Category: Forums

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How the Universe Allows Things to Create Themselves

Keith D. Swenson

December 4, 2016

Of all areas where science and the Bible have friction, the topic of origins is the war zone. Exactly why do evolution and abiogenesis kick up such emotion? Maybe it’s that by-your-bootstraps thing, auto-creation, the idea of organization “creating itself.” Even scientifically minded people struggle with that one. Consider how snowflakes form. Crystallization is palpable auto-creation, a spontaneous increase in order without intelligent meddling. It seems to violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics, but creationists use a flawed understanding of this law and then promulgate that misunderstanding and exploit it to support creationism. Keith D. Swenson has a degree in Physics and a Masters Degree in Computer Science. He will discuss the above topics, as well as (1) Why some people find it hard to accept evolution, (2) What the natural cognitive barrier is and why it exists, (3) The roles that misunderstanding randomness and entropy play, and (4) Several examples of how complex systems display auto-creation (such as snowflakes!).

Click here to see the slides that the speaker presented during his talk.

Humanist Community Forum (2016-12-04): How the Universe Allows Things to Create Themselves (Keith D. Swenson) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

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(Note: People interested in the Family Program should contact Harrianne Mills at 650-257-0478.)

Performance Event

Hosted by Sena Havasy

November 27, 2016

Do you love music? Play a musical instrument and /or sing? Solo, group or sing along? Do you have a favorite poem, one that you’ve read or maybe even written yourself? Do you have a skit or dance piece you could share with us? We are looking for participants for our seventh Annual Performance Forum. We are taking sign-ups at the greeters table. Contact Sena Havasy at senahav@gmail.com for more information.

 
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Can a divided America heal?

Featuring a video of a TED Talk by Jonathan Haidt

November 20, 2016

How can the US recover after the negative, partisan presidential election of 2016? Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt studies the morals that form the basis of our political choices. In this TED Talk, which shows a conversation between Jonathan Haidt and TED Curator Chris Anderson, Jonathan Haidt describes the patterns of thinking and historical causes that have led to such sharp divisions in America — and provides a vision for how the country might move forward. A discussion of this topic by audience members will follow the showing of this video.

Please see www.ted.com and www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_can_a_divided_america_heal.

Note: The previously scheduled talk by Jason Kazarian, “Forward To The Past: Life In A Second-World Country”, will be given at a later date.

 
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A Humanist Author’s Journey

Timothy Savage

November 13, 2016

Timothy Savage previously worked as a journalist, corporate communicator, web geek and freelance writer for more than two decades before devoting himself full time to raising his son. He will be discussing his first published novel, “Davey’s Savior”. This book takes up themes of fatherhood and misplaced faith from a humanist perspective.

 

Humanist Community Forum (2016-11-13): A Humanist Author’s Journey (Timothy Savage) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

(Note: Jonathan Karpf’s talk, “Where do new species come from?”, previously scheduled for this date, will occur sometime in 2017 instead.)

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Science of Contemplative Practice

Anne Shelly Baumgartner

November 6, 2016

An interactive presentation exploring the neural science behind Mindfulness, a current practice for relieving pain, anxiety, depression, and addiction, as well as increasing focused attention for students of all ages. Learn how to observe the inner world of thoughts, feelings, and emotions as scientists observe the natural world.

Anne earned her B.A. in science writing at U.C. Santa Cruz, and her M.A.s in education leadership and instructional technology at San Jose State University. Anne is currently the Intern Pathway Coordinator for the Teacher Education Department at the Lurie College of Education at San Jose State University and a Supervisor of Teacher Candidates.

 
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