Southwestern Society of Mind

We welcome scholars from all disciplines, non-scholars with unique perspectives, and any drifters or passers-through who want to stop by, share their ideas, or just listen in at the 2nd

About the Organization: The Southwestern Society of Mind is a small outlaw organization that dispenses with the conventions and formalities of typical academic conferences, instead promoting a relaxed, creative, and unrestrained discourse on the mind. Our hope is that a rejection of disciplinary territoriality and rigid intellectual traditions will spur a fun, freewheeling, and creative multidisciplinary dialogue. The intent is to promote an environment in which scholars and thinkers from seemingly disparate disciplines (e.g., anthropology, biology, philosophy, physics, psychology, the arts, etc.) will enjoy socializing and sharing their ideas about the mind.

https://sites.google.com/view/southwesternsocietyofmind/home?authuser=2

About the Meeting: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event will be a hybrid conference. Presenters will have the option of attending the in-person event or providing a virtual presentation. There is the possibility that that the entire event will be hosted online if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.

In-Person Event: The meeting is intended to be a small gathering of minds. It will be a 2 day event. The first day will consist of a catered social with food, libations, and a keynote address. On the second day, presentations will begin at 9am and last until 5pm. Food and drinks will be provided throughout the entire event. The meeting will be a mix of presentations, conversations, feasting, and perhaps a game of horseshoes or two.

Virtual Presentations: Those who opt for virtual presentations will provide the conference organizers with Youtube links to their presentations. These presentations will be hosted on the Southwestern Society of Mind's website. More information will be provided as the meetingdraws near.

Location: The in-person meeting will take place in the atmosphere of rustic charm and modern comfort of the Meeting Hall of the Indian Lodge in beautiful Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas. With its white adobe walls, historic aura, and refreshing pool, Indian Lodge is a welcome oasis in the high desert of West Texas. Explore the natural beauty of the Davis Mountains by day, and kick back in your next door room by night.

Indian Lodge

16453 Park Rd 3

Fort Davis, TX 79734

Accommodations: Indian Lodge is a full-service hotel set in Davis Mountains State Park. One can also stay in any of the historic hotels in the nearby city of Fort Davis.

Things to Do: In addition to the meeting, Fort Davis offers opportunities for exploration such as:

• Hiking trails
• Fort Davis National Historic Site
• McDonald Observatory
• Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
• Davis Mountains Preserve
• Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine.
• Art, music, and fine dining scene in Marfa, TX

Presentations: Each presenter will have 15 minutes to share their idea followed by 15 minutes of discussion. In the spirit of free rein, the format of the presentations is wide open. Presenters should avoid discipline specific jargon. Presentations should be directed to an educated lay audience. The conference organizers will provide a computer and projector.

Submission Process: Anyone is welcome to submit an abstract. Abstracts should be approximately 250 words and can be submitted to the email address below. Submissions should provide a brief description of the presentation. Abstracts will be reviewed within two weeks of their submission and accepted on a rolling basis.