Jul 06 2012
11 Comments
By Skeptical Abyss Conferences, Sexism, TAM

Mr. X not coming to TAM

This is a Skeptical Abyss news update. Breaking news.

The SA newsroom has just learned that Mr. X has pulled out of attending TAM2012. Our anonymous tipster has indicated that Mr. X feels that, due to the publicity he has received lately, he would not feel welcome at TAM and fears he would be harassed.

We are seeking comment from Mr. X.

Update. We received the following comment from Mr. X:

The recent events certainly influenced that decision. I just don’t want to risk it being an unpleasant affair or anything because of them. The other thing is TAM is expensive, but normally it’s worth it to me spending the money to go. This year the speaker lineup is not very impressive, so I hardly see much point in bothering to pay or to risk it.

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  • Don O. Treply

    This is regretful, as Mr. X’s presence has always been part of the charm of TAM, where he has more friends and fans than he might realize.

    Indeed, this year especially Mr. X would arrive as a hero, having been baselessly accused of serious crimes by a despicable hive of angry bloggers and their white knights.

    Sure Mr. X has had his missteps, but we are a forgiving lot. Might he reconsider?

  • Longing For a Donut

    Don, this is not only regretful, is an unadulterated catastrophe. To be frank, the terrorists have won. And yes, I realize that is strong language, but in my opinion the freethought bloggers and skepchicks are little more than glorified terrorists using a veneer of skepticism. And we let them get away with it. They scared off a noted raconteur, wit, and bon vivant. Mr. X was literally the life of the party. You could just feel his animal magnetism from fifty feet away.

    This is a tremendous loss. We are all poorer for it.

    I am appalled.

    • Madam du TAM

      I am sad because I won’t experience Mr. X’s warm, soft caress…as a woman, my life will never be the same.

    • Don O. Treply

      Animal magnetism I doubt, but I agree that the bad guys win if Mr. X isn’t striding proudly into the Del Mar Lounge next week.

  • Skeptical Abyss

    I don’t think that we can say this strongly enough–this is a horrible tragedy almost on the same level as the death of Ghandi, or an airline crash. I just saw on Twitter that there would be about 1,000 people at Tam2012! That’s 1,000 people whose lives will not have the enrichment that comes from meeting Mr. X. Just five minutes with Mr. X will be an experience that you will take with you for the rest of your life. A precious resource that we will now be denied.

    First they came for Oscar Wilde, and look what happened to him!

    Then they came for Albert Einstein, and looked what happen to him.

    And now they are coming for Mr. X, and nobody is doing anything about it, except for us few commenters who are willing to post anonymously on an antonymous blog. We are the true heroes.

    • Don O. Treply

      You embarrass yourself, Skeptical Abyss.

      • Skeptical Abyss

        The truth is never embarrassing, Don. You refuse to acknowledge the greatness that is Mr. X.

        • Don O. Treply

          I recognize that Mr. X is a human being with flaws who was wronged.

          I for one will welcome his presence at TAM should he reconsider.

    • Madam du TAM

      ¡Viva Señor X!

  • EveryMan

    Given that Laden “outed” my identity while I was defending Mr. X against a wrongful accusation, I wanted to go on record that I’m not endorsing any of his other behavior.

    Everybody has the basic right of presumption of innocence. Even creeps.

  • bismarket

    Couldn’t we all “Chip-in” & give him a “Holiday” in Hawaii or something?