PHILCON 2012 SCHEDULE

*excited bouncing up and down*

Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
TRICKSTERS, ROGUES AND LOVABLE SCOUNDRELS (1158)

[Panelists: April Grey (mod), Stephanie Burke, Shelby Morgen, KT
Pinto, Bernie Mojzes]

An exploration of this archetype in science fiction and fantasy.
Think of Harry Harrision's "The Stainless Steel Rat", Neal
Stephenson's "Hiro Protagonist", Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds, and
others


Fri 11:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE FALLACY OF A GEEK HIERARCHY (1098)

[Panelists: Jay Smith (mod), Samuel Conway, KT Pinto, Thomas
Willeford, Robert C Roman]

There are people who seem to think that there are "True Geeks", and
then there are "Posers". For example, some fans of literary SF
think seem to think that fans of certain SF shows or movies aren't
REALLY SF fans. Or attendees of comic cons may look at young female
cosplayers as not being "real fans". But IS there a "real fan"?
And who gets to decide


Fri 11:59 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
"GHOST HUNTING" - SCIENCE OR CHICANERY? (1219)

[Panelists: Carl Fink (mod), David E. Christman, Anthony Selletti,
David Silverman, KT Pinto, Richard Stout]

Is modern "ghost hunting"... the kind we see on TV shows on cable...
nothing more than the trappings of scientific procedure draped over
the old-fashioned 19th century "seance"? Or is there real science
behind what we're seeing


Sat 11:00 AM in Autograph Table (1 hour)
AUTOGRAPH SESSION 11:00 - 12:00 (1274)

[Panelists: Stephanie Burke (mod), KT Pinto]

Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE REINVENTION OF THE VAMPIRE (1185)

[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Brent Monahan, Tony Ruggiero, Michael A.
Ventrella]

What can be done in the post-Twilight era? Do we look forward to a
time when vampires no longer sparkle? What new approaches can be
taken with a monster that has haunted our imagination since the
beginning of history


Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
WOMEN IN FANTASY (1154)

[Panelists: Oz Drummond (mod), Barbara Barnett, D.L. Carter, KT
Pinto, A.C. Wise]

Regardless of the historical period that they are borrowing from,
female protagonists
in fantasy are typically strong and feminist and having mindsets
that would be at home from the 1970s on. Is this required for modern
readers, and is this becoming a cliche?


Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
WHY ALL THIS DOOM AND GLOOM? (1116)

[Panelists: Dina Leacock (mod), Mitchell Gordon, KT Pinto, Tony
Ruggiero, Peter Prellwitz]

Today, science fiction seems to be increasingly pessimistic. Why is
this? Will the readership stand for it? Will too much pessimism lose
science fiction its audience


Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
DO YOU WANT TO DATE MY AVATAR? (1026)

[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Timothy Binder, Jo Blu Pax, Sally-Rouge
Pax]

Online anonymity allows people to speak and act freely with minimal
repercussions on their every-day lives, but the same protections
that benefit you also benefit scammers and potential predators. A
discussion of identity politics, presenting yourself authentically,
and how much of your Real World self is appropriate (and safe) to
display on internet social sites


Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
MAKING IT WITH VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
(1177)

[Panelists: Victoria Janssen (mod), D.L. Carter, April Grey, KT
Pinto]

It seems like there are a lot of paranormal romances out there, in
which the main character carries on a physical relationship with
some sort of "monster". What is the psychological(and physical)
appeal of this


Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four) (1 hour)
KILLING HITLER FOR FUN AND PROFIT (1153)

[Panelists: Andre Lieven (mod), KT Pinto, Michael F. Flynn, Alex
Shvartsman, Glenn Hauman]

How have various authors treated the idea of trying to change the
past? CAN you change the past, and if so, what are the consequences