A Much Needed Discussion

Thursday, July 2, 2015, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We will conclude our discussion on the race issue in our country. Sherman will lead the discussion. Unfortunately, I will be away on travel so there will be no video at the meeting. But this is a good thing, because there will be more opportunity to voice your opinions.

As always, you are invited to leave comments on this blog to share your opinions with everyone.

The Racial Issue

Thursday, June 25, 2015, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Every week there is another reminder that the racial issue in America is far from settled. For the next two Zoom-in meetings we will discuss the progress, or the lack thereof, of racism in America. First we will take a broad view, by viewing several TED Talks, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

The following week, Zoom-in member Sherman will lead us in a more in depth discussion of racial issues closer to home.

Nuclear vs Renewables Debate

Thursday, June 18, 2015, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We will view the TED Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy? This is a debate between two environmentalists who want to eliminate the use of fossil fuels to save us from climate change. Stewart Brand favors nuclear, while Mark Jacobson thinks we can do it only with renewables, such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. We have seen both Brand and Jacobson in previous meetings, and now they will debate each other in perhaps the most important issue that is ignored by main stream media and both political parties.

Zoom-in member, Calvin will lead the discussion. I hope that other members will lead in future meetings. I can help in finding appropriate videos. Please help to make this format work by previewing the video and coming prepared with related issues we can discuss in the meeting.

The GMO Heresy Revisted

Thursday, June 11, 2015, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next two weeks we will revisit two of four heresies presented by Stewart Brand in our 5/8/15 meeting. Next week we will zoom-in on the GMO issue. We will view a recent TED Talk about how the genetic engineering of crops provides unique solutions and may be necessary in a changing world. We will then look at an opposing view, particularly about the need for GMO labeling.

Two weeks from now we will revisit the nuclear energy issue by watching a TED debate about nuclear energy vs renewable energy, between Stewart Brand and Mark Jacobson. Since we already saw Brand's pro nuclear talk, it is only fair to see a pro renewable talk by Jacobson ahead of the actual debate.