NSA Spying – Why it makes you less safe

NSA Spying – Why it makes you less safe

Marc Perkel

March 2, 2014

 

Marc croppedThe NSA and the Obama Administration have tried to position the NSA spying as a “balance” between freedom and safety, implying that theNSA spying makes you more safe. In fact the opposite is true. NSA spying makes you less safe and is a threat to civilization itself. This presentation explains the technical concepts of how the Internet works and explains how the NSA is creating a single point of failure to bring down the Internet.

Marc Perkel is a self taught computer expert who has been designing and building computers since 1972. He was also formerly the system administrator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Dr. Michael Edelstein

Happiness and Meaning in One Lesson

Dr. Michael Edelstein

February 23, 2014

edelstein-headshot1-smlWhen bright individuals learn to overcome psychological blocks, creating happiness and meaning in their lives usually follows. In one simple lesson Dr. Edelstein will show you how to achieve the former and offer useful principles for proceeding to the latter.

REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy), devised by Dr. Albert Ellis, forms the basis with which these objectives can be met. REBT is based on the principle that disturbed emotions are caused by irrational beliefs. It teaches individuals how to change their thinking and change their lives.

Dr. Michael R. Edelstein is a clinical psychologist with an in-person and phone/Skype therapy practice in San Francisco . He is the author of four books, including the award winning Three Minute Therapy (see www.ThreeMinuteTherapy.com).

Watch Michael’s talk below.

Humanist Community Forum (2014-02-23): Happiness and Meaning in One Lesson (Dr. Michael Edelstein) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Arthur Jackson and Bob Stephens

Darwin Day Celebration

Arthur Jackson and Bob Stephens

February 16, 2014

Arthur Jackson
Arthur Jackson

The “International Darwin Day Celebration” (see http://darwinday.org) originated within our very own, Humanist Community of Silicon Valley, in 1993! Longtime Humanist Community members and leaders Arthur Jackson and Bob Stephens will review the past accomplishments of this initiative and talk about what is currently being planned to make “Darwin Day” (which falls on Darwin’s birthday, February 12th) a permanent annual celebration going forward.

The Secular Student Alliance (SSA) is printing an updated version of a promotional booklet written by Bob Stephens which will be distributed to the 400+ SSA College Student chapters, all of the members of Congress, and Feb. 9th HC Forum attendees (so they will be ready to discuss it a week later at this Forum on Feb. 16th).

Dr. Masuma Ahmed

‘iCrea8’ 3D World for Me and Everyone

Dr. Masuma Ahmed

February 9, 2014

 

Ahmed Masuma
Ahmed Masuma

Dr. Masuma Ahmed will introduce the iCrea8 3D world by unfolding the story behind 3D design creation for everyone. She will share her vision about the upcoming 3D revolution and how it is changing the paradigms of education, manufacturing, entertainment, archeology, and a host of other disciplines and practices.

Dr. Ahmed has a Ph.D. in Physics from Yale, was a Senior Director involved with the mobile initiative at Comcast, and had been part of the Humanist Community in Palo Alto. Masuma’s new venture, iCrea8 has taken the 3D innovations one step closer to folks using patent-pending technologies where everyone will be able to enjoy the 3D design experience end-to-end.

Laura Mappin

Improve Your Argument’s Impact

Laura Mappin

February 2, 2014

Note: HCSV Board elections will occur on this date before this Forum begins.

telescope-250-5672Each of us has probably taken part in a number of persuasive arguments that have only resulted in hurt feelings and disturbed relationships but no further understanding or learning on anyone’s part. We have also probably found ourselves on both sides of those failed arguments. How can we do better?

In this forum, Humanist Community member Laura Mappin will take a look at several scholars’ views on this subject and then facilitate a group discussion on this topic. Audience members will consider real life argument examples provided by attendees and crowd-source possible responses. (This Forum will not be videotaped to allow for a freer discussion.)