Presenters
and their presentations
2024
Chronological List of Presenters
(lists most recent on top, scroll below to find presentation)
April 8, Exploring for Copper in Central New Guinea
Bob Galbraith
In 1970 Kennecott Copper Corporation made an agreement with the New Guinea Administration granting Kennecott exclusive rights for two years to explore 22,000 square miles located in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. Kennecott immediately stumbled onto what was initially believed to be the largest copper deposit in the world. This talk will disclose how this was done, how the deposit was finally defined, how the exploration of this huge area was completed and an introduction to the people involved.
March 25, Citizens' Climate Lobby vs. The Climate Data.
John Shewchuk
IDiscover what the Villages' chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby is saying about human impact upon the climate. The claims are numerous, but the data says otherwise. See how these claims are based on selective data sources, data that has been proven incorrect, and data claiming cause and affects that are subjective and unsubstantiated.
March 11, Human Evolutionary Traits
Drake Shepard
Famed anthropologist Louis Leakey will come alive to discuss and show how man has physically and mentally evolved traits over time from our ancient ancestors like Homo hablis, Homo erectus, Neanderthal and others that led to become us.
February 26, What are We Made Of?
Robert Wickman
Most of us know what an atom looks like. Or do we? And how do those atoms wandering around form molecules like water, salt, or the stuff that makes us? Why does ice float? What makes iron so strong? Why are some things like helium so inert? No chemistry background is required. You’ll discover some things you might have always been wondering about.
February 10, "Smartphone and computer "apps”: what, why, where, how, etc."
Greg Astfalk
Today nearly everyone makes use of computer, or smartphone, “apps." Having an understanding of the below-the-surface details of apps is interesting and impressive. It is also helpful for knowing how they do what they do for, and to, us.
This lecture is not about what apps to use or how to use a particular app. We generically discuss apps from their conception to their end-user usage, and what they are doing while we are using them. The goal is that you will leave with a greater appreciation and understanding of the apps we mostly take for granted.
January 22, "Corporate Environmental Scandals"
Drake Shepard
This will detail the BP oil spill, drinking water contamination in Flint, Michigan, Woburn, Mass. and Love Canal, Teflon contamination, Bhopal, India, asbestos contamination, burn pits used by U.S. military, and the 5 most polluted places on the planet. See how large corporations have been responsible for oil spills, contaminated drinking water and poisonous air that has affected millions of U.S. citizens. Numerous famous Hollywood films were made about these violations resulting in raised public awareness, outrage and long overdue environmental justice.
January 8, "Iranian Nuclear Program Issues"
George Hept
Basic physics / engineering behind nuclear power programs and the overlap with nuclear weapons development, with specific application to the Iranian program.