Welcome to Nerd Nite Hamilton: Where Curiosity and Geekiness Unite!
Calling all curious minds, philosophy enthusiasts, and science geeks – get ready for a night of intellectual revelry like never before! Nerd Nite Hamilton is back with a bang, bringing you an electrifying event that celebrates all things nerdy and intellectually stimulating.
Events take place the second Monday of the month (more or less), 7-9pm at Shawn & Eds Brewery Co. As always it will be pay-what-you-can at the door, with all money going to our local Routes Youth Centre. Be there and be square!
#8 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 8th April, 2024
Talk 1: The Canadian Lunar Rover Mission’s Science and Technology Goals for Canada
The Canadian Lunar Rover Mission (LRM) is the flagship of the Canadian Space Agency’s Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) and will be the first ever Canadian-led planetary surface mission. The aim of this technology demonstration mission is to land a 30 kg Canadian rover in the south polar region of the Moon, perform meaningful lunar science, operate inside of permanently shadowed regions, and to survive multiple lunar days/nights. Canadensys Aerospace Corporation was selected in November 2022 as the prime contractor for this mission. The rover will fly as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative as early as late 2026.
Bio: Josh Newman is a systems engineer at Canadensys Aerospace. Josh has over a decade of experience in the space industry developing and operating novel systems that push the boundaries of space accessibility. In addition to his current role as systems lead on the Lunar Rover Mission (LRM) for the Canadian Space Agency, Josh recently operated the ILO-X imaging systems on board the Intuitive Machines Odysseus lunar lander, which delivered stunning imagery of lunar descent and landing.
Talk 2: Beginnerhood – Conquering Perfectionism
In a world fixated on achievement and perfection, many of us find ourselves trapped in the relentless pursuit of flawlessness, often at the expense of our well-being and joy. Join Brooke Henshall, a dedicated advocate for authentic living, as she shares insights from her personal journey towards conquering perfectionism through the lens of “Beginnerhood”. Drawing from her rich background in yoga, meditation, and breathwork, Brooke invites us to embrace the liberating power of a beginner’s mindset. In her ongoing series, she explores a myriad of movement and mindfulness modalities, each a stepping stone towards self-discovery and growth. Through candid reflections and practical wisdom, Brooke reveals how cultivating a spirit of openness and curiosity can transform our relationship with success and failure. Discover how surrendering the need to be the best opens doors to profound experiences and genuine fulfillment. Join us on this transformative exploration of Beginnerhood, where imperfection becomes the gateway to authenticity and joy.
Bio: Brooke Henshall is a passionate explorer of self-discovery and advocate for authentic living. Inspired by her transformative journey in Australia, she is passionate about personal development. Trained in yoga, meditation, and breathwork facilitation, Brooke guides others in uncovering their true essence through her workshop, Journey Inward. Her ongoing series “Beginnerhood” aims to conquer perfectionism, embracing a beginner’s mindset and exploring new practices for growth and self-discovery. Through this series, she explores various movement and mindfulness modalities she hasn’t tried before in order to shift the focus from being the best to enjoying a new experience with an open mind. Originally aiming for 12 activities in 2024, Brooke has already completed 10 by March, realizing the journey has no end in sight.
Talk 3: The Power of Asking
This talk will be an exploration into the transformative force of asking. Through real-life stories and research insights, we’ll uncover how the simple act of asking questions can catalyze growth, deepen relationships, and unlock hidden opportunities. Whether seeking mentorship, feedback, or collaboration, mastering the art of asking opens doors to boundless possibilities. Discover how embracing curiosity and courage can lead to a life of fulfillment and impact.
Bio: Rocky Ricottone is a multi-talented restaurateur, chef, musician, and podcaster who thrives on bringing people together and fostering meaningful conversations. With a passion for creating vibrant spaces that empower creative individuals, Rocky’s endeavors transcend traditional boundaries. Through his culinary creations, musical performances, and engaging podcasts, he cultivates environments where collaboration flourishes and connections deepen. Whether in the kitchen, on stage, or behind the mic, Rocky’s mission is clear: to inspire, uplift, and unite through the power of creativity and community.
#7 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 11th March, 2024
Talk #1: Dementia and Its Discontent
What is dementia? What is normal aging and what is not? If it’s not dementia, what else could it be? What does it mean to be a Care Partner? What is “Caregiver Syndrome”? So many questions!!!! Lucky for you, there are answers….at Nerd Nite #7. Join us for this fascinating discussion of all these issues and empower yourselves and your loved ones with knowledge about dementia and what living with it could mean!
Bio: Cheri Elson was an estate planning and probate attorney in California and Oregon for 20 years, working with families living with dementia and other cognitive decline, and preserving the rights of seniors and those unable to advocate for themselves. Also a full-time caregiver of a close relative for over two years, Cheri has experienced first-hand the stress and overwhelm that often accompanies the challenging task of caring for loved ones around the clock. With a passion for preserving the rights of seniors and those unable to advocate for themselves, and a professional background as an elder law attorney/LAWYER, Cheri offers a unique perspective to the often-complicated process of managing the affairs of those struggling with the effects of cognitive decline and dementia.
Talk #2: Spontaneous Activity, Intentional Activity, and a Not-so-secret Third Kind of Activity the Daoists Told us About
Many of our activities are spontaneous—breathing, hearing, holding our bodies up. Some of our activities are intentional—sniffing, listening, gesturing. In many other activities, spontaneity and intention are commingled—for example, skilled but natural action such as excellent artistic or athletic performance, or flow states of all kinds. The problem is that “Western” philosophical theories of action systematically fail to account for the third kind of activity. This is because historically deep-seated dichotomies between spontaneity/intention, nature/artifice, body/mind, and ease/effort distort our accounts of the third kind of activity. In this talk, I explore ways in which an “Eastern” analysis of natural but skilled activity can help us go beyond the dichotomies to develop more fine-grained and commodious theories of activities where spontaneity and rarified skill work together more or less seamlessly. Getting a bit clearer on how skill, effort, and action relate to each other is essential for effective self-cultivation.
Bio: Alex Djedovic, B.Sc., Ph.D., is a philosopher working at the intersection of biology and cognitive science. His research interests focus on how the life sciences and mind sciences both inform and mislead each other. Alex is also interested in non-Western approaches to cognition, the intersection of philosophy of mind with mental health, how cognitive science influences society, and the role of theory in making a more just world.
Talk #3: Scrolling Struggles: Unraveling the Mystery of Social Media Addiction
Social media: the love-hate relationship we just can’t quit! Ever wondered why we keep scrolling even when we know it’s not good for us? Turns out, our brains are like prediction machines on overdrive, trying to make sense of the digital chaos. But hey, not all apps are evil geniuses – some are just friendly neighbors! Let’s dive into the neuroscience of addiction and find out why we’re hooked on likes, shares, and cat videos. Spoiler alert: blame it on the algorithm!”
Bio: Mark Miller, Ph.D. is a philosopher of cognition. His research explores what recent advances in the cognitive sciences can tell us about happiness and well-being, and what it means to live well in our increasingly technologically-mediated world. Currently Mark is the Senior Research Fellow at the Monash University’s Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (Australia), and is cross affiliated at both the University of Toronto (Canada) and Hokkaido University (Japan).
#6 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 12th February, 2024
Talk #1: Great Sex and Your Pelvic Floor
Do you know what contributes to great sex and outstanding orgasms? Most of us don’t have a clue. In this presentation we will dive deep into the pelvis to discover what’s in there and how the pelvic floor muscles function to help us experience pleasure, remain continent and standing upright. If you want to enhance your sex life with your partner(s) or yourself, then you shouldn’t miss this presentation.
Speaker Info: Kristen has been a physiotherapist for over 22 years and has a graduate degree in Exercise
Physiology and a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University.
Kristen is the owner of Blueberry Therapy, a pelvic health and pediatric therapy clinic in
downtown Dundas. In 2020 Kristen was awarded a Women of Distinction Award in the Small
Business category from the YWCA. She has worked as a physiotherapist with children, and
adults in many different settings including hospitals, children’s treatment centres, outpatient
clinics, and in home care. She has a deep interest in research and evidence based practice and
continues to teach at McMaster University to stay current with evolving practice trends.
Kristen has a special interest in pelvic health rehabilitation and provides treatment for all adults
and children with incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction.
Talk #2: From Storms to Superpowers: Unleashing the Wisdom in Personal Struggles
Talk Info: TBA
Speaker Info: Ola Kuforiji brings 10 years of experience working in the field of mental health. He began his career working as a clinical research analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto General Hospital and Sunnybrook Hospital. Ola went on to gain experience as a clinician at several private psychotherapy clinics, providing services to diverse clientele. His therapeutic approach utilizes a range of therapeutic modalities, with an emphasis on person-centred and cognitive-behavioural techniques. Ola also uses experience navigating his own mental health challenges to inform his clinical practice. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Toronto Scarborough and a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. He currently works as the Black Student Wellness Counsellor at McMaster University, providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed psychotherapy services to Black-identifying students campus wide.
Talk #3: Understanding the Futures
How do we use ideas about the future to anticipate and better prepare for change? This talk is an exploration of how we might understand different plausible futures that could arise, the opportunities and challenges they could present, and how we can use ideas about the future to make better decisions now.
Speaker Info: Nélia eixeira, BA. MDes., JD. is an interdisciplinary designer and futurist, who incorporates systems thinking and strategic foresight methodologies into her work. Her comprehensive formal education in law, design, and social science provides her with a broad skillset, allowing her to see problems from many different perspectives.
#5 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 8th January, 2024
Talk #1: The Personality Landscape & the Search for Meaning
What is human personality and why does it matter? I address this question in my talk by introducing the audience to some of the big ideas in contemporary personality psychology. I begin by reviewing what is arguably the most widely researched model of personality in all of psychology, the Big Five, along with the related notion of “personality traits.” Through a series of vignettes, I demonstrate some useful ways of thinking about personality traits and how these exist in our everyday lives. Backed by scientific research and clinical experience, this talk aims to highlight the importance of knowing one’s personality type in leading a meaningful life.
Speaker Info: Dr. Garri Hovhannisyan, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in supervised practice at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships and the Centre for Psychology and Emotional Health in downtown Toronto. Garri provides adult individual and couples psychotherapy services and psychological assessments for a wide range of difficulties. Garri’s clinical approach is grounded in the existential, humanistic, and psychoanalytic traditions, and his research is on the relationship between human personality and perception. You can learn more about Garri and his work in the world of psychology by visiting his webpage here: https://garrihovha.ca/
Talk #2: Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings? Why Sensation Matters in an Age of Symbols
In our youth, we are taught to hold reason above ‘base’ visceral urges. As adults, we can paradoxically find ourselves feeling numb and joyless, languishing when to the outside eye we ought to content and happy. It seems like the modern understanding of mental life is missing a critical ingredient for happiness- the role of sensation in promoting mental balance. In this presentation, Prof. Farb will discuss a series of studies that recast feeling depressed as a state of sensory deactivation. Conversely, many evidence-based therapies including mindfulness training and cognitive therapy, appear to promote sensory engagement. This evidence raises the question: does a mature curriculum for living include practices in sense foraging and toggling between sensory and conceptual modes of being?
Speaker Info: Norman Farb, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he directs the Regulatory and Affective Dynamics laboratory (www.radlab.zone). He studies the psychology of well-being, focusing on mental habits, such as how we think about ourselves and interpret our emotions. He is particularly interested in why people differ in their resilience to stress, depression, and anxiety. Prof. Farb’s work currently explores online training to support wellbeing, as well as neuroimaging to understand how emotional reactions predict wellbeing across the lifespan.
Talk #3: Electric Power Grids: Facts, Myths and Sustainability.
Understanding the requirements of a power grid and its infrastructure. What are the sources of our
electrical power supplies and are they sustainable, clean and renewable. How electricity is actual made in abundance to supply a city’s needs and when demand goes up. Including the role of Ontario’s GA (Global Adjustment) policy to help supplement power demands. Energy recovery usage from prime power off grid facilities.
Speaker Info: Aurel Carina has a degree in Engineering from McMaster University, in addition to holding two professional journeymen licenses; mechanical and EPG (electric power generation). Aurel has worked in the energy sectors for approximately 30 years. He started his career on oil platforms and in various roles worldwide, until he took a role with the local Caterpillar dealership, (where he was a technical instructor). Throughout the last 15 years, he has been involved with the Power Systems group, where he has been installing, commissioning and maintaining electric power systems in both commercial marine, and land base.
#4 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 11th December, 2023
Talk #1: Breathing Like Crap: A No-Nonsense Guide to Fixing Your Respiratory Mess
Do you know if you breathe properly? Spoiler alert… you’re probably doing it wrong! Learn about the power of your breath with Orthopedic & Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, Nicole Smith. From dribbling with a sneeze to chronic low back pain, learn how your breathing mechanics are the foundation of how well your body moves and feels.
Speaker Info: Nicole Smith is a Registered Physiotherapist with a demonstrated history of working in the health, wellness, and fitness industry, and additional training in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. With an extensive background in Yoga and Mindfulness, Nicole is committed to providing holistic patient-centred care with an emphasis on functional movement, self-empowerment and healthful living. With her Master’s of Science in Physiotherapy (McMaster University) and Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology (University of Florida), you will be sure to gain a wealth of mind-body knowledge!
Talk #2: What a Mess… Striving to Untie the Knot of Structural Injustice
Many recent discussions on issues of injustice within social and political philosophy accept the claim that structural injustice is a serious threat to the pursuit of social equity. The more complex the systems and institutions that organize our societies become, the more nuanced and collaborative our approach to rectifying these injustices must be. This is thanks to the fact that injustice produced by structures is a result of collective participation within these structures. So where do we start? How do we start? Emerging theories for how we might understand the nature of this form of injustice (as well as our resulting responsibility to remedy it) have made many notable strides. But the question remains: how do we, as individuals, practically engage with a problem as complex and messy as this one? How do we become part of the solution, rather than contributing to the problem? I discuss some practical and integrative approaches for how we might set ourselves up for success when striving to work with others to untie the knot that is structural injustice.
Speaker Info: Alana Jolly is a doctoral candidate in social and political philosophy at McMaster University. Her research focuses on social justice issues, particularly structural injustice. She studies the nature of this form of injustice, how we might understand our political responsibility to address it, as well as the foundational changes we should consider making to support individuals as they endeavor to fulfill this shared responsibility.
Talk #3: Returning to Eden? A Psychological Exploration of Creation Myths
It’s easy to make fun of ancient cultures for believing in myths that clearly never happened. But what if believing in myths means something different? Myths should not be interpreted as though they literally occurred, but to see whether they point to some deeper truth about the world or human nature. Depth psychology, and Jungian psychology in particular, offers a framework for making sense of myths that does not depend on believing in them literally. In this talk, Alex Rose will provide a very brief introduction to this framework, and then use it to share a few depth psychological interpretations of the story of Adam and Eve’s Fall in the Garden of Eden.
Speaker Info: Alex Rose is a graduate student at the University of Toronto who has always been fascinated by world mythology. He is currently studying philosophy of science and cognitive science. He is interested in how agency arises from the way organisms interact with their environments, and how that applies to our social lives. He was formerly a reporter and podcaster with the Canadian Jewish News.
#3 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 13th November, 2023
Talk #1: Energy is a Place Description
The electricity we use every day comes from specific places — the remote hydroelectric dams of Quebec, the nuclear plants on the shore of the Great Lakes, gas-burning peaker plants — and paying attention to those places can be instructive as we think through transitioning away from fossil fuels. This talk traces the electrical grids in Ontario and Quebec, considering how our energy regimes have been shaped by our cultural values. Also, I will try to convince you that it’s a good idea to drive out into the middle of nowhere and visit power plants (or at least visit McMaster’s nuclear reactor).
Speaker Info: Hillary Predko, MES is a writer and researcher who is interested in infrastructure and society. Her work covers energy, waste, manufacturing, and industrial policy. She is the deputy general manager of Scope of Work (www.scopeofwork.net) and co-author of Extracting Reconciliation: Indigenous Lands, (In)human Wastes, and Colonial Reckoning with Dr. Myra Hird.
Talk #2: Tripping on nothing: How much of the psychedelic experience is caused by the placebo effect?
Can you have a psychedelic experience from a placebo alone? Are the benefits of microdosing mostly placebo effects? This talk will describe the first study focusing on placebo psychedelics, in which our team set up an elaborate (but fake) psychedelic party. Using confederates, security guards, a dozen research assistants, and deception techniques used by magicians, we convinced university students that the placebo pills they consumed actually contained a psychedelic drug. The majority of participants reported experiencing effects of the drug, including seeing paintings on the wall move on their own, feeling lighter or heavier in the head, and being unable to understand words or speak. These findings can help explain the effects of microdosing, inform psychedelic study design, and demonstrate the power of suggestion.
Speaker Info: Dr. Jay Olson is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He studies a range of topics across psychology and medicine including smartphone addiction, placebo effects, sleep, creativity, and psychedelic drugs. He did his previous graduate and postdoctoral training at McGill University and Harvard University.
Talk #3: Moral Injury: An Existential Wound and Crisis of Meaning Description
Moral injury describes the set of psychological symptoms resulting from traumatic experiences that violate one’s moral presuppositions (e.g., anger, guilt, and shame). Such disruption occurs when an individual encounters information from the environment that cannot be reconciled with the fundamental beliefs about the world (e.g., that the world and the self are fundamentally good). Towards this end, we will consider moral injury as a form of “Existential Wound” leading to a disruption in one’s ability to make sense (or meaning) of the world. We will present two case studies from our pilot work, which examines moral injury in first responders and victims of torture. Our argument will adapt the writings of existential philosophers such as Kierkegaard, and current computational models (can be removed if you don’t think it’s appropriate), to understand and overcome moral injury.
Speaker Info: Konstantinos Xanthios is a doctoral candidate in Developmental Psychology and Education. He is based at a lab within University of Toronto, and studies progress in the science of wisdom. His research focuses on using qualitative methods of investigating theoretical change across wisdom research traditions. Pouria Saffaran is a doctoral candidate in Developmental Psychology and Education, and is interested in investigating the impacts of PTSD and moral injury on individuals’ fundamental beliefs about the world.
#2 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 16th October, 2023
Nerd Nite Hamilton is back this October with a Halloween treat! We have 4 incredible talks lined up, exploring local history, famous ghostly (Hamilton) encounters, cutting-edge research on bats, and what neuroscience says about the benefits of horror movies for our mental health.
Talk #1: Spirits Having Stayed: Lost Between Cootes Paradise and Eternal Paradise
Tonight, I will cover a few brief stories on well-documented hauntings around Dundas – and some not so well-known. I have always been fascinated with ghosts, spirits, spectres, or whatever you want to call them in the afterlife for as long as I can remember. My family’s history is checkered with spooky experiences, including a few of my own. Throughout my twenty-four years living in Dundas, I have picked up a few Valley Town ghost tales, but I really went full-speed in 2000, when I was asked to conduct my very first Ghost Walk and Scavenger Haunt for the Dundas Museum & Archives. By the conclusion of those Walks on Halloween night 2000 (with a full moon and everything!), I had a whole casketful of stories! Tonight, I will enlighten you all about a few of these souls caught between Cootes and Eternal Paradise and perhaps after tonight, you will be encouraged to go spectre-seeking yourself – unless they find you first!
Speaker Info: Stan Nowak is a co-founder, first and current President of the Dundas Valley Historical Society and has lived in Dundas with wife Sally since 1999. Stan has also served on the Dundas Community Council as Heritage Rep since 2006 and has written contributions to nine books on Dundas heritage. Stan is also strongly opposed to the proposed development slated for 71 Main Street and would like to sincerely thank all who are involved in this battle for the preservation of our small-town ambience!
Talk #2: Horror Movies Can Be Good For Your Mental Health
Starting from new views of brain function, I will explore a few of the many reasons why we might be attracted to horrifying materials (e.g. books, movies, games, etc.). The answer turns out to be complex – with some forms of attraction leading to significant benefits for agents like us, while others are less adaptive and even potentially dangerous. Casting a light on the computational mechanisms underlying our experience of, and attraction to, horror can help tease apart these varying modes of attraction, and so help us better understand the value and dangers of horror.
Speaker Info: Mark Miller, Ph.D. is a philosopher and cognitive scientist. His research explores what recent advances in neuroscience can tell us about happiness and well-being, and what it means to live well in our increasingly technologically-mediated world. Mark is currently the senior research fellow at Monash University’s Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, and a research fellow in the Psychology Department at the University of Toronto.
Talk #3: Haunted Hamilton
History, Ghosts & Haunted Places, Mobsters, Murderers & Femme-Fatales… HAMILTON has it ALL! Stephanie “Spooky Steph” Dumbreck will share some of Hamilton’s most famous haunted places. She will also share what it was like to spend the night at the Lizzie Borden house, stand in front of the infamous Amityville house, and even take bus loads of paranormal enthusiasts on overnight bus trips to haunted places all across America including jails, asylums and old forts! We will then open the floor for personal ghost stories and experiences.
Speaker Info: Stephanie “Spooky Steph” Lechiak is Founder & Owner of Haunted Hamilton, a strangely unique business that has operated Haunted Tours and Bus Trips to spooky locations all over Canada and the US for the past 17 years. Stephanie has devoted her career to educating, enthralling and entertaining guests young and old in all aspects of the paranormal. An Award-Winning Columnist (urbanicity magazine), an avid history enthusiast, Paranormal Investigator, TV personality, Radio Show Host, Event Planner, artist, and most of all, “Spooky Steph” (as she’s known to her fans) is just a girl devoted to exploring the unknown in search of that missing piece… why are we all here and where do we go after we die?
Talk #4: Development of Hearing and Echolocation in Bats
Did you know that bats are the world’s only flying mammals and that female bats give birth to live young and nurse their pups with milk, just like humans? Come see what baby bats look like at birth and how pups grow, develop, learn how to fly, and echolocate. Also learn how the hearing develops so pups can use echolocation to orient and find food. Enjoy a presentation by Paul Faure, a professor from McMaster University, who studies bats and founded Canada’s first and only captive breeding colony of bats for research
Speaker Info: Paul Faure Ph.D. is a neuroethologist. His research interests are in animal bioacoustics (echolocation calls and other vocalizations ), neural mechanisms of hearing (electrophysiology) and acoustically-evoked behaviour (e.g. acoustic startle response), and integrative physiology (i.e. hormones and reproduction, cutaneous wound healing).
Event takes place 7-9pm at Shawn & Eds Brewery Co. As always it will be pay-what-you-can at the door, with all money going to our local Routes Youth Centre. Be there and be square!
#1 Nerd Nite Hamilton – 11th September, 2023
Nerd Nite Hamilton is proud to announce our inaugural show, featuring 3 absolutely amazing talks by researchers who not only lead their field of study, but who are bloody interesting human beings. Get ready to learn about the nature of your experience, how future technologies might help (rather than destroy us), and how to live a more meaningful life. Be there and be square!
Talk #1: You’re Hallucinating All The Time, Now What?
Have you ever wondered how our perception of reality can sometimes play tricks on us? In this talk, Mark Miller will explore what the latest theories in computational neuroscience tell us about how our brains construct the world around us – and what the hell we are supposed to do about the fact that we are always hallucinating our reality!
Speaker Info: Mark Miller, Ph.D. is a philosopher and cognitive scientist. His research explores what recent advances in neuroscience can tell us about happiness and well-being, and what it means to live well in our increasingly technologically-mediated world. Mark is currently the senior research fellow at Monash University’s Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, and a research fellow in the Psychology Department at the University of Toronto.
Talk #2: Tech’s New Frontier: Your Space Transformed
Imagine your home as not just walls and furniture, but a dynamic world of smart possibilities. Ambient Smart Environments (ASEs) are places where smart tech isn’t just a gadget – it’s woven into the very fabric of your surroundings, creating seamless, invisible interactions that anticipate your needs. In this talk Ben White will explore some of the expected dangers and unexpected benefits of ASEs. Brace yourself for a mind-bending journey where tech transforms not just your space, but how you navigate life itself.
Speaker Info: Ben White is a a Leverhulme-funded doctoral candidate at the University of Sussex (UK), where his research will focus on neuroscience and digital technology.
Talk #3: Navigating The Meaning Crisis
Join us for a thought-provoking journey as world renowned cognitive scientist John Vervaeke delves into ‘The Meaning Crisis.’ In this captivating talk, Vervaeke unpacks his groundbreaking ideas that explore the challenges our modern world faces in finding and cultivating deep meaning in life. Drawing from psychology, philosophy, and cognitive science, he’ll illuminate the reasons behind the crisis and guide us toward a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain new insights into the fundamental questions that shape our existence.
Speaker Info: John Vervaeke, Ph.D. is an award-winning lecturer at the University of Toronto in Psychology, Cognitive Science and Buddhist Psychology. His academic interests include wisdom, mindfulness, meditation, relevance realization, general intelligence, and rationality. He is the author of Awakening from the Meaning Crisis Youtube series and co-author of Zombies in Western Culture: A 21st Century Crisis.
Event takes place 7-9pm at Shawn & Eds Brewery Co. As always it will be pay-what-you-can at the door, with all money going to our local Routes Youth Centre. Be there and be square!