Wonderfest Testimonials

Kudos' from the distinguished guest speakers:

"Wonderfest was a huge success -- truly high levels of content, and fabulous conversational dynamics. I thought the exchanges with the audiences were some of the best I've heard -- crisp, cogent, and informative. Great Job!"

- Charles Junkerman, Dean of Continuing Studies, Stanford

"Thank you for all the work and all the careful thought that you've invested in Wonderfest. Every aspect, from the website, to the promotional materials, to the venue to the logistics to the vetting of topics, is done with assured professionalism."

- Greg Laughlin, Asst. Professor of Astronomy, U.C. Santa Cruz [Wonderfest 2003 speaker on "Is the Universe Infinite?"]

"My most enthusiastic congratulations on a successful Wonderfest, indeed. ...  The experience was delightful -- everything from the organization and execution to the audiences. (Events) such as Wonderfest are so important -- they not only bring the excitement of science to the curious lay public, but bring the curiosities and needs of the public to
the scientists!"

- Judith Campisi, Head of Molecular Biology, Berkeley National Lab ("Can human longevity be markedly increased?")

"The audience was enthusiastic and asked great questions, a sure sign that they benefitted from our program."

- Joel Primack, Professor of Physics, U.C. Santa Cruz ("Is there more to the universe than we observe?")

"It was fun. ... I like the philosophy."

- Dean Ornish, President & Director, Preventive Medicine Research  Institute ("Is alternative medicine worthy of further research?")

"Great idea. Wonderful experience for everyone. Thank you for making it  possible."

- Walter Freeman, Professor of Neurobiology, U.C. Berkeley ("Do we understand  consciousness?")

"The program was good and the event well organized. You pulled off a tremendous task very smoothly."

- Helen Quinn, Physicist, SLAC ("Will Einstein's dream of a unified theory of  everything be realized in our time?")

"It was a pleasure to participate in your terrific program. The audience was great - they asked all sorts of stimulating questions."

- John Gabrieli, Assoc. Professor of Psychology, Stanford ("Do we understand the fallibility of memory?")

"It was a most enjoyable experience. The interest, intelligence, and background of the audience permitted a high level of interaction. On a personal level, getting to know [my partner] led to an invitation to speak to an  undergraduate research seminar he teaches. ... We also began a collaboration in  which two people in his laboratory are now doing mass spectroscopy on some our  meteorite samples."

- David Deamer, Professor of Chemistry, U.C. Santa Cruz ("Would life on other  worlds be like life on Earth?")

"I think you did a great job, and I am glad all went well."

- John Searle, Professor of Philosophy, U.C. Berkeley ("Do we understand consciousness?")

"Congratulations on an OUTSTANDING job with the planning, logistics, and implementation of WONDERFEST. I was very impressed with the quality of the arrangements, and the size and quality of the crowds at the Sunday sessions. ...  I very much appreciate being invited to participate in your wonderful project.  As it turned out, I consider it one of my more important talks. EVERYTHING WAS  SUPERBLY ORGANIZED; I GIVE YOU AN 'A+'."

- Albert Harrison, Professor of Psychology, U.C. Davis ("Is SETI dangerous?")

"I want to thank you for organizing this very pleasant and useful event. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in it."

- Andrew Pohorille, Head of Cellular Modeling, NASA-Ames Research Center ("Do  we understand the origin of life on Earth?")

"My experience was good and I fully support the philosophy of the  effort."

- Calvin Harley, Chief Scientific Officer, Geron Corporation ("Can human longevity be markedly increased?")

"Congratulations again on making this marvelous event happen! ... You have started a most magnificent enterprise!!! I very much want to see it continue and  flourish."

- Richard Zare, Professor of Chemistry, Stanford University ("Would life on  other worlds be like life on Earth?")

Praise from Wonderfest attendees:

"Thank you! I have just returned home from Wonderfest session ["Do we  understand consciousness?"]. Yesterday I attended both morning and afternoon  sessions. Together they provided a great learning experience, clarifying  considerably some current viewpoints among scientists and philosophers. All of us who experienced these sessions should be grateful to you and the Wonderfest team for organizing the event and for so brilliantly luring just the right folks to make presentations, certainly I am. Over many years on the Berkeley faculty (not in the sciences) many of the people and ideas were familiar.  Nevertheless, the panels I attended provided a continuous stream new understanding and richer insights into ideas I've long known about. Thank you all again."

- Berkeley Wonderfest attendee and U.C. faculty member

"Bravo! for your outstanding accomplishment of completing Wonderfest.  The speakers were top-notch, fascinating, and left their audiences fulfilled."

- Stanford and Berkeley attendee

"Just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed and was impressed by the  Wonderfest sessions I attended. Congratulations on such a beautiful job!"

- Stanford attendee

"I attended presentations at both Cal & Stanford this past weekend -- all  excellent! It would be great if this type of program took place more  frequently."

- Cal & Stanford attendee

"What a tremendous undertaking! I read about your plans in the SF Chronicle  while my daughter and I were visiting the area, but we were unable to stay long  enough to participate. It is the kind of opportunity that would attract us back next year if there are plans to repeat it."

- Attendee

"My husband and I attended two sessions at Stanford, the one on Alternative  Medicine (very lively discussion!) and the second session on the origin of life on earth. Fascinating! As you know, the sessions were well-attended, and very, very interesting!"

- Stanford attendee

Wonderfest is endorsed by the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California.
It is  directed by Tucker Hiatt.
It receives generous administrative support from The Branson School.
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