Neurobiology of Language Conference 2009 -- A.K.A., Throwdown in Chicago

The organizers of the first Neurobiology of Language Conference (NLC) have included two "panel discussions" that focus on current debates in the neuroscience of language. I was in Steve Small's lab in Chicago when these sessions were being planned and I can tell you that "throwdown sessions" was closer to the intent than panel discussions :-). Anyway, the sessions pit two vocal scientists on either side of a debate in the field; each gets a few minutes to make their case and then the floor is open for "discussion".

Throwdown #1: The Battle for Broca’s Area (see I told you throwdown is a better word!)
In one corner Yosef Grodzinsky, in the other corner Peter Hagoort

Throwdown #2: Motor Contribution to Speech Perception
In one corner Luciano Fadiga, in the other corner Greg Hickok

The contestants all have a history of public debate on these topics in the form of published commentaries and responses on each other's work. Should be interesting.