The OCON08 thread

Work, Careers and Money
1

For those unaware, the 2008 Objectivist Conferenceis being held in the Marriott Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach. A (tentative?) list of courses was published in the Nov07 issue of Impact, but so far the only thing on the OCON webpage is the hotel information. Judging by 2006’s and 2007’s, we’ll know more by February-March. I expect the pricing will be roughly the same, maybe a bit more.

Who is going or considering going? I am, Tenure’s going, possibly Sophia, possibly some others I have spoken to.

Would anyone be interested in other oo.net meet-ups before, during, and/or after OCON08? There are a few interesting tourist destinations in the area, although they do look as though they could be expensive.

Is there anyone who might be interested in having a passenger throw in some gas money if they’re driving from LA to Newport Beach? Or, if there’s enough of us to make it cost-effective, charter a coach or something? Or at least congregate on a commuter plane, railcar or bus?

Any other suggestions?

JJM

2

I am considering going. :slight_smile:

Also interested in meet-ups.

3

I am considering going too but there is still a good chance that I will be unable to attend.

4

I’d like to attend, but I doubt I’d have the money. However I might soon have a job that pays very well, so I might be able to quickly save up enough.

5

For those unaware, the 2008 Objectivist Conferenceis being held in the Marriott Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach. A (tentative?) list of courses was published in the Nov07 issue of Impact,

Any chance you could give us some highlights from this list? or a link? I missed this, and was looking earlier this week.

6

Regretfully, it’ll probably be a few years before I am able to afford anything of the sorts. :slight_smile: I’ve got my learning to keep myself busy until then.

7

Any chance you could give us some highlights from this list? or a link? I missed this, and was looking earlier this week.

I have thought it odd that the lineup announcement was made but not mentioned on the formal website for it. The section in page 2 of impact says to see the website, but there’s nothing else there but the locations of this year’s and next’s. The image at the top of the Impact article suggests there should be a whole catalogue available, but I can’t find it indicated anywhere on the general OCON website within easy reach (I even trawled the page source code). Extrapolating from the last four years’ links, I presume that when the catalogue is finalised the link will likely be this, which presently just gives a not-found error.

There are 8 general sessions on a variety of individual topics, and 16 optional sessions. Some are philosophy theory, some are applications, some are history, some are specialised topics that may be of interested to people (eg the triumph and tragedy of the oil industry, number theory for the mathematically inclined). There is also a goodly bit of art, both general theory and discussion of both Miss Rand’s novels and also of a few other pieces of literature. One course also includes how she handled her publishers and agents. Finally, there are some topical issues, such as health care, culture, Islam, and global warming. The Impact article did say that this was subject to change, so I don’t think it’s all been set in concrete yet.

JJM

8

The general theme of the conference strikes me as being about culture, cultural change, intellectual activism. Something along those lines. There is a general session called something like “Cultural Change” given by Onkar Ghate and Yaron Brook. There’s another called “Ayn Rand as Intellectual Activist.” There were a few more along those lines, as well. Looks to be a good line up.

9

I received a short heads-up from my travel agent. There is a super-shuttle bus service from LAX that will include the Newport Beach Marriott as a stop. It costs USD35, though will be stopping several times. He didn’t say how long the bus trip will take.

He also said there’s an executive delivery service for USD130 or so.

JJM

10

I think we should rent a bunch of Harleys and roll into the Conference centre.

What? Come on guys, stick with me on this one…

11

John,

As you can imagine getting out of the immediate area of the airport is a headache. I would say that you can get from the LAX parking lot to the highway in about 10 minutes. (Yes, there have been traffic jams just _getting to_ an on ramp!!! :slight_smile: )

What I’ve realized in recent years is that Southbound traffic really does differ from Northbound as far as travel time goes. (I chalk this up to the cultural differences between OC County and LA County. Let’s face it, OC is “new money” with lots of it, and that means tons more traffic.)

Generally, on a normal late night, you can get from LAX to Newport in well under an hour. If you are talking about afternoon traffic, then hoo-boy… it could easily be double time if not more.

As far as the immediate conference area goes:

You definitely want to go South on Jamboree or MacArthur from the highway. Those streets are plenty fast, so it’s not worth trying to negotiate the lesser side streets until your close to where you want to be. Also, the 405 and the 5 merge, but that’s considerably further South over towards where Irvine meets Laguna Hills. I hate to say it, but choosing between the two big NW/SE highways is a bit of crap shoot. The 405 is closer to LAX, but it hangs closer to the coast. The 5 is more of a straight diagonal shot, but you have to get to it first, and that likely means using I-10.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formt…amp;ambiguity=1

Whatever you do when it comes to going county to county, you should add at least 30 minutes to your drive time. If it’s a tight deadline, then add 60-90 minutes more. (An individual traffic accident can bring our highways to a grinding halt… in more than one area! (domino effect))

I received a short heads-up from my travel agent. There is a super-shuttle bus service from LAX that will include the Newport Beach Marriott as a stop. It costs USD35, though will be stopping several times. He didn’t say how long the bus trip will take.

He also said there’s an executive delivery service for USD130 or so.

JJM

12

I think we should rent a bunch of Harleys and roll into the Conference centre.

Then we would all be rational bikers! :slight_smile:

13

Looking to see if there is someone who’d be interested in bunking up in a Std Room at the Marriot, and splitting the cost.

14

I’m considering going as well and would be interested in meetups

15

Then we would all be rational bikers! :thumbsup:

It’s so perfect! Nice.

I’m in Benpercent’s position here. I’m more or less broke, and college expenses will only go up here in Michigan…

16

My wife and I are both going. If there is a meet-up from folks here, we would likely want to attend.

17

Tell you what guys, we need a symbol to recognise each other. How about the American flag? :smiley: I mean, it’s our Favicon. :stuck_out_tongue:

18

I’d like to try to put something together for those of us who’ll be there. Mabye dinner and an event one of the free nights.

If you know you’re going please PM me so I can start a list of who’ll be there, and also if you folks have any ideas for an evening activity along with dinner, that woudl be great.

Still looking for anyone interested to share the cost of a room at the Marriott.

19

It looks like I will be able to attend OCON this year!

What optional course sessions is everyone planning to take or is registered for?

I am planning to register for the following five courses:

A1S1 The Triumph and Tragedy of the Oil Industry by Alex Epstein

A2S2 Global Warming: The Science, Politics and Philosophy by Keith Lockitch

C2S1 Rome’s Punic Wars: Three Victories and Their Lessons by John Lewis

D2S1 The Islamic World and the West Today by Elan Journo

D1S2 Philosophic Issues in Economics by Harry Binswanger

I am also looking into taking one or both of the following:

B2S2 Freedom of Speech in American History by Eric Daniels

C1S2 The Renaissance (part 1) by Andrew Lewis

Is it rare for someone to register for more than three optional courses in one session?

20

Athena and I are registered for the opening banquet, all general sessions, and the following optional courses:

B2S1 Freedom of Speech in History - Eric Daniels

C1S1 The Renaissance - John Lewis

C3S2 Art of Introspection - Edwin A. Locke

D1S2 Philosophic Issues in Economics - Binswanger