2008 - 2009 Series
Mistakes were Made (but not by me)
Thursday, September 18th, 7:30 pm, Atherton Union Reilly
Room
Elliot Aronson, named one of the 100 most
eminent psychologists of the 20th century, Elliot Aronson is
Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of California,
Santa Cruz. He is best known for his work on cognitive dissonance
and cooperative learning. His books include Nobody Left to Hate:
Teaching Compassion after Columbine and The Jigsaw Classroom:
Building Cooperation in the Classroom. His latest book, Mistakes
Were Made (but not by me): Why we Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad
Decisions, and Hurtful Acts, will be the focus of his talk.
A Naturalist and Other Beasts
Tuesday, September 30th, 7:30 pm, Atherton Union Reilly
Room
George B. Schaller, relentless in his
efforts to save endangered species across the globe since 1952, the
renowned field biologist George B. Schaller has been named the 2008
recipient of the Indianapolis Prize, the world's leading award for
animal conservation. Schaller will share his experiences traveling
back to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after 50 years, his
current research in the Tibetan Plateau, and his groundbreaking
research in Rwanda with mountain gorillas. Schaller is Senior
Conservationist for the Wildlife Conservation Society and has
written more than 220 popular and scientific articles and 16 books.
His lecture is cosponsored by the Indianapolis Zoo.
Ancient Fossil Hunters: The Griffin and the Monster of
Troy
Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:30 pm, Atherton Union Reilly
Room
Adrienne Mayor, a folklorist and historian
of ancient science, investigates natural knowledge embedded in
ancient mythology. Her books include The First Fossil Hunters:
Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times, Fossil Legends of the First
Americans, and Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs.
Mayor's work has been featured on the History and Discovery
channels. Her lecture will discuss how the discovery of ancient
fossils influenced the myths of Greek and Roman antiquity.
Secret Lights in the Sea
Wednesday, March 4th, 7:30 pm, Atherton Union Reilly Room
Biologist and deep-sea explorer Edith
Widder combines her expertise in research and
technological innovation with a commitment to reversing the
worldwide trend of degradation in our marine environment. Widder, a
recent MacArthur Fellow, is president of the Ocean Research &
Conservation Association. A key effort of the Association is the
development of state-of-the-art sensors and technological systems
for evaluating water quality and ecosystem health. While
translating complex scientific issues into workable solutions, Dr.
Widder is fostering greater understanding of ocean life as a means
to better, more informed ocean stewardship. A specialist in
bioluminescence, she has been a leader in helping to design and
invent new for the observation of deep-sea environments.
Search for the Chimera
Monday, April 6th, 7:30 pm, Atherton Union Reilly Room
James
Randi is an acclaimed magician, escape artist, and 1986
MacArthur Fellow who has devoted his life to debunking claims of
pseudo-science and the paranormal. Perhaps best known for his
debunking of Uri Geller's claims of psychic powers, Randi has
turned his skeptical eye toward everything from UFOs to faith
healers. In his lecture, Randi will discuss examples of
pseudo-scientific claims (from UFOs to the Bermuda triangle), and
will show how ordinary people and even many scientists have been
fooled. Mr. Randi is founder of the James Randi Educational
Foundation, an institution that seeks to educate the public about
claims of the supernatural and paranormal.