2016-2017 Tech Talk Season
The Center for Technology & Society partnered with the Henegar Center for the Arts in downtown Melbourne, Florida for a series of Tech Talks during the 2016-2017 season.Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at 2:00pm: "Star Trek at 50"
Did the elections get you down? Cheer up! Get in a good mood for the holidays by celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original “Star Trek” television series. Come to this enjoyable talk by Scott Tilley to hear about alien life forms, anti-matter power sources, energy weapons, faster-than-light travel, intelligent robots, portable communicators, transporters, and the society of tomorrow. You’ll go home happy and feeling much better about our shared future.
Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 at 8:00pm: "Transportation Security for Global Survival"
Mobility is a vital part of our genetic code. However, impaired logistical movement is leading to global gridlock and the onset of a major decline affecting the world’s Gross Domestic Product. Global survival is in the balance, and resilience must be restored to insure that our society is safe, secure, healthy and sustainable. Come to this insightful talk by guest speaker Dr. Cliff Bragdon to hear about the challenges and resilient measures that are essential for our economic and social well-being.
Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:00pm: "Robots, AI, and Society"
Will robots take your job? Will they take over the world? Robots are hardware constructs that can automatically perform a series of tasks under control of a computer program. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the software that can change a robot from a simple machine into an autonomous agent. When put together, robots and AI may represent the next great leap for mankind. The question is, a leap to where? Intelligent robots are already among us. As they evolve, how will they affect society? Will they be servants like Rosie? Will they be killers like the Terminator? Or will they be something entirely new, like Ava? Come to this stimulating talk by Scott Tilley to hear more about how thinking machines will change your future. There’s a storm coming; are you ready?
Friday, April 7, 2017 at 8:00pm: "Fossil Fuels: Friend or Foe?"
Like it or not, our economy runs on coal, oil, and natural gas. It's undeniable that our society has been greatly enriched through the use of fossil fuels: we grow more crops, we live longer, and we can travel the globe like never before. But it's also true that burning hydrocarbons for 150 years has polluted our environment. There is a world-side search for clean sources of alternate energy — and we should be leading the way. As with most complex problems, the issues are not as clear-cut as they seem. Come to this thought-provoking talk by Scott Tilley to hear a balanced perspective on the history of fossil fuels — and learn more about how we'll power the world of tomorrow.
Friday, May 26, 2017 at 8:00pm: "How Women Can Succeed in STEM"
The number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields continues to decline. Even after numerous attempts to boost enrollment in schools, to provide positive role models for budding young scientists and engineers, and to encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM, there are still societal problems. The recent book Lean In by the COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, highlights some of these issues at the highest corporate levels. Fortunately, there are excellent examples of women who have succeeded in STEM — often in the face of daunting challenges. Come to this inspiring talk by guest speaker Tauhida Parveen to hear about her experiences working in technical and leadership positions in academia and industry. Her story illustrates that women can excel in a male-dominated world — technical or otherwise.
