Will I see you at CONvergence 2024?
The poster for “CONvergence 2023: All Dressed Up…” - https://www.convergence-con.org/
CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited is just around the corner, and I am very much looking forward to it. It will be great to see friends and acquaintances, go to panels and learn/experience things, be on panels and share my knowledge, and all the fun things one can do at a convention!
Like last year, I will be unable to afford to spend each night at the hotel; I now have a vehicle, but parking Downtown is incredibly expensive. I will be taking Metro Transit as much as I possibly can, though I will have to take a Lyft on occasion - my chronic pain has gotten worse, and walking extended distances is incredibly painful and difficult right now. If you are willing to help me offset the cost of the Lyft rides and save myself from some physical pain, I would be most appreciative. Donation links will be at the end of the post.
I hope to see you there! I put a form at the end of this post; please let me know if you are coming. Even if you don’t fill it out, please come by and say hi and bump elbows - and be sure to wear your mask! Here is my panel and schedule:
Thursday, July 4
Eugenics in Science Fiction: 7:00pm - 8:00pm, Hyatt 1 Lakeshore A
Science fiction has long grappled with the concepts of human "advancement" and "perfection" in genetic terms. Let's talk about what authors have done well and where they've perpetuated oppressive tropes and misunderstanding of how genetics work.
Participants: Wes Huntington (mod), Mara DeMers, Justin Edward Grays, Lathan Murrell, Lee Brontide
Friday, July 5
Dating "Different": 12:30pm - 1:30pm, Hyatt 2 Greenway BCDE
We all find ourselves in "different" relationships, whether they be queer, bi-racial, or neurodiverse. How do we handle these differences when it comes to loving one another or the opinions of others around us
Participants: Kiki Joy Latham, Heather Lynn Heim, Viga, Justin Edward Grays, Stephanie Dreis (mod)
DS9: Past Tense - A Generation Later: 8:30pm - 9:30pm, Hyatt 2 Greenway BCDE
2024 is the year of the Bell riots. It's been a generation since that two-part episode aired. How are its themes relevant to events of today?
Participants: Brittany Ann Kerschner, T. Aaron Cisco (mod), William J Leisner, Cory Damone Enriquez, Justin Edward Grays
Star Wars Has a Problem with Slavery: 11:30pm - 12:30am, Hyatt 1 Lakeshore A
From Hutt space to clone armies to droid liberation, an exploration of the systems of slavery endemic in the Star Wars universe. Examining the significance of slavery in the Star Wars universe and how it's addressed in a narrative and metatextual context.
Participants: Boris Smelov (mod), Jeff R Grapevine, Diane Perry, Katherine Maher, Justin Edward Grays
Saturday, July 6
Year in New Trek: 9:30am - 10:30am, Hyatt 2 Greenway BCDE
Several series are running concurrently. Engage in a discussion about Discovery, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds. What are we hoping for in Starfleet Academy?
Participants: Wes Huntington, Scott Saunders, Assad Khaishgi (mod), Justin Edward Grays, Staci Corcoran
Do you have questions that you’d like me to try to bring up on panels? Do you have any thoughts or comments on the upcoming panels? Please let me know, and I’ll do my best to discuss it during the panel as long as it is relevant.
I hope to see you there!
With special thanks to my Convention Sender Tier members Dee and Corwin Brust. I couldn't do this without your love and support. Thank you.
If you can, please help me continue to get out to conventions and attend panels. Writing about each panel takes a lot of work, ranging from extensive note-taking and transcribing, to understanding the content of the panel, to analyzing the information, and there is maintaining this website and creating the content for ease of access. As little as $1/month will help me get into a position where I can prepare and create quality content for everyone. To this end, I am on both Patreon and Ko-fi, membership platform services designed to help facilitate the relationships between patrons and creators.
I know that it's not always possible to sponsor someone on a monthly basis. If you would help me with a one time donation, please feel free to use PayPal, CashApp, or Vemno. Producing content takes time and effort, and any support would be most appreciated. Your donations help me cover expenses and eventually will let me be able to create quality content full-time.