The basic tenet of biology is reproduction to continue the species. Evolution and genetics has programmed every species' to follow behaviors to ensure the next generation. This genetic programming influences the mating game between the sexes in those species even in "higher" cognitive species such as humans. The interplay between conscious and subconscious driven behaviors is increasingly […]

The Future is Now In a daily fog of uncertainty, we may lose track of transformational changes just over the horizon. So where are we headed? Some of the world’s smartest people in government, social research, academia, business, economics, science, and other fields have looked 20 years into the future and seen a time of […]

The ancient Greeks were instrumental in developing fundamental concepts in a wide range of science and math disciplines such as Palaeontology, Geometry, Medicine, Astronomy, and Physics. I am by no means an expert on this topic but will present what I know in voice and participants are free to share their knowledge on this topic […]

Deep Learning In 2021 I had the opportunity to give a presentation on computer vision and bias in artificial intelligence. I touched on a subset of AI methods termed "Deep learning". In this presentation I hope to discuss the principles and utility of these methods, share some of my experiences in learning about and applying […]

In a daily fog of uncertainty, we may lose track of transformational changes just over the horizon. So where are we headed? Some of the world’s smartest people in government, social research, academia, business, economics, science, and other fields have looked 20 years into the future and seen a time of abundance and shared opportunities. […]

Events or discoveries that inspire your love for Science   "Beautiful, beautiful. Magnificent desolation." -NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin as he followed Armstrong onto the moon's surface “Every brilliant experiment, like every great work of art, starts with an act of imagination.” -Jonah Lehrer       Non-members only need to register once. Is this the […]

The James Webb Space Telescope: A Summary I briefly review the science mission of the JWST and discuss its potential discoveries. I do this in the context of the discoveries of Webb's predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. - W. F. Wall / Syzygy Asymptote   Dr. William Wall Previous work in the Library Previous presentations […]

By NASA's James Webb Space Telescope   From arrival at the ESA launch Facility in Kourou French Guiana, through launch and deployment, the pages linked here are your starting point for exploring Webb’s launch and commissioning. James Webb SPACE TELESCOPE   The Insane Engineering of James Webb Telescope   A discussion hosted by Matt Burr […]

Organic Chem Basics: Diels-Alder and similar reactions The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Dr. Benjamin List (Max PLack Institute)  and Dr. David MacMillam (Princeton University) for "the development of asymmetric organocatalysis." One of the first reactions that they found could be catalyzed by purely organic compounds was the Diels-Alder reaction. The Diels-Alder […]

Every year there are new advances in genome engineering enabled by CRISPR/Cas editing systems. In this talk, the most important and interesting news in CRISPR-based gene editing from 2021 will be presented. Come learn about Technology Advances, New Tools, Intellectual Property, and Target Genes and Modified Organisms from a practitioner in the field. This year's emphasis will […]

Science Communication in, or in preparation for a pandemic Mitigating the damage of the COVID-19 pandemic has been hugely dependent on society’s adoption of personal protective measures to curb the spread of the virus. Misinformation has also been cited as a threat to the employment of countermeasures like vaccines. To what extent is the public […]

With the recent conclusion of VWBPE 2022 in SL, let’s share our thoughts and experiences of education in different countries. Share your experience of education in your native country or in countries where you attended school. What are academics saying about methods and approaches? What do studies show? How do different countries cope with shortages […]

Does our technology connect us more, or isolate us more? "Loneliness is different than isolation and solitude. Loneliness is a subjective feeling where the connections we need are greater than the connections we have. In the gap, we experience loneliness. It's distinct from the objective state of isolation, which is determined by the number of […]