Feb 3 - Earth in Human Hands

On Friday night, author and astrobiologist David Grinspoon shared his new book, "Earth in Human Hands", with us. He claimed we are entering a new era on earth called the Anthropocene - the age of humanity. For better or worse, we are reshaping our planet, and we have the capability to be aware of and intentional about the changes we enact. He also told us about another species living 2.5 billion years ago that caused catastrophic climate change: cyanobacteria learned to generate O2 through photosynthesis, which changed the composition of atmosphere and that destroyed many other bacteria that thrived on the previously methane-rich atmosphere. He also made the distinction between inadvertent vs intentional changes in climate. For example, when we began driving cars on a wide scale, we didn't initially understand the environmental impact that would have. However, in the 70s, the world responding to ozone depletion by banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), intentionally working to recover that protective layer between the Sun and us. Finally, Dr Grinspoon believes we can positively affect future climate, even beyond reversing the effects of humans on the climate - we could avert a future ice age, for example, since we know those happen periodically even when the Earth is left to its own devices. 

After the lecture, Dr Grinspoon signed copies of his book, and then undergraduate Erin took the audience on a brief tour of the other planets in our solar system. Upstairs, undergraduates Richard and Cierra showed movies on the 3D wall, and graduate students Aleksey and Daniel led roof tours. 

-- Stephanie Douglas (graduate student)

Oct 21 - Surviving the Misinformation Age

In the past, information was scarce, but generally high quality. Conversely, in the last 10-15 years, the amount of information produced by humanity has skyrocketed while simultaneously being made accessible to nearly every human being on the planet. Tonight, Professor David Helfand discussed the challenges that this firehose of data presents to society. 

The internet is full of mis-information that is easily accessible and appears vetted. Prof. Helfand told us about the tendency for people to cherry-pick data, i.e. selecting only evidence that fits their pre-determined argument, rather than assessing or even accepting all the available evidence. He also critiqued the "echo chamber" that can be created in online spaces. He urged the audience to be skeptical and listen to a variety of sources, and to search out the evidence behind claims they read or hear. Prof. Helfand's talk was based on his new book, "A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age."

Despite the clouds, graduate student Aleksey Generozov and a team of volunteers showed off the big dome and telescope. On the 13th floor, undergraduate student Richard presented movies on our 3D wall. 

-- Stephanie Douglas (graduate student)