in the discussion is your knowledge of Star Trek. With Star Trek, opinions are like bumpy foreheads - almost everyone’s got one!
Join us on Google+ Hangout for another Weekly GWC Geek Panel!
Oh nuts! I didn’t realize these weren’t on Wednesdays anymore. And here I am, all dressed up with nowhere to go…
Catch y’all around, might not be able to make it to Sundays quite as often, but I’ll try.
Unfortunately, no one night of the week is going to be perfect for everyone. Luckily, we have a new a topic each week, so you can “pick-and-choose” which panels you want to make a point of “attending.” I’m working on a long-term schedule of upcoming panels.
Gotta see about being on this. Saw the listing in netflix. Have to check that out to.
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