Culture & World Affairs
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Teaching a Robot to Be Kind: The Ethics of Autonomous Systems in Fiction and IRL
Autonomous systems are great at hard-coded inputs and pretty good at keeping the show on the road without a lot of oversight. As these systems begin to manage whole aspects of our society, how do we teach them to be ethical, despite our own less-than-perfect nature?
Moderator: Mel White
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Loretta McKibben, Mel White, Pigeon, Tim Frayser, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Science Fiction, STEM, Internet Life
4:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage
Everyday Life and Language Customs in Today's Japan
Join the JASO representative Aya Iwamoto for this compelling conversation about what life is really like in Japan from day to day. The オクラホマ日米協会 "Japan America Society of Oklahoma," is a non-profit organization created in 1975 to promote cultural, educational, and social relationships between Japan, the United States in the state of Oklahoma.
Moderator: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Panelists: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs
10:00 AM | Location: Oklahoma HIJ presented by Robot House
Traditional Irish Dancing Performance
Step dancing, jig dance, céilí dance, and more! Enjoy a range of Irish dance exhibitions from McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma in this main stage performance.
Moderator: McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma
Panelists: McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma
Tracks: Performing Arts, Culture & World Affairs
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
Yin/Yang, Good/Bad, Light/Dark
It has been said that there could be no good without evil. But which is which? Are they two sides of a coin, never to meet, or are there degrees of each? What of the concept of a “necessary evil”?
Moderator: Julia S. Mandala
Panelists: A C Smart, Chaz Kemp, Julia S. Mandala, Laura J. Underwood, THE james k burk, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing, Art
11:00 AM | Location: Sooner B presented by Fowler Automotive
Kids Irish Dancing Demo
In this interactive session, kids learn the basics of Irish dancing with the McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma.
Moderator: McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma
Panelists: McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma
Tracks: Performing Arts, Culture & World Affairs
11:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Salon Philosophique
Open sci-fi oriented philosophy public discussions. All are welcome. (1 hour)
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Meetup
11:15 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
The Way of Tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Presented by Oklahoma Chado, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Learn from hostess Kyuragi Sensei about "the way of tea" by experiencing this historic and artful cultural tradition. (30 minutes. Limit 20 participants. $20 fee.)
Moderator: Oklahoma Chado
Panelists: Oklahoma Chado
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Workshop
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: Bedlam 1 Boardroom
Women's Daily Life in Japan
What does modern-day life look like for women in Japan? The Japan America Society of Oklahoma's Aya Iwamoto shares about her experiences and invites you to learn more about today's Japan from the female perspective.
Moderator: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Panelists: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs
12:15 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
The Way of Tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Presented by Oklahoma Chado, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Learn from hostess Kyuragi Sensei about "the way of tea" by experiencing this historic and artful cultural tradition. (30 minutes. Limit 20 participants. $20 fee.)
Moderator: Oklahoma Chado
Panelists: Oklahoma Chado
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Workshop
1:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage
Egyptology: Akhenaten and Nefertiti
Hear the REAL story behind two of the most fascinating people in the ancient world, Akhenaten and the beautiful Nefertiti, and how they influenced the world!
Moderator: Mel White
Panelists: Mel White
Tracks: History, Culture & World Affairs
2:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
The Ideas Missing Without Women
A recent Ford SUV commercial highlights the best SUV made for men ever -- minus the components designed by women. Turns out, it wasn't as good as it could be. Science fiction has long included the female perspective to challenge normative ideas about "the way things are." How do we translate this to everyday life?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Elizabeth Leggett, Kathleen M. O'Brien, Loretta McKibben, Rhonda Eudaly, Sally Hamilton, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Culture & World Affairs
2:15 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
The Way of Tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Presented by Oklahoma Chado, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Learn from hostess Kyuragi Sensei about "the way of tea" by experiencing this historic and artful cultural tradition. (30 minutes. Limit 20 participants. $20 fee.)
Moderator: Oklahoma Chado
Panelists: Oklahoma Chado
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Workshop
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Coming Back from Burnout
Current events have left many of us feeling exhausted and saddened. When this oppression is added to feelings of insecurity or grief, creativity seems a boulder too big to push. We discuss ways to come back from challenging life events and reigniting creativity.
Moderator: Chaotic Neutral Cosplay
Panelists: Chaotic Neutral Cosplay, Dennis Spielman, Liz Campbell, Mica Membrane, Ms Fae Mullens, Tall Chick Cosplay
Tracks: Health & Wellness, Culture & World Affairs, General Interest
3:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
The Way of Tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Presented by Oklahoma Chado, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Learn from hostess Kyuragi Sensei about "the way of tea" by experiencing this historic and artful cultural tradition. (30 minutes. Limit 20 participants. $20 fee.)
Moderator: Oklahoma Chado
Panelists: Oklahoma Chado
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Workshop
3:45 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
The Way of Tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Presented by Oklahoma Chado, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Learn from hostess Kyuragi Sensei about "the way of tea" by experiencing this historic and artful cultural tradition. (30 minutes. Limit 20 participants. $20 fee.)
Moderator: Oklahoma Chado
Panelists: Oklahoma Chado
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Workshop
4:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Salon Philosophique
Open sci-fi oriented philosophy public discussions. All are welcome. (1 hour)
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Meetup
4:00 PM | Location: University C
Taiko Drumming with Kanpai
Enjoy this traditional Japanese taiko drumming performance led by Kanpai!
Moderator: Kanpai Japanese Taiko Drum Team
Panelists: Kanpai Japanese Taiko Drum Team
Tracks: Performing Arts, Culture & World Affairs
5:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
2023: Welcome to the Singularity. Sorta.
We've talked for a long time about how AI would someday reach “the Singularity.” With things like the recent deployment of ChatGPT, is that day today? Whether this is a positive development or a negative one remains unknown. As a society, what's our role in steering this technology towards a positive direction rather than one that destroys our perception of facts, critical thinking, and language composition? Are things that desperate?
Moderator: Daniel Erickson
Panelists: Brian A. Hopkins, Daniel Erickson, Loretta McKibben, THE james k burk, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, STEM, Culture & World Affairs, General Interest
10:00 AM | Location: Sooner A
OGL Smashdown: Leaders vs. Creatives
With the recent changes to the D&D Open Gaming License (OGL), some see a growing disconnect between corporate leadership and content creatives. Why? How does it affect fandom, and what can be done to remedy it? Let’s figure out how to protect our fandoms from the steady march toward profit over creativity.
Moderator: Pigeon
Panelists: Ash King, Chaz Kemp, Jacob Blackmon, Pigeon
Tracks: Gaming, Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Business & Marketing
10:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Bedlam 2 Boardroom
Japanese Calligraphy and Meditation
Shodō, which translates to "the way of writing," is much more than putting ink on paper. Shodō is also about the artist's spirit, emotion, discipline, and sophistication. Discover the meditative aspect of this art form and watch as a skilled calligrapher gracefully wields their brush to transform strokes into profound expressions of beauty and balance.
Moderator: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Panelists: Aya Iwamoto, Japan America Society of Oklahoma
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Art, Workshop
10:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Salon Philosophique
Open sci-fi oriented philosophy public discussions. All are welcome. (1 hour)
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Meetup
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
11:00 AM | Location: Oklahoma G
Gatekeeping in Cosplay and Breaking Down Stereotypes
A panel addressing diversity and inclusion in the cosplay community, led by Christina Dark Cosplay.
Moderator: Christina Dark Cosplay
Panelists: Christina Dark Cosplay, Lollalotus, Magician Michael Corley, Stellae Cosplay
Tracks: Cosplay, Costuming & Fashion, Culture & World Affairs
Noon | Location: Sooner A
The Antidote to Toxic Fandom
Toxic fandom hasn't gone away. In fact, it seems to be getting worse, even seeing death threats if fans aren't fed what they want, when they want, the way they want. What can be done about this problem, and what is your personal role in the solution?
Moderator: Aaron Bossig
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Chaotic Neutral Cosplay, John Eads/Jim Shorts, Mark Finn, Rook Riley
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Culture & World Affairs, Internet Life
Noon | Location: Boomer B
Digital Art, the Future, and the Artist
The digital art industry has changed a lot recently with the advent of AI technology and other software tool innovations. It’s not just a push-button way to make art. What is the future of art in its digital form? How will it impact artists in traditional media? After all, with new technologies come new methods of creative manipulation and evolving aesthetics ...
Moderator: Eric Osborn
Panelists: Chaz Kemp, Eric Osborn, James Farr, Peri Charlifu, Rachael Mayo, Tim Chessmore
Tracks: Art, Business & Marketing, Comics, Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment
1:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Media Literacy in the Classroom: A How-to for a Have-to
Misleading media surrounds us—misinformation, conspiracy, satire, you name it. Yet the essential modern skill of media literacy isn’t taught in school. Why? What will it take to get educational institutions to adopt it, and what will that curriculum look like?
Moderator: Brook Bullock
Panelists: Brook Bullock, Kendall Watson, MLIS - Branch Manager, Newcastle Public Library, M. Scott Carter, Okie Space Queen, Pigeon, Shai Fenwick
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment
2:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Who Decides High Culture?
Jim Grealy: “Popular culture is the culture of a subordinate class.” Do you agree? What pop culture trends have achieved recognition by the cognoscenti (think Andy Warhol)? Is it only a matter of time before a work or artist can ascend to Art? Don't forget college classes on Trek or pulp detectives. Turns out, pop culture creation and collecting is BIG MONEY nowadays and it's still the art of the people.
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Kevin Dilmore, Mark Alfred, Red Bard
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Culture & World Affairs, Art, Writing & Publishing
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
The Future of Identity in SF
SF has always been an outlet for exploring identity. Why does this matter now, more than ever? In worlds where infinite diversity in infinite combinations are always possible, spec fic creators use the genre for wider storytelling. This can bring diverse narratives into the mainstream. What's next?
Moderator: Pigeon
Panelists: A C Smart, Daniel Erickson, Pigeon, Selina Rosen, Tim Frayser
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy