Science Circle

Pathfinder's Office Hours
2020-06-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pathfinder’s Place
Pathfinder’s Office Hours at the Science Circle

Are you interested in immersive learning, art and education in virtual worlds?
Want to join an engaging discussion with a roundtable of friendly people?
If so, please join us at my weekly Office Hour at the Science Circle in Second Life.
Hope to see you there!

Sustainable Energy Science Lab
2020-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Sustainable Energy Science Lab
Solar Sierra and Windy Schor represent EnergyTeachers.org in Second Life, building virtual objects for exploring real-life technologies, and holding meetings and discussions between educators and interested people.
Windy uses the somewhat realistic wind that blows through Second Life regions to develop methods for gathering statistics about wind, and for modeling wind power systems.
Solar builds models of solar cookers, heliostats, daylighting, and photovoltaic systems.
Windy and Solar hope to offer EnergyTeachers.org’s Green Dollhouse Challenge in Second Life. The Green Dollhouse Challenge is an event where a jury of building professionals and educators judge models of sustainable buildings on their merits rather than competitively.
Windy and Solar will offer a tour of our Sustainable Energy Science Lab in Second Life on Etopia Island
We’ll look at ways scripting objects in Second Life models the way light, wind, and water work for us, and how data-visualization exposes the ways experts and the public can analyze these resources and turn understanding into fun and practical technologies from power to cooking to art to architecture.
Tour led by Shawn Reeves

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The Equivalence Theorem
2020-06-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
The Cantor Bernstein Schröder Theorem of Set Theory

The EQUIVALENCE THEOREM (a.k.a. Bernstein-Schröder Theorem)
Modern set theory originated between 1874 – 1884 from the researches of Georg Cantor at Universität Halle, Germany. Around 1895, Cantor presented the EQUIVALENCE CONJECTURE:
Given sets A and B,
if A is equivalent to a subset of B
and B equivalent to a subset of A,
then A is equivalent to B.

While this may seem obvious to many, it was not until 1898 that Cantor’s student, Felix Bernstein proved the theorem without flaw.
In this presentation we will review relevant concepts of set theory: types of mappings of sets and their behaviour when sets are combined by union, intersection and difference (relative complement); sizes of sets and equivalence; partitions of sets; special attention will be given to properties of chains of sets (nested subsets).
Then we will demonstrate two approaches for proof of the Equivalence Theorem (the Cantor-Bernstein-Schröder Theorem): 1) à la Bernstein: 2) a stream-lined proof for contrast based on defining a bijective function (1-to-1 from A onto B).
Interesting examples of applications of this theorem will be given that give insight to distinct “DEGREES OF INFINITY”.

Relevant background for this is basic set theory, high school-level mathematics and a normal, human logic.
The goal of this is to help members of the audience understand the strategy of attack in the subtle proof of this important mathematical theorem whose statement is so deceptively simple. Secondarily, this instruction illuminates aspects of how one learns mathematics.

Robert A. Hendrix, M.D.
Previous presentations in the Film Collection
Previous work in the Library

Podcast Global Outbreak of Fatty Liver Disease

Podcast Doctor’s Tips for Healthier Mind and Body

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Science Fair 2020
2020-06-27 07:00 - 10:30 | Science Circle region
It is that time again!
The annual Science Fair will take place this year on Saturday, June 27 from 7 AM to 10:30 AM PDT.
This year all curators of an exhibition in the region welcome us at their own work.
For those without a permanent display in the region, pergolas are situated around a mountain.

During a joint teleport, hovering, flying, and walking event with Matthew Burr across the region, we will discover the work of 13 Science Circle members

Schedule
First tour 7-8 AM PDT
SC members present their work

Science Café 8-9 AM
with Earl Kiech on piano

Second tour 9-10:30 AM
SC members present their work

Participants
Subject
Time
Exhibit or Pergola

1
Mike Shaw
Chemistry
7 AM
Sky exhibit

2
Fumon Crystal
Fukushima
7:10
Sky exhibit

3
Deepthinker Oh
Mathematics & Hypothesis
7:20
Exhibit

4
David Hubbard
Neurology “Brodmann’s brain”
7:30
Exhibit

5
Stephen Gasior
Genetics
7:40
Exhibit

6

Linda M. Kelley

Temperate Coastal and marine ecosystems
(New England)
7:50
Exhibit

Earl Kiech
Piano interlude at the Café
8 AM
Lighthouse

7
Phil Youngblood

Covid-19
9 AM
Exhibit

8
James Woods
Astrobiology
9:10
Pergola

9
Mary Anne Clark
Biology
9:20
Pergola

10
Giuseppe Longo
Data Science
9:30
Pergola

11
Lynne Berrett
Whole Brain Health
9:40
Pergola

12
Edgar Altamirano
CERV
9:50
Pergola

13
Bill Harp
Anthropology
10 AM
Pergola

14
Phil Youngblood
Evolution
10:10
Exhibit

15

Linda M. Kelley

Tropical Coastal and marine ecosystems
(Mauritius)
10:20
Exhibit

Science Cafe
2020-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
In the months of July and August, our weekly presentation hour is replaced by the Science Cafe.
Text chat conversations
Subject selected by means of a Poll on the calendar page of our website

This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of preferred conversation topics for the Science Cafe todayWhy is teaching Math’s so hard?Our Societies After CoronaUnexplained aerial phenomenon Are developed countries on the eve of their downfall?Chemophobia: Why should I trust something I can't pronounce? When will the consequences of climate change become severe enough to force major change? Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof Population growth: What will slow it? Life outside the Earth The future of the higher education The next or ideal 3D world How do we improve science communication in the social media era? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about large, presumably temporary, decreases in carbon emissions worldwide. Can we make those decreases permanent? How would we do that? Can we make other permanent improvements to the Earth's ecosystems thanks to the pandemic? What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 60% of animal species have been wiped out by humanity since 1970. What can/should we do to preserve what's left? Should/Can we de-extinct those species, for example? What influences the evolution of languages? Plastic debris is found everywhere on the planet. How do we clean up and ecologically dispose of that debris? How do we keep plastics under control? 28 votesVote

Sunday Concerts
2020-07-05 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
Weekly piano concerts by Earl Kiech at the lighthouse cafe.
Wake up quietly, start your afternoon relaxed or take a seat in a comfortable armchair to end your day with us. No matter what time zone you are in, Earl’s music balances a stressful week at any time of the day.

Memory Lane
2020-07-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Auditorium
During a new series of events called Memory Lane, we watch a YouTube from the past together.
This first episode is dedicated to Paul Doherty – Patio Plasma, one of our founders, whose birthday was July 7.

This poll is no longer accepting votes For a shared viewing today, select one of the available YouTubes below.Pluto on Ice, March 2016Rosetta, May 2016Lightning, June 2016The Science of Nail Polish, October 2016"And Then You're Dead", May 2017Gravity, June 201716 votesVote

Science Cafe
2020-07-11 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. Life outside the Earth 2. Our Societies After Corona3. The next or ideal 3D world 4. Why is teaching Math’s so hard?5. Unexplained aerial phenomenon 6. Climate change is here. What next? 7. The future of the higher education 8. Population growth: What will slow it? 9. What influences the evolution of languages? 10. Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time 11. How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof 12. How do we improve science communication in the social media era? 13. What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 14. As robots become more human, more intelligent, more capable, and even, perhaps, more emotional, how do we treat them? Do we give them rights? What precautions should we take?9 votes · 25 answersVote

Sunday Concert 2
2020-07-12 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Follow the Food
2020-07-18 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
Follow the Food is a BBC documentary sponsored by one of the big Three agriculture companies, Corteva Agrisciences. It covers the current food chain, challenges to feeding the world, and new technologies in world agriculture. Come watch Season 1 over 6 weeks from July 11th through August 22nd with a Q&A after each one with a Corteva Agrisciences Scientist.

Science Cafe
2020-07-18 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. How do we improve science communication in the social media era? 2. Unexplained aerial phenomenon 3. Climate change is here. What next? 4. Teaching in a room full of creationists 5. Have we entered a post Kuhnian phase of science? 6. Why college are slow to adopt VW and VR 7. What influences the evolution of languages? 8. The future of the higher education 9. Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time 10. What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 12 votes · 28 answersVote

Sunday Concert 3
2020-07-19 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Follow the Food 2
2020-07-25 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium

Science Cafe
2020-07-25 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. How do we improve science communication in the social media era? 2. How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof 3. Why do we have such difficulty understanding probabilities? 4. The next or ideal 3D world 5. Climate change is here. What next? 6. Why is teaching Math’s so hard? 7. Teaching in a room full of creationists 8. Population growth: What will slow it? 9. Have we entered a post Kuhnian phase of science? 10. The future of the higher education 12 votes · 32 answersVote

Sunday Concert 4
2020-07-26 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Follow the Food 3
2020-08-01 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
Follow the Food is a BBC documentary sponsored by one of the big Three agriculture companies, Corteva Agrisciences. It covers the current food chain, challenges to feeding the world, and new technologies in world agriculture. Come watch Season 1 over 4 weeks from July 11th through August 8th with a Q&A after each one with a Corteva Agrisciences Scientist.

Science Cafe
2020-08-01 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time 2. How do we improve science communication in the social media era? 3. What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 4. How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof 5. Why do we have such difficulty understanding probabilities? 6. The next or ideal 3D world 7. Why is teaching Math’s so hard? 8. Our societies after Corona9. Population growth: What will slow it? 10. Have we entered a post Kuhnian phase of science? 9 votes · 21 answersVote

Sunday Concert
2020-08-02 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-08-09 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-08-16 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-08-23 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-08-30 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-09-06 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-09-13 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Follow the Food
2020-08-08 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
Follow the Food is a BBC documentary sponsored by one of the big Three agriculture companies, Corteva Agrisciences. It covers the current food chain, challenges to feeding the world, and new technologies in world agriculture. Come watch Season 1 over 4 weeks from July 11th through August 8 with a Q&A after each one with a Corteva Agrisciences Scientist.

Science Cafe
2020-08-08 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof 2. Climate change is here. What next? 3. Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time 4. What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 5. Why do we have such difficulty understanding probabilities? 6. The next or ideal 3D world 7. Why is teaching Math’s so hard? 8. Unexplained aerial phenomenon 9. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about large, presumably temporary, decreases in carbon emissions worldwide. Can we make those decreases permanent? How would we do that? Can we make other permanent improvements to the Earth's ecosystems thanks to the pandemic? 10. As robots become more human, more intelligent, more capable, and even, perhaps, more emotional, how do we treat them? Do we give them rights? What precautions should we take? 6 votes · 14 answersVote

Science Cafe
2020-08-15 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
This poll is no longer accepting votes Your three votes of favorite conversation topics for the Science Cafe today1. 60% of animal species have been wiped out by humanity since 1970. What can/should we do to preserve what's left? Should/Can we de-extinct those species, for example? 2. How to think like a scientist, and the value thereof 3. Climate change is here. What next? 4. Big Data and AI: the two heads Janus of our time 5. What is the best way to deal with those blinded by the Dunning-Kruger effect? 6. Why do we have such difficulty understanding probabilities? 7. The next or ideal 3D world 8. Why is teaching Math’s so hard? 9. Unexplained aerial phenomenon 10. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about large, presumably temporary, decreases in carbon emissions worldwide. Can we make those decreases permanent? How would we do that? Can we make other permanent improvements to the Earth's ecosystems thanks to the pandemic? 14 votes · 30 answersVote

Mola Art and Aesthetics among the Guna People
2020-09-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Photo: Visit centro America
Mola Art and Aesthetics Among the Guna People
Unique Native American Art from Panama

The Guna, a native American culture from the lowland tropics of eastern Panama, are caretakers of one of the most extensive remaining rain forests in Panama. Guna women have, for many years, sewed molas, multilayer reverse appliqué cloth panels for their blouses. Guna mola textile art is breathtakingly beautiful.

This talk presents the visual power of mola art as one of the most evocative and transcendent indigenous art forms. The Guna women’s ability to transform any visual image that she may come in contact with into iconic art that can be worn as blouse panels represent a personal statement of a highly evolved and sophisticated visual aesthetic. The mola tells endless stories of life … whether they be traditional myths, shimmering geometric designs, natural motifs of plants and animals of the ocean, sky or rain forest or designs derived from commercial advertisements or television.

The Guna have conscientiously adopted certain aspects of western culture while successfully maintaining much of traditional culture and beliefs. The talk briefly discusses how this strategy has conserved mola art that is very much alive and well today in a contemporary world where many authentic indigenous art forms have unfortunately been lost. Even the casual observer cannot help but be impressed with the incredible range of the human imagination represented by the Guna woman’s unique and vibrant aesthetic representation of their world.

By Bill Harp, Cultural Anthropologist, Coclé, Republic of Panama
Bill is a technologist, cultural anthropologist and a geospatial analyst who has worked as a cultural anthropologist in Panama. During his time in Panama he conducted research among the Emberá people in eastern Panama and subsequently earned his MA in Anthropology from the University of Oregon where he specialized in the ecology and cosmology of tropical lowland, indigenous cultures of the new world.
Bill and his wife, Susan, alternate between their country homesteads in Coclé, Panama and North Idaho where they maintain subsistence gardens and orchards.

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Biology and Racism
2020-09-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Rarely explored in conversations about race are the actual biological underpinnings of differences in skin color, eye color, hair, etc. This talk will explore the genetics and physiology of what creates these differences in appearance. And when possible, discuss the origins and “why’s” of these genes. Further discussion on concepts of “race” and population genetics will cover the history of human groups and how scientists try to grapple with the understanding of genetic heritage over time and geography. Finally, a commentary on what biology tells us about racism will close the presentation.
Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior

Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

Reference work in the library

Previous lectures on film

Podcasts

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Horse-hunting Crocodiles of Ancient Germany
2020-09-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
About 45 million years ago, Germany was part of a warm subtropical set of islands, teeming with life. In this warm, greenhouse environment reptiles were enormously successful, reaching larger body sizes than mammals and pushing into new ecological roles. Explore the fascinating environment known as Geisletal with Dr. Alex Hastings as he presents some of his research from his fellowship at Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany.

Dr. Alexander Hastings

Reference work in the library

Previous lectures on film

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