Some highlights from the conference so far...

[x_samson]

I have a few moments between panel discussions, and after escaping the most inane and ludicrous argument I have ever been involved with, I need a few moments to think of positive things.

Thus far in this conference I have run into a few old friends from various places, a few old (and new) rivals, a disappointing number of bigots, and a heartening number of curious and open-minded scholars.

Among the most interesting ideas I've come across this weekend:

--Family support services: Obviously, this is something I'm already involved in, but many participants were discussed standards responses and education. One attendant brought up the proliferation of information on Attention Deficit Disorder. Parents have access to a wide array of printed information, educated doctors and psychologists, specially trained teachers, etc, to help them work with children born with this disorder. The question was raised if parents of mutants had access to even a tenth of that support, how many fewer tragedies and problems could we solve?

--Mutants and medicine: I went to three panels or breakout groups that discussed this general issue. The most interesting panel was discussing how to incorporate mutancy and its attendant medical unique properties into medical school curriculum. There was also a fascinating discussion on medication and mutants--I was able to discuss the paper my colleague Paul and I publishing, on anti-depressant use for mutants.

--Mutant and Human alliances: One ever-present theme in many of the seminars today was the relationship between humans and mutants. I'm not sure about everyone else's experience, but the main discussions I encountered were talking about ways human communities could be supportive of their mutant members. I brought up the 'Mutant-Human Alliance' one of our psych interns, Jasmine, is working on in a Bronx high school. Mutant students have found human allies and several supportive teachers to meet weekly to discuss current issues and provide support for both the mutant students and the human students who experience teasing and shunning due to their support. We discussed multiple concepts like this, and the dynamics of the interactions. I wonder whether students from the mansion would be interested in participating in something like this at one of the local high school?

Comments

[x-skin.livejournal.com]

You know, my mom runs monthly meetings for parents of mutant kids that want to be there for them, in the city. That the kind of thing you're thinking of with the family support?

[x-cynosure.livejournal.com]

Though I agree that more mutant-oriented education where the general public is concerned is a good thing, I also shudder to think of the fallout that would come with parents self-diagnosing their children with new forms of mutancy as a means to excuse their behavior.

[x-wolverine.livejournal.com]

Anyone talking about medical experimentation or is that still the big skeleton in the closet?

[x-wallflower-.livejournal.com]

No one in any way reputable would ever experiment on mutants, or condone experimentation where it did happen. This is a conference to benefit both mutants and humans, it's not about exploiting us.

[x-wolverine.livejournal.com]

Right. Guess that rules out the US Government, maybe the Canadians, def the Russians ...

Grow up, kid. It's a fact. It happens.

[x-wallflower-.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it does. But did you see the word I used there? Reputable. I very much doubt that medical experimentation on mutants would be a big draw card here.

[x-pressive.livejournal.com]

Not experimentation per se, but there was a talk about energy projectors/manipulators volunteering themselves to serve as power sources for cities. I skipped out early on that one, though, because it turned into an economics shouting match and didn't look like it'd be resolved any time during the hour.

[x-wallflower-.livejournal.com]

I've been mainlining all the medical knowledge and talks I can get to. It's fantastic to be able to talk to people so far ahead of me in all the different fields.

Did you catch the talks about better ways to identify specific mutations before they manifest?