August 7-10, 2008
University of Oregon at Eugene

2008 Information

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IN THE TRENCHES AWARD

In 2004, at the recommendation of Ray Hyman, CSICOP announced the first annual In The Trenches awards to take place at the Skeptics Toolbox in Eugene, Oregon. In Ray's own words, here is a description of the awards:

"The title In the Trenches just popped into my head. My understanding of the term is that it designates those individuals in any group or organization who are in the front lines or who actually deal with the nitty-gritty of the organization's business. This is in contrast to those higher up in the hierarchy who run the show but who are typically far removed from actual interface between the organization and the real world.

I have tried to search the internet and various dictionaries to find the origin of the phrase. So far, I have not succeeded. However, it looks like the term comes from World War I where the Germans and the Allies faced each other in trenches. Both sides were dug in and spent much time living in very tough circumstances while waiting for orders to jump out of their ditches, charge across no-man's land, and try to oust the enemy from its trenches. Such charges, of course, were more often fatal than successful, but desparate soldiers probably thought it was better to attack the entrenched enemy than to continue trying to survive in their dismal trenches.

Many of the people who attend the Skeptics Toolbox are those who are in the trenches - battling nonsense and promoting skeptical inquiry. They comprise the interface between the skeptics and the "real" world. The success of our movement will depend more upon the skeptics at this level than it will on anything else. "

-- Ray Hyman

2004 In The Trenches Award Recipients

To mark the first annual In The Trenches awards, three veteran skeptics from California were chosen as the 2004 recipients.

Wilma Russell
A retired school teacher, Wilma has been attending the Toolbox for many years. Her contributions to the skeptics' movement are many and her commitment to critical thinking is strong. An active member of the Bay Area Skeptics, Wilma was responsible for the group's newsletter and participated in a variety of events across the country.
It is her grassroots work that is celebrated with this award.

Godfrey "Ben" Baumgartner
Ben has attended almost every skeptical event known to humankind. Always filled with questions and enthusiasm he comes prepared to solve mysteries and investigate the wackiest claims and ideas our world has ever seen. With a sharp and quick mind, Ben contributes both his thoughts and his time to the skeptics' movement and for his undying commitment to skepticism and critical thinking, he received the 2004 In The Trenches award.

Carol Baumgartner
Perhaps the Skeptics Toolbox MVP, Carol has attended each and every Toolbox there has been, along with her husband, Ben. She has helped to raise awareness of the Toolbox and the many events, publications, and other components of the skeptics movement both in the San Francisco Bay area and at many conferences across the country. Her generosity and kindness brings much warmth and welcome to the annual Toolbox and for all that she is, and all that she does, she is celebrated with this award.

2005 In The Trenches Award Recipients
DETAILS COMING SOON

Herb Masters

Jeanine DeNoma

2006 In The Trenches Award Recipients
DETAILS COMING SOON

Harriet Hall

Chris Clarke

 

If you would like to nominate candidates for future
In The Trenches Awards
please send an email to Amanda Chesworth at a.human@mindspring.com

 

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