FREE MINDS 09, the past, present, and future of Objectivism


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I didn't know where to put this announcement I received as a forwarded email last night, but for starters, the Living Room ought to work. :) Anyone know whether this is the reason TAS is not running a Summer Seminar this year, or whether instead this sprang up to fill the gap they left?.....reb

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From: freeminds09@aol.com [mailto:freeminds09@aol.com]

Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:53 PM

To: ecosfia11@gmail.com

Subject: July 2009: A Historic Objectivist Summer Conference

July 2009: A Historic Objectivist Summer Conference

Mark your calendar for an Objectivist blowout Summer Conference.

(Please share with others who might be interested. And please reply

with "remove" in the subject line if you prefer not to be on this list.)

FREE MINDS '09:

The past, present, future of Objectivism

Presentation proposals are still welcome.

See www.FreeMinds09.org

June 30-July 8, 2009 at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Nathaniel Branden, Tibor Machan, Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal,

David Boaz of Cato, Marsha Enright, Doug Den Uyl, Doug Rasmussen,

Mimi Gladstein, David Kelley and Ed Hudgins of the Atlas Society (tbc),

Robert L. Campbell, Editor, New Ideas in Psychology, and dozens of other

world-class experts will examine the role of reason-based and pro-freedom

philosophy in:

Education

History

Ethics

Law

Arts

Politics

Economics

Psychology

Science and Technology

Innovation and Invention

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Join us to hear, meet, and discuss all these realms

with leading thinkers and innovators of our time.

Invited organizations also include the Reason Foundation,

Wikipedia, the Institute for Humane Studies, the Independent

Institute, the X Prize Foundation, plus participants from leading

universities, student clubs, and independent Objectivist, humanist,

and libertarian groups.

CONFERENCE THEME

Throughout history, there have been a few isolated periods

notable for their cultures of freedom and reason. These

periods have produced the greatest thinking, the greatest

wealth, and the greatest science, art, and advancements

in justice and human well being.

This fact is fully documented but its importance is rarely

noted or appreciated. In reality, it is the most important

topic of all time. If we want humanity to thrive, the conditions

of freedom and respect for reason that allow thriving must

be understood, nurtured, and expanded.

The most influential pro reason, pro freedom intellectual

movement in the world is Objectivism. This conference

will explore its achievements, opportunities for its growth,

and its potential for the future of humankind.

It comes together at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas,

June 30-July 8, 2009. Low fees, very low tuition for students

(plus scholarship options). It will be a life changing event and

the intellectual adventure of a lifetime.

More details including schedules and enrollment form will

be posted by mid-February at www.FreeMinds09.org.

Also, if you'd like to participate as a speaker, please see the

Call for Presentations at the Web page, www.FreeMinds09.org

Meanwhile please E-mail us if you have any questions:

FreeMinds09@Gmail.com.

Fred Stitt, Director

Kate Herrick, Conference Coordinator

The Free Minds Foundation

www.FreeMinds09.org

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I didn't know where to put this announcement I received as a forwarded email last night, but for starters, the Living Room ought to work. :) Anyone know whether this is the reason TAS is not running a Summer Seminar this year, or whether instead this sprang up to fill the gap they left?.....reb

===================================================================

From: freeminds09@aol.com [mailto:freeminds09@aol.com]

Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:53 PM

To: ecosfia11@gmail.com

Subject: July 2009: A Historic Objectivist Summer Conference

July 2009: A Historic Objectivist Summer Conference

Mark your calendar for an Objectivist blowout Summer Conference.

(Please share with others who might be interested. And please reply

with "remove" in the subject line if you prefer not to be on this list.)

FREE MINDS '09:

The past, present, future of Objectivism

Presentation proposals are still welcome.

See www.FreeMinds09.org

June 30-July 8, 2009 at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Nathaniel Branden, Tibor Machan, Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal,

David Boaz of Cato, Marsha Enright, Doug Den Uyl, Doug Rasmussen,

Mimi Gladstein, David Kelley and Ed Hudgins of the Atlas Society (tbc),

Robert L. Campbell, Editor, New Ideas in Psychology, and dozens of other

world-class experts will examine the role of reason-based and pro-freedom

philosophy in:

Education

History

Ethics

Law

Arts

Politics

Economics

Psychology

Science and Technology

Innovation and Invention

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Join us to hear, meet, and discuss all these realms

with leading thinkers and innovators of our time.

Invited organizations also include the Reason Foundation,

Wikipedia, the Institute for Humane Studies, the Independent

Institute, the X Prize Foundation, plus participants from leading

universities, student clubs, and independent Objectivist, humanist,

and libertarian groups.

CONFERENCE THEME

Throughout history, there have been a few isolated periods

notable for their cultures of freedom and reason. These

periods have produced the greatest thinking, the greatest

wealth, and the greatest science, art, and advancements

in justice and human well being.

This fact is fully documented but its importance is rarely

noted or appreciated. In reality, it is the most important

topic of all time. If we want humanity to thrive, the conditions

of freedom and respect for reason that allow thriving must

be understood, nurtured, and expanded.

The most influential pro reason, pro freedom intellectual

movement in the world is Objectivism. This conference

will explore its achievements, opportunities for its growth,

and its potential for the future of humankind.

It comes together at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas,

June 30-July 8, 2009. Low fees, very low tuition for students

(plus scholarship options). It will be a life changing event and

the intellectual adventure of a lifetime.

More details including schedules and enrollment form will

be posted by mid-February at www.FreeMinds09.org.

Also, if you'd like to participate as a speaker, please see the

Call for Presentations at the Web page, www.FreeMinds09.org

Meanwhile please E-mail us if you have any questions:

FreeMinds09@Gmail.com.

Fred Stitt, Director

Kate Herrick, Conference Coordinator

The Free Minds Foundation

www.FreeMinds09.org

This is a terrific idea. Have somebody else run a summer seminar. I have no doubt Fred and Kate will do a great job with it. If TAS can get out of the business of running seminars and contribute/collaborate to people with new ideas about how to run them, that would free up a lot of their time. I went to a smaller mini-seminar of about 50-60 people that Fred put on in Silicon Valley about 9-10 years ago and it was a blast.

Jim

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I received an email from a friend and as requested, I am posting it here.

I just looked at the site and it looks exciting. Check it out:

The Free Minds Foundation: www.FreeMinds09.org

Apparently the following text is on the page, but since it was in the email, I am also presenting it. Go to the link to see it formatted a lot better.

July 2009: A Historic Objectivist Summer Conference

Mark your calendar for an Objectivist blowout Summer Conference.

FREE MINDS '09:

The past, present, future of Objectivism

Presentation proposals are welcome.

See www.FreeMinds09.org

June 30-July 8, 2009 at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Nathaniel Branden, Tibor Machan, Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal,

David Boaz of Cato, Marsha Enright, Doug Den Uyl, Doug Rasmussen,

Mimi Gladstein, David Kelley and Ed Hudgins of the Atlas Society (tbc),

Robert L. Campbell, Editor, New Ideas in Psychology, and dozens of other

world-class experts will examine the role of reason-based and pro-freedom

philosophy in:

Education

History

Ethics

Law

Arts

Politics

Economics

Psychology

Science and Technology

Innovation and Invention

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Join us to hear, meet, and discuss all these realms

with leading thinkers and innovators of our time.

Invited organizations also include the Reason Foundation,

Wikipedia, the Institute for Humane Studies, the Independent

Institute, the X Prize Foundation, plus participants from leading

universities, student clubs, and independent Objectivist, humanist,

and libertarian groups.

CONFERENCE THEME

Throughout history, there have been a few isolated periods

notable for their cultures of freedom and reason. These

periods have produced the greatest thinking, the greatest

wealth, and the greatest science, art, and advancements

in justice and human well being.

This fact is fully documented but its importance is rarely

noted or appreciated. In reality, it is the most important

topic of all time. If we want humanity to thrive, the conditions

of freedom and respect for reason that allow thriving must

be understood, nurtured, and expanded.

The most influential pro reason, pro freedom intellectual

movement in the world is Objectivism. This conference

will explore its achievements, opportunities for its growth,

and its potential for the future of humankind.

It comes together at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas,

June 30-July 8, 2009. Low fees, very low tuition for students

(plus scholarship options). It will be a life changing event and

the intellectual adventure of a lifetime.

More details including schedules and enrollment form will

be posted by mid-February at www.FreeMinds09.org.

Also, if you'd like to participate as a speaker, please see the

Call for Presentations at the Web page, www.FreeMinds09.org

Meanwhile please E-mail us if you have any questions:

FreeMinds09@Gmail.com.

Fred Stitt, Director

Kate Herrick, Conference Coordinator

The Free Minds Foundation

www.FreeMinds09.org

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I will try everything to be able to attend, but I'm not sure my schedule will allow it this year. In any case, I'm excited about Fred and Kate stepping up to the plate and I encourage everyone who can make a presentation or attend to do so.

Jim

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Roger; I don't notice your question about whether this was planned before TAS announced the cancelation. It was mentioned to me very soon after the cancellation that Fred Stitt was thinking of having a conference this year. He may have decided to really work on the idea. A friend described the web site has still needing a lot of work. All of the above is just a thought.

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  • 2 months later...

"OBJECTIVISM - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE" - The deadline for the maximum discount for registration for this stunning array of Open Objectivist scholars and luminaries ends at midnight, tonight, April 30 (12:00 midnight, Pacific time). Log on to www.freeminds.org for the complete information on the lecturers and topics, registration information, etc. Still available after today, but at a slightly higher rate.

Kelley, Hudgins, Branden, Machan....need I say more?....o.k., Robert Campbell, Roger Bissell, Robert Poole, Christopher Robinson, Alexander Cohen,...among others. Take a look at the full roster.

You DO need some inspiration in these times, don't you? :super:

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If the organizers are looking to attract a large student audience I believe their fees will discourage that.

Early-bird registration:

Final registration fee will be $850.

Early bird discount registration has been extended. Register now for $550 through April 30. Includes all conference events (but not housing or meals).

May 1 through May 31, the registration fee will be $650 and will increase by $100 each month after that.

Half Week Option. You can enroll for Part One, June 30 - July 3, or Part Two July 5 - July 8 for $300 until April 30. This rate will increase by $50 each month after that.

Student registration: $150 through April 30. Student fee will increase by $50 each month after that.

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Michael; There not the same thing?

Chris,

No, they are different. Here is the conference link:

http://www.freeminds09.org/index.html

Here is the anti-Jevohah's Witness site link (given in Jerry's post).

www.freeminds.org

Michael

Egad! I have enough trouble dealing with certain ARIan-types! :sick: :alien:

Sorry about the error in the web address! Michael has given the correct one.

BTW, I just received today an email from The Atlas Society, which contains positive info about the FreeMinds09 conference, for which TAS is also contributing speakers. Please note that they have arranged for an extension of the reduced conference registration amount to be offered through the end of May :super: :cheer: Copied below:

Kelley, Hudgins To Speak at Free Minds '09 Conference!

Reason and freedom are under attack and in crisis worldwide.

Our friends Fred Stitt and Kate Herrick have organized FreeMinds '09, a great summer event that will allow you to learn what can and will be done about today's challenges. The program includes over 50 incisive presentations on all aspects of the theory, practice, and future of Objectivism.

Speakers will include Dr. David Kelley and Dr. Edward Hudgins from The Atlas Society. Also on the program are Nathaniel Branden, Robert Poole of Reason, David Boaz of Cato, and dozens of other world class thinkers and doers.

The event will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, June 30 - July 8, 2009.

Register now for major discounts, half-week options, and low-cost housing.

The April 30 discount deadline shown on the Free Minds '09 web site has been extended as a courtesy to those receiving this notice to May 31.

See www.FREEMINDS09.org for details and enrollment information.

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I'm not going to be able to attend - - - I have two trips to the USA already this summer.

Hopefully the organizers will make CDs or downloadable mp3s of the sessions available. Great list of speakers. I'm assuming the listed speakers have committed and not only been invited.

Bill P

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I'm not going to be able to attend - - - I have two trips to the USA already this summer.

Hopefully the organizers will make CDs or downloadable mp3s of the sessions available. Great list of speakers. I'm assuming the listed speakers have committed and not only been invited.

Bill P

Bill, I have committed, and I assume that the other speakers have as well. I'm also assuming that they will not charge me to give my talk, since I'm not going to be able to attend any of the rest of the Conference. I am barely managing to sandwich in a hit-and-run presentation, with music gigs stacked up on either side of Tuesday July 7, when I talk at about 2:30 pm.

I join you in hoping that DVDs or at least CDs or mp3s will be available.

REB

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I'm not going to be able to attend - - - I have two trips to the USA already this summer.

Hopefully the organizers will make CDs or downloadable mp3s of the sessions available. Great list of speakers. I'm assuming the listed speakers have committed and not only been invited.

Bill P

Bill, I have committed, and I assume that the other speakers have as well. I'm also assuming that they will not charge me to give my talk, since I'm not going to be able to attend any of the rest of the Conference. I am barely managing to sandwich in a hit-and-run presentation, with music gigs stacked up on either side of Tuesday July 7, when I talk at about 2:30 pm.

I join you in hoping that DVDs or at least CDs or mp3s will be available.

REB

I'm glad to hear that release of recordings is being planned.

Bill P

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for getting the word out, Michael, Roger, and Jerry, and for the kind words, Barbara, Jim, Jordan, and Chris! And I do hope you'll come, Neil - I'd love to meet you, as well as Michael.

The full program is now up at the website. We're on course for a great conference!

A couple of you were wondering whether presentations would be put on CD/DVD. We are making arrangements for that - but we won't make anything on it, so, better to come to Vegas. :)

Come check out the new speakers! (We almost got Jimmy Wales, but he had a schedule conflict.)

For those planning to go, I highly recommend a free day visit to the Valley of Fire State Park for its geological deserty splendors. It's close enough that you'll have time left for a night on the town.

Hope to see you all there!

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