Jeff Provine
Jeff Provine likes to wear a lot of different hats. From his love of spooky stories, he has published several collections of haunted-Oklahoma folklore books and leads ghost tours in Norman and Oklahoma City. From his love of comics, his The Academy webcomic ran 2003-2013 and Okie Comics continues to deliver Oklahoma stories by Oklahoma creators. And from his love of speculative fiction, he has published several novels as well as the This Day in Alternate History blogging project for a twist on history for every day of the year. He also serves as Professor of English at OCCC.
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1:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Mythic Beginnings: The Influence of Folklore on Speculative Fiction
How do myths, legends, and folklore inspire modern sci-fi and fantasy? Panelists discuss the timeless stories that shaped the genre.
Moderator: Pigeon
Panelists: Jeff Provine, Madilynn Dale, Mark Alfred, J.H. Fleming, Pigeon
6:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Manga vs. Western Comics: A Tale of Two Mediums
What makes manga distinct from Western comics, and why do readers gravitate toward one over the other? Dive into the cultural and artistic differences between these two storytelling traditions and how they continue to influence one another.
Moderator: Jeff Provine
Panelists: Jeff Provine, Red Bard, Joshua Caudill, Ogawa Burukku
8:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room
Oklahoma's Eerie Secrets: Urban Legends & Ghost Stories
Oklahoma has a rich history of strange happenings, from haunted sites to paranormal encounters. In this panel, we'll recount the eerie tales that define the state's urban legends, and invite you to share your own unsettling stories.
Moderator: Jeff Provine
Panelists: Charles Dane Clark, Britt Alfred, Jeff Provine, Joshua Trope, Tommy B. Smith
2:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Drawing the Future: Sci-Fi and Fantasy in Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are a fantastic medium for exploring speculative worlds. Join creators and fans to discuss how comics tackle sci-fi and fantasy themes and how visuals enhance these stories.
Moderator: Mike Kennedy
Panelists: Mike Kennedy, Jeff Provine, Tim Frayser, Matthew Price
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
The Future of Work: Automation, AI, and Universal Basic Income
As automation and artificial intelligence continue to transform industries, what happens to the concept of work in the future? Could jobs as we know them become obsolete, and if so, what does that mean for the economy and social structures? This panel will explore the potential for a future society where robots handle the mundane and humans are freed to pursue creative, intellectual, or leisure-based endeavors. Will Universal Basic Income be the solution, or will society find itself in a new kind of class struggle?
Moderator: Stephen Patrick
Panelists: Tim Chessmore, Jeff Provine, Stephen Patrick, Mel. White, Aislinn Burrows