Dara Fogel, Ph.D. watched the original broadcasts of Star Trek with her father as a wee lass, and has been attending cons since the age of nine. Her Orion Slave Girl costume won multiple contests back in the day, and she taught several Star Trek and Matrix-themed philosophy courses at both the University of Oklahoma and the University of New Mexico. She was the first queen of the Norman Medieval Fair and is still an active volunteer; and was the founding director of the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair. She is the author of the bestselling Steampunk series The GrailChase Chronicles, which combines the unholy combination of speculative science, conspiracy theory, metaphysics, and romance. She has published academically and presented extensively on the philosophies of Star Trek, Steampunk, and Holographic Universe Theory. Her essay "Life in the Holodeck" was included in Blackwell's The Ultimate Star Trek and Philosophy, and in the college textbook Philosophy and Popular Culture. She is delighted to be returning to Soonercon.
AI is advancing at a rapid pace, from art generation to decision-making systems. But where should we set ethical boundaries? Will AI ever achieve true consciousness, and if it does, what rights should it have? Join the discussion on how AI is shaping our future.
For thousands of years, people have looked to the night sky and woven stories around the stars. Constellations appear in myths, religions, and navigation traditions across many cultures. This panel explores the legends behind familiar star patterns and how different societies interpreted the heavens. What do these stories reveal about how humans understand the universe?
AI is here, it’s loud, and it isn’t packing its bags anytime soon. Instead of fighting the tide, this panel dives into how creators, fans, and everyday humans can use AI as a genuinely helpful tool. We explore practical ways to fold AI into your workflow, from brainstorming and research to prototyping art, planning stories, building worlds, and enhancing skills you already have.
Frank Herbert’s Dune universe explores far more than desert planets and giant sandworms. The series weaves religion, politics, ecology, genetics, and questions about what it means to be human. This panel takes a closer look at the themes and ideas that make the Duniverse one of the most influential works of science fiction. Join us as we dig into the mythology and meaning behind the spice.
How do authors create meaningful and nuanced religious systems for their worlds? Panelists discuss the dos and don'ts of cultural worldbuilding.