Category: Speaker

Category to indicate a forum is a single speaker.

Confronting Population Denial Amid Unraveling Crises

Nandita Bajaj

11 a.m., October 19, 2025

Join us, either in person or online, as Nandita Bajaj also joins us over Zoom.

Human population has doubled in the last 50 years, growing from approximately four billion in 1970 to eight billion currently. There is rising public awareness that overpopulation and rampant overconsumption are driving climate change, resource scarcity, and biodiversity collapse, yet it is a challenging issue to discuss. In this talk, Ms. Bajaj will discuss the pervasive influence of growthism, pronatalism, and human supremacy as drivers of population growth, as well as reproductive and ecological injustice, and the implications of the silencing of this discourse on the most vulnerable – nature, people, and animals.

Nandita Bajaj is executive director of the nongovernmental organization Population Balance, senior lecturer at Antioch University, and producer and host of the podcasts OVERSHOOT and Beyond Pronatalism. Her research and advocacy work focuses on the combined impacts of pronatalism and human expansionism on reproductive, ecological and intergenerational justice.

10/19/25 Confronting Population Denial Amid Unraveling Crises from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Attend in Person:
Join fellow Humanists in the Old Mill Clubhouse, 49 Showers Dr, Mountain View, CA 94040. Lunch will be served after the forum. We request a $10 donation.

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

Join the meeting by phone: +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
Find an international phone number to call: here.

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
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Add this event to your Google calendar: Google Calendar

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-10-19/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/311484352/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20251019/29c59022-8619-45c7-89b6-9cf152045b33/confronting-population-denial-amid-unraveling-crises

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1976828407167230226

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

From Bridge Building to Ballot Box: A Plan to Save Our Democracy

Nick Fish

7 p.m., October 7, 2025

Join us, either in person or online, as the Atheist Community of San Jose (ACSJ) and the Humanist Community welcome Nick Fish, President of American Atheists.

To confront the rising tide of religious nationalism threatening American democracy, Nick will challenge us to engage in a multi-faceted approach to defend liberty, equality, and the separation of church and state. Drawing on lessons from the Civil Rights Movement and the nation’s founding, this moment demands bold action from all of us who believe in a pluralistic, inclusive future.

As president of American Atheists, Nick leads efforts to defend the separation of religion and government and advance equality for atheists and nonreligious Americans.

Since joining the organization in 2012, he has directed advocacy, grassroots organizing, and public policy initiatives, and was appointed president in 2018. A frequent commentator in national media, Nick speaks on issues of secularism, religious nationalism, and the rights of nonreligious people.

Learn more about American Atheists at atheists.org, on Instagram (@AmericanAtheists), and on Bluesky (@atheists.org). You can also follow Nick on Bluesky (@nickfish.me).

10/07/25 From Bridge Building to Ballot Box: A Plan to Save Our Democracy from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Attend in Person:
Join fellow Atheists and Humanists in the Mary Campbell Room of the Campbell Community Center, 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008.

Also, we will host this event on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

Join the meeting by phone: +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
Find an international phone number to call: here.

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar: Google Calendar

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-10-07/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/311145855/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20251007/0dfeb989-9017-45f7-9da2-ee9d5958a99c/from-bridge-building-to-ballot-box-a-plan-to-save-our-democracy

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1969618795565367562

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

Share our event on Patch: https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250914/65517ab3-814e-4434-9d14-6bdb9641c4b1/the-tipping-points-of-climate-change-and-where-we-stand

Dick Hewetson Celebration of Life

Dick Hewetson

1:30 p.m., September 6, 2025

Our friend Dick Hewetson died on July 19 at the age of 95 after a long and purposeful life. We will be celebrating his life Saturday afternoon September 6 at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose, California. You may join this celebration in person or on Zoom.

Dick was born in a Chicago suburb in 1930. Dick was raised Christian, and was an Episcopal priest in his early adult years, but he never believed what he was trying to preach. At age 42, he came out of the closet as a gay man. Dick and his then-partner had reached the conclusion that the greatest enemy of LGBTQ-plus people was religion.

Dick joined the Freedom from Religion Foundation in 1978, soon after FFRF was founded by Anne Gaylor and her daughter Annie Laurie Gaylor. Dick Hewetson has been an FFRF member for over 45 years. He has been a leader for atheist rights all this time.

Dick also promoted LGBTQ+ rights in the labor union movement in Minnesota, and founded an LGBTQ+ library there. He has furthered gay rights for over half a century. After Dick left the ministry, he worked for the State of Minnesota Employment Division, helping to locate jobs for recent immigrants.

Dick Hewetson chose the day and time of his own death, and carried out his dying process with the aid of California law, with physician assistance and Hospice assistance. That day Dick was surrounded with a small group of his friends and relatives to celebrate his last day of life.

We encourage you to share your memories of Dick Hewetson with the rest of us in attendance at this Celebration of Life.
For folks planning to speak briefly (in person or via Zoom) please email Dick’s friend and our Master of Ceremonies Jim at [jimvanbuskirk@sbcglobal.net](mailto:jimvanbuskirk@sbcglobal.net)
For folks planning to attend in person please email Dick’s niece Kim at [kimspawn5@gmail.com](mailto:kimspawn5@gmail.com) using the subject line “Dick’s celebration of life.”

09/06/2025 Dick Hewetson Celebration of Life from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Attend in Person:

Come to the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, on Saturday September 6 during the setup period 12:30-1:30 pm. The entrance to the Center is at the back of the parking lot.

———-

Also, you can join the celebration on Zoom. To join and be able to speak briefly, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

Join the meeting by phone: +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Find an international number to call: https://zoom.us/u/afYkAuvE6

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
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Add this event to your Google calendar: Google Calendar

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-09-06

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/310605721/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250906/7c5287b8-85c4-462d-b9e8-984598fc0f0a/dick-hewetson-celebration-of-life

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1957963215390097667

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

Pro Bono Photo: Serving the photo needs of social action and environmental organizations in the Bay area

Chris Cassell

11 a.m., July 27, 2025

Join us this Sunday, either in person or online, as we welcome Chris Cassell to tell us about Pro Bono Photo, which serves the photo needs of social action and environmental organizations in the Bay Area.

PBP (https://www.probonophoto.org/) is a clearinghouse that matches worthy organizations that need photographic and videographic services with volunteer photographers and videographers who wish to donate their time and expertise. PBP was founded in early 2017 by Jack Owicki; the first Women’s March was the initial large event that we covered. Chris Cassell has been a photographer for PBP since that beginning.

In the years since then, and as PBP has become increasingly known to social and environmental non-profit organizations, two different roles of PBP have become increasingly separate and sometimes in tension with each other in terms of their ground rules. Those roles are (1) covering protests, and (2) helping non-profits document their meetings, conferences, etc. The protest coverage role had receded somewhat during the Biden administration, but, needless to say, has exploded in activity since the start of 2025.

Chris will describe the evolution of Pro Bono Photo and those roles over the years, highlighted by photos (taken mostly by Chris) from events that PBP has covered. He will also explore the aspirational notion that the effect of PBP’s activities has been “necessary, though not sufficient”. That is, through documenting protests, PBP multiplies the effectiveness of those actions so that protest becomes more than just a bunch of left-coast people waving signs in each other’s faces. Helping to demonstrate that a critical mass of Americans share their anger with the current direction of politics is a necessary step. But that step plus several others, may be needed to effectively change the direction that American society is headed.

Chris is a retired aerospace engineer; Lockheed Martin brought him to the Bay Area in 1997, but in 2012, he transitioned to being a co-founder and the astrodynamics lead of Deep Space Industries, Inc. DSI had the long-term goal of near-Earth asteroid mining, but failed as a business in 2018. Chris’ education includes a B.A. in Physics from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from UC, San Diego.

He is a member of two “religious humanist” organizations: the Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley (past Treasurer), and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, where he is currently a member of the Action Council (for social action).

Chris has been a serious amateur photographer since the late ’70s. Currently, in addition to Pro Bono Photo, Chris is active with the Los Gatos-Saratoga Camera Club, where he is Judge VP, responsible for arranging judges for the club’s monthly photo competitions. He also regularly judges photo competitions at other camera clubs around the Bay Area.

07/27/2025 Pro Bono Photo: Serving the photo needs of organizations in the Bay Area – Chris Cassell from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Attend in Person:
On the first and fourth Sunday of the month, like this Sunday, attend our forum in person with fellow humanists at the Neutra House Conference Center, 181 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022. Lunch will be served after the forum. We request a $10 donation.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

———-

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

Join the meeting by phone: +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Find an international number to call: https://zoom.us/u/afYkAuvE6

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar: Google Calendar

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-07-27/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/309687829/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250727/0fd3a5ce-341f-4450-912c-eb87ce555a7c/pro-bono-photo-serving-the-photo-needs-of-action-organizations-in-the-bay-area

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1944983794571714676

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

What Can You Do with Google AI

Matt Courtney

11 a.m., June 22, 2025

Join us this Sunday, either in person or online, for an insightful and engaging talk that will delve into the transformative capabilities of Google AI, with a particular focus on showcasing the groundbreaking features and practical applications of Gemini. This forum offers a unique opportunity to explore how these cutting-edge technologies are not just theoretical advancements, but powerful tools you can use in your everyday activities. Discover the power and versatility of these revolutionary AI solutions.

Matthew Courtney is a former Google engineer, currently the host of the tech news podcast How the Tech Are You, and a writer and producer for the YouTube channel “The Power of Money.” He is a general technology enthusiast with a passion for exploring cutting-edge advancements.

06/22/2025 What Can You Do with Google AI? – Matt Courtney from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Attend in Person:
Attend our forum in person with fellow humanists at the Neutra House Conference Center, 181 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022. Lunch will be served after the forum. We request a $10 donation.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

———-

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

Join the meeting by phone: +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Find an international number to call: https://zoom.us/u/afYkAuvE6

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar: Google Calendar

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-06-22/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/308545936/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250622/c193f2af-ec51-45db-8f85-a1164d9cfefe/what-can-you-do-with-google-ai

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1935224784918597902

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508