I do like the feel of the Redemption con atmosphere; it's very participative. There were too many interesting discussions to attend all the ones I wanted to hear, and I took part in quite a few. I think I only sat on one panel where I was completely de trop: this was on biology. The panel was lead by a lady from the BBC natural history unit, who was not only knowledgeable but confidently articulate. She had contributed assertively and constructively, from the audience, at a feminism panel I sat on the day before, and I felt that the best way I could return the favour was to shut up and let her do her stuff.
On another panel - on the impact of developments in technology - I knew very little, but I was able to contribute by asking dumb questions (not hard, as I was the dumb one). I think this helped the flow of the discussion a little.
In other panels - on Misfits, Lovecraft, werewolves, short SF stories and ghost stories, and as I say feminism - I felt I could contribute more constructively. However, in all cases, at Redemption it is about what the audience bring, to the extent that I hope the panel/audience distinction can break down. I was also a Masquerade judge: six or seven sharp costume presentations. I felt that the Cabaret acts which followed were well conceived - working to people's strengths, snappily introduced by
And of course it was great to see my friends, many of whom are on livejournal, and are very varied and interesting bunch. Some of you I only see for one weekend every two years - how strange that is. Some I missed - I may have passed you in the corridor, but I tried to spot names and faces that I knew.