This is a reminder to anyone and everyone who might want to attend, that on the weekend of 15 to 17 August, the Center for Fortean Zoology will be holding its annual Weird Weekend conference in the village of Woolfardisworthy, Devon, England.For those who want to attend, here's the WW website link where you'll find everything you'll need about the lectures, the speakers, the timetable, accommodation in the area and much more.
Having spoken at 4 of the last 8 WW's, I can tell you that it's an excellent event, with a wide and varied array of speakers on a whole range of topics. You'll get to hear much on cryptozoology and strange creatures, and just about anything and everything of a Fortean nature.
Speakers at this year's event include Dr. Karl Shuker, Richard Freeman, Matthew Williams, Ronan Coghlan, Dr. Gail-Nina Anderson, Mike Hallowell, Chris Moiser, Tim Matthews, Paul Vella, Lee Walker, Geoff Ward, Matt Salusbury, Dr. Mike Dash, Oll Lewis and Michael Woodley.
In between now and the conference, I'll be highlighting each day (in CFZ Director Jon Downes' own words) the work of one of the speakers, starting with Dr. Mike Dash.
Over to Jon...
"Mike Dash (b. 1963) is a Welsh writer, journalist and researcher. Born in London, he attended the University of Cambridge and King's College London, and holds a PhD in naval history for the thesis British Submarine Policy 1853–1918.
"Dash worked for 20 years as contributing editor and publisher of the journal Fortean Times. He is regarded as one of the most serious modern investigators into such phenomena, preferring the use of first hand sources and other historically accurate information.
"His works investigate misconceptions and errors in the field of strange phenomena, typically finding a middle path between 'believers' (who, in Dash's view, often accept extraordinary or unusual claims without investigation or on scant evidence) and skeptics and debunkers (who, in Dash's view, often overlook interesting or valuable evidence in their seeming desire to disprove alleged paranormal or anomalous phenomena).
"In Borderlands (1997), Dash repeatedly notes that researchers of unusual phenomena must always be wary of potential hoaxes; time and again people have perpetrated elaborate pranks or hoaxes with little motive other than to fool others.
"Dash has published six books, and a number of articles and papers in Fortean Times and later spin-off titles such as the academic annual Fortean Studies, published from 1994 through 2000."
Wish I was there, Nick.
ReplyDeleteI would especially like to hear Dash. I just finished reading about him in the latest Fortean Times regarding Spring-Heeled Jack (one of my favorite what-the-hecks). He's THE expert on it (or THEM). Sounded like a even-handed individual about it in the article. Gotta check his articles/books about Ol' Springer one day.
By the way, I liked YOUR article in the issue, too. And as a coincidence, I also read your mini-essay in Marie D. Jones's 2013 book. Your was one of my favorites. Short and to the point. The book was great, too.
You're all over the place, buddy. Care to share with your loyal readership where you got yourself cloned? I got a little bit of cash left on my "piggy bank". Maybe I can make a deal with the powers-that-be???
:) :) :) :) :)
C:
ReplyDeleteYeah, Spring-Heeled Jack is a fascinating subject. Cheers for the words re the essay in Marie's book.
Which article of mine was it in Fortean Times? I get the mag, but sometimes a month or so behind.
Was it the "Retro UFO" conference review or another one?
Nah, no clone - I just don't sleep much! LOL.
I think it was that one, Nick. I read it at Borders---had nothing better to do that day. LOL.
ReplyDeleteIt was on the same issue as the article about Ol'-Springer. It had to do with a recently discovered batch of newspaper articles dating around (I think) 1890 describing activity in a middle-class area of London relating to Ole Springer. Dash had not known abou them and was excited to read through them. That is all remember.
Yeah, I don't sleep much, either.
The drugs have long ago ceased "kicking in" for me. LOL.