Can Humanity Think Its Way to a Better Future?

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ONE BIG BRAIN: Can humanity think its way to a better future?

On February 21, 2014, Evergreen will host a film screening and panel discussion to explore the existence of a “noosphere” (pronounced “No-a-sphere”), a planetary field of unified consciousness that forms a layer around planet Earth, just as does our atmosphere. The event will highlight the Noosphere Endowment at Evergreen that supports faculty-student collaborative projects unifying artistic, scientific, and spiritual elements that promote the advent of a worldwide culture of peace. Adam Leveen Sher ’02 and his parents Gerson and Marjorie Sher established this endowed award to assist future generations of Evergreen students.

Here is a preview of the film that will be shown prior to the panel discussion:

Following the screening, a panel of faculty members and alumni will consider the concept of a noosphere that can act in specified ways upon our biosphere.

One of the sources of research on the noosphere is The Global Consciousness Project, an international, multidisciplinary collaboration of scientists and engineers. This organization, operating under the auspices of Princeton University, collects and examines data “to discover subtle correlations that reflect the presence and activity of consciousness in the world . . .When human consciousness becomes coherent and synchronized, the behavior of random systems may change.” 

Event information:

One Big Brain: Can Humanity Think Its Way to a Better Future?
Date:        Friday, February 21, 2014
Time:       1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: On campus in the Longhouse Education and Culture Center

There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public.Contributions to the Noosphere Endowment are gratefully received.

Seating is limited. Faculty members who wish to bring their students should reserve seats by contacting R.J. Burt in the Office of Alumni Programs by February 15.

Max Hoffman and the Amazing Wooden Derailleur

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Wooden campagnolo derailleur created by student Max Hoffman.

Max Hoffman is an Evergreen student. When not in class, he is often to be found at The Evergreen Bike Shop. The 21-year old cyclist has created something amazing. Here’s a bit of the story, with thanks to “BikeRumor.com:

At an early age, his passion for bicycles had him turning wrenches for one the of largest Campy dealers in the country – the Bicycle Pro Shop in D.C. It’s their in the trenches that he developed an admiration for the beautiful and exotically priced Italian components.

Having never owned any of the components, Max had his first break during his Sophomore year of school at Evergreen State College. While working at the community run campus bicycle shop, someone donated a broken Campy Record Derailleur. By dissembling and hand measuring with a set of calipers each component, he carefully translated every subtle curve into a small block of walnut. Without the assistance of a computer, mill, or CNC machine, he constructed the wooden sculpture over the course of 50 hours, using nothing but hand tools such as jewelers saws, files, and chisels!

Read the full post and see more photos at BikeRumor.com.

Planning Evergreen’s Curriculum the Evergreen Way

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Future curriculum planning as community event.

Here’s another great “One Minute Evergreen” from the talented folks at Photoland’s “Inside Evergreen.”

Ever worry that the Evergreen you loved has changed, gotten more traditional, less innovative? No need to fret. Evergreen abides as the haven of collaborative teaching and learning.  Here’s example: planning the curriculum as a community event.

Lynda Weinman ’76 Takes Aim at Higher Ed Myths in Huffington Post

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Lynda Weinman ’76 speaks on Education in the Age of the Internet at Return to Evergreen (May 2012).  Photo by Shauna Bittle.

This week in the Huffington Post, Lynda Weinman ’76 takes aim at some of the myths she believes threaten the future of colleges and universities, erode equity and access, and harm U.S. competitiveness. Read the full story.

Educator & Entrepreneur Lynda Weinman ’76: The lynda.com Success Story

Lynda Weinman, Co-founder and Executive Chair of lynda.com

In a two-part interview, internet education pioneer Lynda Weinman ’76, co-founder of lynda.com, chats with television host Zhena Muzyka about success, entrepreneurship, outside investment, getting ‘unstuck’ and more.

 

 

 

 

Biophysicist Betty Kutter Invited the World to Evergreen – And It Came

Question: Why did almost 200 scientists, researchers, physicians and educators from all over the world travel to Olympia,Washington this summer?

Evergreen Faculty Member Emerita Betty Kutter

Answer: Because Betty Kutter invited them.

Earlier this month, August 4th through 9th, many of the world’s foremost experts on Bacteriophage (Phage), a virus that eats harmful bacteria, converged on the Evergreen campus to talk, share research and think critically about Phage. At the center of this discussion, now and for the past 50 years, is Evergreen Faculty Member Emerita Betty Kutter. Betty has devoted her life to learning and evangelizing about Phage, ever since a scientific mentor said to her many years ago “when we understand phage, we will understand the essence of life.”

Here are highlights of 20th Biennial Evergreen International Phage Meeting:

“Today in the Phage World, this is the place to be. ”

one of the conference speakers.