The Uncaged Anthology has tackled feminist reimaginings of classic monsters and now they're going for the gods themselves. A retrospective on feminism in the ttrpg space and where we go next.
Description:
Every villain has her reasons... The Uncaged Anthology made a splash in the ttrpg publishing scene reenvisioning the way monsters can be portrayed. Reflecting on the series with their newest book: Uncaged Goddesses, the team discusses feminism in gaming, reframing monstrosity, the queer lens, and where we go from here. Featuring producer and art director Gwen Bassett (@gwendybee), writing director Jessica Marcrum (@Miss_Jess03), artist Elaine Ho (@artofelaineho), and writers Garrett Colón (@DM_GMC) and Grady Wang (@gallantgoblin).
Join our panel of scientists & engineers in a discussion focused on the real science behind your favorite science fiction & fantasy shows, movies, stories, & games.
Join our panel of scientists & engineers in a discussion focused on the real science behind your favorite science fiction & fantasy shows, movies, stories, & games.
Join the RTG crew as we talk about our games, past and present, and sign autographs. This isn't a news and information session. Just a bunch of gamers hanging out.
Join Maximum Mike Pondsmith and the Cyberpunk crew as they discuss Cyberpunk RED and preview what's coming up for the classic TTRPG of the Dark Future!
Join lead designer Cody Pondsmith in a discussion about all things Witcher, including insights into the game and his love of the franchise. All Witcher fans welcome!
Produce a TTRPG Stream 101 (or How to Hit the Buttons)
Summary:
Join Producer DC Lasair as he guides you through the maze of skills needed to produce a TTRPG stream.
Description:
Explore the behind-the-scenes of setting up and running a TTRPG stream, and when to hit all the shiny buttons. Learn how to be the backbone of a TTRPG streaming production. Get an introduction to the skills and tools you need to deliver quality content. DC Lasair is a Producer for Gilding Light and has produced many other streams on Twitch, including Sirens: Battle of the Bards, and The Golden TTRPGif Awards. He has 20+ years of video tech experience, and has produced over 1,000 hrs of content on Twitch.
How did a $40 million company that started the tabletop RPG industry go belly up? Dozens of interviews and anonymously-sent secret documents tell the surprising truth of what happened to TSR.
Learn how to be a more effective GM, how to deal with disruptive personalities, & how to ensure that everyone has a good time. Covers basic & advanced rules & gamemastering techniques.
Description:
Learn how to be a more effective GM, how to deal with disruptive personalities, & how to ensure that everyone has a good time. Covers basic & advanced rules & gamemastering techniques.
ZPE, energy quantum theory says is all around us. It may not be real, but SciFi writers use it as limitless "free" energy. What's real vs. SciFi? Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., physicist on NSDM staff
Description:
Zero-point energy, ZPE, refers to energy that exists even at absolute zero. One form of this rises from quantum field theory, which cites a universe composed of continuous fluctuating fields formed from a huge amount of energy that we cannot see. Some argue this is an artifact of mathematics, not a real thing. Others say that, if it is real, it is in equilibrium & entropy principles will not permit us to tap it. Recently, ZPE has become fodder for SciFi novel & screenplay writers as a source of limitless "free" energy. What is SciFi & what is real? What's the true potential of ZPE & how close might we be to realizing it? With a focus on the science & engineering technology, lecture attempts to separate fact from fiction. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a physicist with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
The JWST is designed to view objects 100x fainter than Hubble. We'll discuss the telescope's planned mission of observing the oldest and most distant objects, and look at images if available.
Description:
The James Webb space telescope (JWST) was launched December 25, 2021 after years of work. Learn about the intricate engineering of the JWST, designed to view objects 100x fainter than Hubble can. We'll discuss the telescope's planned missions including observing the oldest and most distant objects in the universe and of characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets, and look at the first images if available. Presented by Elizabeth Koprucki, a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador and member of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
A Great Power or a wannabe? The role of Russia and the goals of Putin in the current international system are examined and its unique position discussed. By Dr. Craig Greathouse, NSDMG staff.
Description:
The end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union returned the state of Russia as a player in the international system. Led by Vladimir Putin, Russia has attempted to forge for itself a dominant position in that system. This lecture looks at the goals and motivations of Russia under Putin and whether it has been a success at staking out a Great Power position in that system. Presented by Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in the EU, International Relations Theory and Security and Defense Policy, of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
History of Ukraine in context of European international relations, diplomacy, natural resources and strategic position. By Merle Robinson of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia, and with a population of 43 million, is Europe’s eighth-most populous country. Ukraine has maintained own unique ethnic and cultural identity despite the fact that, throughout history, parts of Ukraine have been ruled by Poland, the Mongols, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Nazi Germany and, of course, Russia and the Soviet Union. As a crossroads between the Balkans, Eastern and Western Europe, Ukraine occupies a crucial position. As a breadbasket, Ukraine has been crucial to local economies. And as a point of contention, Ukraine has been at the center of the continuing conflict between Russia and the West. This lecture will examine Ukraine's history and its significance in European and world affairs. Presented by Merle Robinson of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Examines factors and events that transformed the American Colonists from mostly-loyal British citizens to the brink of armed revolt in eleven years. By Merle Robinson of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Lecture covers the sequence of events that took the American Colonists from mostly-loyal British citizens to the brink of armed revolt in eleven years. The French and Indian war was over, the Colonists were looking forward settling new lands west of the Appalachians that had been ceded by the French and they'd been promised. Then they were told London was giving that land to wartime Native allies. Then that London would keep a permanent military presence in North America, which the Colonists to pay for by an illegal tax. In London, MPs offended that the Colonists protested the taxes quickly abolished colonial legislatures and sent troops to Boston in response to the resultant riots. A spiral of increasing Colonial resistance and heavy-handed Parliamentary response ultimately led to combat and revolution. Presented by Merle Robinson of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Mechanics of Secrecy: Military Cipher Machine Demo
Summary:
Learn how historical military cipher machines like the German Enigma work. See historical specimens and replicas from the Civil War to the Cold War. By Ryan of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Militaries throughout history have had a vested interest in keeping their communiques secrets. This lecture will provide an overview of mechanical and electromechanical cipher machines from the Civil War through the Cold War, such as the Vigenère cipher, rotor ciphers based on the German Enigma, and the Hagelin pin and lug machines. The role of the CIA and German BND in sabotaging cryptography will be discussed. Ryan of the National Security Decision Making Game staff is a cryptography collector and nuclear geek. He will display machines from his collection, including a replica Confederate encryption wheel, a modern Enigma simulator, 3D printed Enigma, and historic machines, including a Swiss NEMA, Russian Fialka, a US Army Hagelin M-209, and a Swedish Transvertex HC-9.
Framework for grasping cyberwar & issues critical to understanding this new domain of war. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in Security & Defense Policy, NSDM staff.
Description:
Lecture will provide a framework for grasping cyberwar & address current debates & issues that are critical for understanding this new domain of war. Lecture provides definitional clarity & an overview of the types of attacks that have been used within the international system. It will address historical & current examples of cyberwar & the actors that have engaged in its usage. Actors such as the United States, Russia, China, Iran & North Korea will all be discussed to show the impact of this powerful tool within the system. Lecture will also address the attempts to limit cyberwar through international law & the significant issues that have arisen in the attempt to moderate its usage. By Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in the EU, International Relations Theory, and Security and Defense Policy, on the National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game staff.
The 1756-1763 conflict changed the world balance, but left issues, some of which brought Britain's thirteen American colonies to rebellion and war. Presented by Merle Robinson of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Considered a world war by some historians, the 1756-1763 conflict was a primarily a struggle for global pre-eminence between Great Britain and France involving nearly all major world powers. The French and Indian War, already being waged in North America, became subsumed into the broader conflict. The outcome changed the world balance in many respects, but left substantial issues including a trajectory that would bring Britain's thirteen American colonies to the brink of armed conflict within a decade. Presented by Merle Robinson of the National Security Decision Making Game staff