Write-up  by Alex, [..] comments by me. I bet you missed this.

..........

The 2nd panel was left to right: Michael S, Steve, Wal, David, Dwardu,
Rens. 

[ L to R: Michael Steinbacher, Steve Smith, Wall Thornhill, Dave
Talbott, Dwardu Cardona, Rens vd Sluijs ]

As they were setting up Kees and I were talking about the mythology
aspect and I said it was a life changing experience to go through which he
agreed, I also mentioned I was doubting if I should ask my question and he
said I should go for it , if they know they know, if they don't they don't
know. 

I think I was speaking my thoughts too loud (my big mouth sometimes)
because later in the panel some weird things happened which I will get to
soon. I also mentioned to Kees that "I'm afraid I'll have to fill in the
gaps myself" when it comes to the psychology, because it's been so long
and there hasn't been much writing in that field on these subjects,
although what does exist as I mentioned is still great. I hope that didn't
sound arrogant (that I will have to fill in the psychology gaps) but that
statement is coming from more of a disappointment and lament, rather than
a careerist or whatever viewpoint. 

[ There are some writings on the CDROM on Velikovsky's "Mankind in
Amnesia" which are dismissive. And a very few writings by others on
mostly the same subject. I had some quotes in my text, I may have removed
them to make room.]  

I actually did write a brief psychological synopsis back in 2006 which I
have never published and am still doing some writing slowly on the side,
but that's another subject. 

Ok so then the second panel started after a question by announcer David -
is the panel more focused on science or myth? David Talbott said both were
important, and that eventually the biological aspects were going to, as
well as the mythology offers a chance for reconciliation among people or
various religions. 

[ Where does he get that one? I have a few notes on that, but more of
a biological tack. I dont remember where in my texts. And I suppose a
statement like that assumes that you cannot do wuthout religion. He comes 
from a fundamentalist background (I suspect), so we have to watch for
that slant in the Saturn story. In fact, that may be why the story-line
is that Saturn just appears, enters the Solar System, and then things are 
over -- as if God has just revealed himself to humanity, started
civilizations, organized kingdoms, bla bla bla.]

Then things got a little more sour. I noticed Steve Smith was sitting
there with either a very serious or partially aggressive look towards us
in the audience, he was staring at me or us or in our direction and didn't
looked pleased or positive at all. 

[ Wow, I noticed that also.  I had the thought, "he is looking at
us," but dismissed it, for I didn't think he would know what we looked
like, or where we were in the audience. It is probably how he always looks
when he is giving Ti Chi instructions. On the other hand, he probably
knows me because I have emailed him in the past, saying, "what an
outstanding job you are doing of coming up with a new Image of the Day on
a daily basis."]

He then said that something had to have happened to the ancients because
"they sacrificed their children and wore the skins of people" - which was
true and a pretty "shocking" way to kick off the panel. 

[ True of Canaanites and Phoenicians. And Abraham and Jacob. The
"skin" incident is Aztec.]

I can't remember if he mentioned this before or after David's positive
reconciliation message. Steve then at point made this statement: "There is
not a single person on the planet who knows more about the mythology than
this panel (group?) right here." 

This is pretty much a direct quote, which he said very sternly,
authoritatively, and which was burned into my mind. 

[ Yeah, I felt it was directed our way also. But of course my evil
mind went, "Guess again Stevie, I have you beat." ]

I'm going to analyze and go ahead and guess that he obviously meant to put
down you and your work by such a statement. So he may have been indirectly
referring to you at that moment, or perhaps us as he was giving me a bad
looks so maybe he thought I was a threat? 

[ Maybe, maybe. It is also of note that I was always sitting next to
Kees who was constantly engaged with his laptop as if we were taking
stenographic notes on the conference. Actually he was busy negotiating the
inclusion of the flaming Easter Egg for Ubuntu. But it must have looked
weird. And if anyone was stationed behind us to peak at his screen, they
would have been totally confounded, cause he operates in tiny text and
with the screen mostly dimmed.]

I don't want to sound crazy but stick to more likely ideas. So I find his
statement very bold, and perhaps very arrogant - obviously there are
people who know more, such as yourself, and how can Steve indeed speak for
the whole planet? I can't offer any conclusive data on my guesses, but if
someone like you exists, then there has to be at least one other person or
group someone in the world maybe in another country speaking another
language that knows something. One would guess that places like Japan and
China must certainly have someone there. 

[ Steve speaks for the whole planet because the Saturn stuff has
become a religion, where only they are completely right. God is on their
side. All they now need is an e-meter, and a course structure to make
people clear of all their sins. Could be another Scientology. I wonder
when they will realize what potential they have.]

And as I speculated in email, it's possible there might be some
government/military/etc groups that may have partial knowledge or ideas
but don't share it with the public, this is certainly a possibility. 

I wasn't scared by his behavior, but I was nervous and I decided not to go
up and ask my question for a variety of reasons, one was that be their
behavior I could tell they probably didn't know more about the
psychological aspects. 

[ No fault, I felt intimidated also. Kees never noticed, he was
bent to his laptop.]