Mythmoot Presentation: "Transformative Works as a Means to Develop Critical Perspectives ..."
I had to let the video upload on YouTube run overnight because of my current Internet situation but--at last!--the video of my presentation on Saturday at Mythmoot is finally ready. The full title (which is too long to fit in the title field) is "Transformative Works as a Means to Develop Critical Perspectives in the Tolkien Fan Community." The
( Read more... )
The handout is fantastic and quite effective! Graphics are for the most part good, but in the future, be careful about your color choices. There's a bright yellow that renders its text unreadable on a computer monitor, although it may be OK on paper. Nonetheless, be aware of color choices as they relate to readability.
Others have been more delicate, so I'll be more direct: the first 1/3 of your talk was waaaaaay too fast, distractingly so, but then you got a grip and slowed down. Once you slowed down, your articulation and delivery were solid. Again, that's something to be aware of for future presentations. How many times did you practice?
I thoroughly appreciated the content and the analytical approach to the subject. I especially liked the emphasis on how, for many authors of Tolkien fan fiction, research of the sources texts approaches a scholarly level. I'd like to think this made an impact on your audience. :^)
I still haven't abandoned my notion of presenting my Henry Gee-esque bit on speciation of the Firstborn and mortal Men. There's no way I could have pulled it off for either this year's Mythmoot or the 3rd Conference on Middle-earth. Nonetheless, it could be a lot of fun to interweave current understanding of "gerontology" as Tolkien put it. I noticed, however, that there wasn't a lot of "science of Middle-earth" themed talks, except from the guy who is the hydrogeologist from California, who likely talked about harmonics - also wonder if there's a confluence with your previous paper there. So, I wonder how well something like that would be received.
Reply
The yellow (I know exactly which graph you are talking about) was legible on the printout but definitely could have been clearer. Talking fast ... yes, this has always been an issue for me. (In presentations and conversations. Actually, I daresay conversations are worse ...) It remains something I'm working on. I recorded myself for my Ainulindale talk and didn't have a chance to do that this time. I practiced the same number of times as for "Tree of Tales," I think, but feedback on oneself is huge and I didn't have that this time.
I'd like to think this made an impact on your audience. :^)
I hope so! It certainly ended up the inadvertent theme of the conference, I think, or one of them, with a huge announcement from Professor Olsen (that I alluded to in my opening remarks) about developing an imaginary Silm TV series as a way to study the books. One of the big takeaways from that was that he'd come to realize the role that fanfic actually can play as a learning tool. Since my paper was that afternoon, it turned out to be the perfect lead-in. :)
I noticed, however, that there wasn't a lot of "science of Middle-earth" themed talks
There weren't, which is odd, since there seems to be a good share of Mythmoot attendees with advanced science degrees. You know I'm super-excited about your ideas in that area. There seems to be a fair number of Tolkien/fantasy studies conferences on the East Coast of late. If there's none later this year (which would surprise me), there is always Mythmoot 2017. ;)
Reply
Wait what, where? 8)
Reply
Michael Basial, The Ainuphydalë: The Physics of the Ainur
Reply
Leave a comment