How Does the Brain make up its Mind? Mysteries of the Origin of Consciousness
Jurgen Kremer
Monday, February 3, 2020 noon – 1 pm
To watch the Zoom Cloud recording click the YouTube icon for the link.
Why are human beings conscious? The arising of consciousness is commonly explained as a process in which the biological processes of the brain create our minds. All these explanations seem to involve a leap from the biology of the brain to the psychology of the mind - an unexplained leap that makes these theories ultimately unsatisfactory. Recent advances in code biology and quantum theory help us avoid this leap of faith from brain to mind. Rather, it understands brain and mind as complementarity, just as particle and wave are complementary in quantum theory. This exciting new theoretical perspective, described by Gazzaniga, Hameroff, Barad, Frecska, and others, has important implications for our understanding of the field of psychology. It opens the door to a new self-understanding and returns us full circle to Indigenous intuitions and practices.
“Coded/Coated" Artist Talk by Brandon Donahue with Jessica Gatlin
Brandon Donahue
Thursday, February 20, 2020 noon – 1 pm
To watch the Zoom Cloud recording click the YouTube icon for the link.
Brandon J. Donahue will discuss his visual art, accompanied by slides of his work. This will be in conjunction with an exhibition entitled "Coded/Coated" at the Santa Rosa Junior College Art Gallery in the Frank P. Doyle Library, a show that will feature the artwork of Brandon Donahue, Jessica Gatlin, and several other artists. The show will focus on the ideas of coding, and coating with all of their various meanings in our society.
Astronomy in Chile – The Eyes of the World
Laura Sparks
Monday, March 2, 2020 noon – 1 pm
To watch the Zoom Cloud recording click the YouTube icon for the link.
Bordered by the towering Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Chile’s desert landscapes are the perfect places to build giant telescopes. By the next decade, 70% of the world’s professional astronomical observing will happen in Chile. SRJC astronomy instructor and Astronomy in Chile Educational Ambassador, Laura Sparks, will discuss Chile’s unique traits and fascinating role in 21st century astronomy. She will take the audience on a journey through the most important discoveries made by Chilean telescopes, including the first picture ever taken of a black hole, the accelerating expansion of the universe, and the first-ever photo of an alien planet system being born around a distant star..
Art, Power, and the Radical Imagination: A talk by Favianna Rodriguez
Favianna Rodriguez
Monday, March 9, 2020 noon – 1 pm
To watch the Zoom Cloud recording click the YouTube icon for the link.
Favianna Rodriguez is an acclaimed Bay Area artist and activist. Her artwork explores globalization, immigration, feminism, patriarchy, interdependence, genetically modified foods, and beyond. Rodriguez is co-founder of Presente.org and Executive Director of Culture Strike, a national arts organization that engages artists, writers, and performers regarding migrant rights. Rodriguez's posters have a distinctive and colorful style that takes inspiration from her Latin-American roots with contemporary context. Her artwork has been featured throughout the US and internationally.
Following the lecture presentation, the artist will conduct a hands-on art workshop, sell and sign posters from 1-2 pm in the Intercultural Center. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is co-sponsored by the SRJC Latinx Faculty and Staff Association (LSFA), Women’s History Month, and the Intercultural Center.