Science Circle

Follow the Food
2022-07-23 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-07-30 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-06 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-13 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Auditorium

Classical Concert
2022-07-24 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-07-31 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-07 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-14 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-21 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-08-28 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-09-04 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-09-11 07:00 - 08:00 and 3 more dates | The Lighthouse Café

How Will I Live? The Sociology of Providing for Others
2022-09-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) defined a hierarchy of needs that motivate human behavior. The most basic of needs are associated with survival, namely those that answer the question, “How Will I Live?” These basic needs include breathing, eating and drinking, finding shelter, clothing, and warmth, sex, and sleep. Once these are met, there are safety needs, including security, order, law, stability, and freedom from fear.
Considering the importance to each individual of gaining access to the resources needed to achieve these needs, it is small wonder that leaders of societies have developed a variety of ways to control these resources and thereby control members of their society. Bear in mind then that “providing for others” can have both positive and negative connotations for those being provided access to necessary resources.
In this presentation and discussion, we will explore the sociology, that is the social behavior, interactions, and relationships, associated with the control of these resources, including the institutions of
—land ownership
—employment
—marriage
—expanded families and population control
—gangs
—nursing homes and other social institutions
—social services such as the military and religious orders
—political systems such as totalitarianism, aristocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, colonialism, a republic or democracy, socialism, and communism
—restricting privileges like travel and voting
—liberty
—patronage
—feudalism
—slavery
—nomadic and hunter-gatherer cultures
—[Have I missed one?]

Covering the entire scope of this topic is a tall order for the single hour we will be together, but I hope the presentation and discussion will spark your interest in exploring this further.

Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

Dr. Phil Youngblood

Previous lectures on film

Podcast

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LIVE: Artemis I Moon Mission Launch
2022-09-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Auditorium
NASA is targeting 2:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 3, for the launch of Artemis I, the first integrated test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and the ground systems at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There is a two-hour launch window for the next attempt.
The Artemis I flight test is an uncrewed mission around the Moon that will pave the way for a crewed flight test and future human lunar exploration as part of Artemis.

The Webb Telescope
2022-09-03 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Cabin
The Webb Telescope
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has peered into the chaos of the Cartwheel Galaxy, revealing new details about star formation and the galaxy’s central black hole. Webb’s powerful infrared gaze produced this detailed image of the Cartwheel and two smaller companion galaxies against a backdrop of many other galaxies. This image provides a new view of how the Cartwheel Galaxy has changed over billions of years.
Next steps
The observatory has a packed schedule of science programs looking at all kinds of cosmic phenomena, like planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, and more. Webb will revolutionize our understanding of the universe — but first, researchers need time to analyze data and make sure that they understand what they’re seeing.
What are your expectations of this revolutionary telescope? What questions could we start answering? Which photo appeals to you the most?

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BB: Alzheimer's and Scientific Integrity
2022-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
For years the leading theory for the development of Alzheimer’s therapies has been the amyloid plaque theory. However, all the amyloid therapeutics that have been tried, failed. This has been confusing. Recently, it was reported that the data for the amyloid plaque theory were probably falsified. Join us to discuss where Alzheimer’s research should go now and the implications of a lost decade of research due to flawed science and possible malfeasance.
Alzheimer’s study controversy: What does it mean for future research?
What an Alzheimer’s Controversy Reveals About the Pressures of Academia (possible paywall)
At an international meeting, Alzheimer’s researchers are assessing what comes next
Shocking SCIENTIFIC FRAUD allegations against major medical research

A discussion hosted by Matt Burr at the Light house Cafe

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Dealing with Climate Change
2022-09-10 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Cabin
Dealing with Climate Change
Vital Signs of the Planet
Today, with an international and knowledgeable audience, we call on your experiences with climate change. What was the climate before 2000 and what is it like today? What changes does nature show, is flora and fauna changing? Are there excesses and how do you and your government deal with them?
What do you do yourself to reduce your footprint?

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Transcultural Beats
2022-09-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
There may be many means to bridge and calm cultural differences — beyond transcultural themes and images. This presentation considers how musical rhythms can strike a common beat among multi-cultured gatherings. Sample audio clips demonstrate 20 years of observable rhythmic resonance in culturally-diverse international classrooms.

Presenter: Steven R. Van Hook has a doctorate specializing in transcultural teaching. He is an educator for international communication and business programs at UCLA, UCSB, National University, and elsewhere. He develops virtual world learning, and his research has been published by SAGE and UNESCO journals.
WorldWide Multicultural Research

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Second Life #Metoo
2022-09-17 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Cabin
There are no #metoo high profile cases in SL as far as we know, but as Ayesha Lytton put it in her commentary under a “New World Notes” article, the threshold seems to be even lower in SL than in the physical world.
How are your experiences in Second Life? Are you a woman in both worlds or a man who uses a female avatar? What happened to you so far and how do you deal with it? Or do you perhaps feel safer in Second Life than in the physical world? Are you a man who has ever used a female avatar, what was your experience like? Did it perhaps give you insights?

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging: MRI
2022-09-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: MRI
Where did it come from?
How does it work?
What’s that loud banging noise?

How did we get from the image on the left to the one on the right?

The great progenitor of MRI is NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). The phenomenon of magnetic resonance was initially discovered by physicists, after which chemists turned the basic science into NMR, an essential tool for probing the structure and dynamics of molecules. In a classic story of how science works, physicists, chemists, and physicians are all responsible for the initial and continuing development of MRI, and the story of these connections provides a classic glimpse of how science works and of the occasional controversies associated with Nobel Prizes.
This presentation describes the path from molecular beams studied in vacuum to probe fundamental properties of matter all the way to the widespread use of non-invasive MRI to diagnose an impressive range of medical conditions. In addition, on the research front we’ll look at the use of MRI to pursue the tantalizing question of ‘what is thought.’ Along the way we’ll also talk about why the scanner makes a banging noise that many who have experienced liken to a jackhammer.

Presentation by Natalie Foster // Prof. Emerita: Chemistry Dept. // Lehigh University

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Transcultural Beats
2022-09-24 21:00 - 22:00 | Auditorium
Transcultural Beats: Rhythms of the world that rock across cultures
There may be many means to bridge and calm cultural differences — beyond transcultural themes and images. This presentation considers how musical rhythms can strike a common beat among multi-cultured gatherings. Sample audio clips demonstrate 20 years of observable rhythmic resonance in culturally-diverse international classrooms.
Steven R. Van Hook has a doctorate specializing in transcultural teaching. He is an educator for international communication and business programs at UCLA, UCSB, National University, and elsewhere. He develops virtual world learning, and his research has been published by SAGE and UNESCO journals.
http://wwmr.us

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
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Howling at the Moon
2022-10-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

Howling at the Moon: Our Relationship with Earth’s Nearest Neighbor in Space
For thousands of years, the moon dominated our night, just as the sun does the day. For nearly all life on Earth, it still does.
As humans evolved, the moon played a significant role in the way we learned to observe seasonal events and planned hunting and gathering activities. As humans developed civilization, the moon helped us to shape our concept of time and plan agricultural activities. Throughout human history, the moon has influenced activities ranging from art to war. How so?
The Earth’s moon presence or absence is nearly impossible to ignore if you go outside at night. Throughout human history, it was been the subject of imaginative stories, poems, songs, and myths. We gazed at the moon with our naked eye for millennia, then with enhanced optical instruments and with other detectors over the last century. What did we see?
The moon sometimes seems so close that we can touch it! We do not know when the first human imagined going to the moon, but we know when technology made it possible. Many nations have developed programs to visit the moon and several have succeeded. What did we find?
Returning humans to the moon after a fifty year absence has become part of the news in the last decade. How might we do this and why?
Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

Dr. Phil Youngblood

Previous lectures on film

Podcast

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
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Live from the Moon!
2022-10-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Auditorium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!
Live images from the Swiss Alps on the Moon
By Star Kass

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

International Space Museum
2022-10-01 20:00 - 20:50 | International Space Museum
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

International Space Museum

Come to our real time tour of a premier virtual world sim, the International Space Flight Museum. All science, and of course, rockets too. Two of our rockets, the Space Shuttle and SpaceX Dragon, will take you for a ride up to the international space station! And back down to terra firma, your choice of runway or a parachute splashdown. All fun aside, this is a serious science based museum and there is lots to learn!

Take this LM for a spectacular view from the top of the NASA construction building on Spaceport Bravo of both the Spaceport Alpha and JCL sims.
Please set your view distance to 500M or more.
And we will meet you here.

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Luna: The Earth’s Moon
2022-10-01 21:00 - 22:00 | Auditorium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

Luna: The Earth’s Moon
The moon has influenced, and continues to influence, the Earth and everything and everyone on it. The lunar mass and lunar orbit have moderated Earth’s seasons and produce daily tides that affect sea-life and human-life. The phases of the moon provide varying degrees of nocturnal illumination affecting flora and fauna, as well as inspiring literature and romance among human beings. Solar and lunar eclipses have both frightened and exhilarated many. I will discuss the various celestial motions responsible for these phenomena and the moon’s role in the future of humanity.
Dr. William Wall

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
2022-10-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Prospero’s Planetarium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
We have focused on the Earth’s moon this week. Our nearest neighbor dominates the sky at night when it is visible where we live, just as the sun, our nearest star, does during the day. Both are objects of wonder and subjects of much science, stories, legends, music, and poetry. While Earth’s moon is special to us, it is only one of 210 known moons in the solar system. While Earth’s star makes life possible on our planet, it is only one of roughly 5000 stars we can see from Earth.
What else is out there in the sky around us that we can see when the sun and moon are not visible where we are? Let’s explore the myriad of objects that form the community that make up our solar system and our local region of the Milky Way. What science have we learned about them? How has looking up at the stark contrast of these bright, untouchable objects standing out like immutable beacons against the blackness of space inspired humans over the ages to create stories, legends, legends, music, and poetry about them?
During this show, together we will—
—Look and learn about the most prominent constellations, the brightest stars, the planets visible at that time, and other objects we can see in the sky then.
—Examine the DART mission to the moonlet of an asteroid passing by the Earth and its significance
—Learn about missions to other moons in the solar system and the potential for significant discoveries there

NOTE: This show is in Prospero’s Planetarium, inside the big mountain on the north side of Science Circle island – use the red teleporter near the big sign to enter.

Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

Dr. Phil Youngblood

Previous lectures on film

Podcast

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Paranormal: Ghosts, Cryptids, Ancient Aliens, Superpowers, Time Travel. Best Practices for Debunking
2022-10-08 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
It’s spooky season. A good time to talk about the paranormal. Ghosts, cryptids, ancient aliens, superpowers, time travel and the like. Pseudoscience is often invoked to argue that such things are real. Usually all in good fun but not without the danger of people believing junk. Please join us to talk about best practices for debunking junk.

Resources
Debunking Robert Sepehr (junk anthropology)
Debunking the Baghdad battery
Milo’s collection of TikTok Shorts debunking pseudoscience
The worst ghost hunting reality show ever, explained
Enjoy Joe Rogan discussing time travel with his sidekick

A discussion hosted by Matt Burr at the Light house Cafe

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
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