Am i correct that we are experimenting here with a new form of scholarly collaboration leading to a scheduled conference?  If that is true, then is our discussion here likely to at some point divide into multiple streams (flows, threads, whatever) each of which leading to a paper proposal with multiple authors?  If yes, then how do we manage both the "river" and the flows within it?  How do we make decisions about inclusions for multiple authorships of proposed papers?  On another page here i have already sketched out the direction i would like to go with a paper but i do not have the range of abilities necessary to implement a paper proposal going in that direction.  How can i as a participant stake my interest in a possible paper proposal with a particular theme/approach and "advertise" for others who may be interested who bring needed skills and interests with them to the effort?