The party consisted of food, drinks, cake, chatter, wonderful special guests, and awards. Some of the guests included well-known heavyweights like Michael Shermer and Brian Dunning, as well as friend/colleague/lord Brian Dalton (Mr. Deity), and esteemed experts such as Carol Tavris, Harriet Hall and Eugenie Scott. This list were all presented with awards from the IIG for their achievements in promoting science, skepticism, and critical thinking.
Also awarded that evening for their achievements and assistance within the IIG were fellow members Wendy Hughes, Dave Richards, and Ross Blocher. Wendy and Dave each have brought to the IIG some of its biggest and most valuable investigations throughout its history, and Ross has pulled excessive all-nighters in redesigning the group's web site, designing brochures and business cards, and more.
Also awarded were staff from the productions of Eureka and The Mentalist. While both could be said to play a little loose with factual science (especially the former), BOTH shows promote science and critical thinking heavily as forces for good, progress, and solving problems. They cast these topics in a positive light and help the viewers see just what we can accomplish when we focus on these topics. These two shows received the IIG's special new SurlyRamics trophy designed by Amy Roth of Skepchick, which was truly beautiful and unique to our group.
The ceremony went smoothly and kept the attention of the crowd of over 100 people, many of whom were visiting the CFI or an IIG event for the first time, and all of whom seemed to leave with an extremely positive impression of our group and what we can achieve with little more than dedication and volunteer efforts.
I think it's clear that after this weekend the IIG can expect to continue to steadily climb in its influence on critical thinking and skepticism. We're branching out with affiliates across the country, and our own group has major efforts underway including our in-depth Power Balance investigation plans, The Odds Must Be Crazy web site, further efforts into the California Board of Registered Nurses reform, and much more that we're not yet ready to talk about.
TAM8 left me with a lot of pride for the IIG's place in the grand scheme and the respect we garnered from the community, but Saturday's ceremony cemented it. Our impact cannot be questioned, and our support and success are all but assured if we keep up this pace.
Thanks to anyone who showed up to the event, as well as those who watched live on Ustream, where the event can still be viewed. Your interest and enthusiasm meant the world to us.
Here's to another great year!
NOTE: This was written via the WordPress app on my Android phone. As such it's tricky to verify spelling and create appropriate links right now. When I have time to edit from a computer I'll review it and correct these issues.
EDIT: I've now gone ahead and made my adjustments including links and spelling verifications. Should be in better shape now.
http://www.skeptic.com/
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