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Ted Pennella

Ted is an Oklahoma City based architect, writer, gamer, and pithy observer of the human condition. As an architect, he's keenly aware of layout, design, and spatial relations, which also benefits him as a storyteller. With short stories published in various anthologies, Ted fills his copious free time filled with woodworking, friends, family, and endeavoring to create the perfect cheesecake.

1:00 PM | Location: Boomer A

Game Show: Real or Alternative History?

Contestants decide if certain "facts" are alternate history or really happened. Audience participation encouraged!

Moderator: John Eads/Jim Shorts

Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, David Carrico, Jeff Provine, John Eads/Jim Shorts, Mark Alfred, Ted Pennella, vickey malone kennedy

Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, History, General Interest

4:00 PM | Location: Sooner A

Oops! The Plight of the Evil Genius

“I have created a monster!” Why can’t mad scientists ever figure out that maybe creating an omnipotent computer, or a creature with the strength of ten men, ain't such a great idea (good intentions or not)? What would sf be without the this classic character's hubris?

Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly

Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, Allison Stein, John Scalzi, Pigeon, Rhonda Eudaly, Ted Pennella

Tracks: Film & TV, Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy

1:00 PM | Location: Sooner A

Reading Is Power

Tom Disch (Soonercon 1 guest): “Blessed are those who read, for they shall inherit the future.” Discuss literacy’s threat to totalitarianism, and the promise of an informed society. What's so threatening about free thinking? Seems like books are always the first to go ...

Moderator: Shai Fenwick

Panelists: Cheyanne Weller - Library Associate, Moore Public Library, Jan S. Gephardt, Matthew Price, Melinda LaFevers, Shai Fenwick, Ted Pennella

Tracks: Writing & Publishing, History, Pop Culture & Entertainment

5:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage

Author Readings

Authors read selections from their various works.

Moderator: Ted Pennella

Panelists: Karen Thrower, Selina Rosen, Ted Pennella, Tommy B. Smith

Tracks: Writing & Publishing

11:00 AM | Location: Sooner A

We Go Because We Must

Panelists discuss the varied reasons for traveling into unexplored places, whether space or (in history) on Earth. Often this is for the sheer joy of discovery and wonder. And plenty of times, it's been for profit. In either case, our knowledge is advanced. How might these explorer's motives partner to create the next age of discovery for our modern time?

Moderator: Tim Frayser

Panelists: Loretta McKibben, Okie Space Queen, Selina Rosen, Ted Pennella, Tim Frayser

Tracks: History, Culture & World Affairs

1:00 PM | Location: Boomer B

Immortality or the Singularity

Would you rather have the option to be immortal in your corporeal form, or upload your consciousness to a digital format that could evolve otherwise? How is this question addressed in speculative fiction and reflected in real world research and cultural considerations?

Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt

Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, Rhonda Eudaly, Selina Rosen, Ted Pennella, William Ledbetter

Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, General Interest