This is Part 2 of a 5-part science series prepared by Dr. Duane Ray. "Science tells us that the world we perceive is only an approximation of our actual world. Join Dr. Ray as we glimpse our daily world as it really is. Space puckers. All is probabilities. Nothing is smooth. Everything comes in little chunks. Our TVs, our cell phones, and our computers would not be possible if we did not deeply understand the strange unfamiliar world which we inhabit. We continue to push back the limits of our understanding."
Presentation by Jack Straton: “Confronting 21st Century Racism.” This is a look at the ways we all are subconsciously choreographed into the racial dance of internalized racial superiority and inferiority. Understanding this can help us respond with compassion rather than with a holier than thou attitude when we or others pull out a dance step or two. Straton earned a degree in photography from the University of Oregon in 1977, worked as a professional jazz drummer for three years, and then returned to the U of O in the 1980s to earn a doctorate in quantum theory. Both as a volunteer and professional diversity trainer over the past 18 years, he has presented several hundred workshops on ending sexual assault and racism.
Sue Emmett discusses the role of religion and religious proselytizing in our country’s military academies.
Dr. Duane Ray has organized a 5-part series for HGP. These talks are at a level understandable to the interested layperson. In each, a background of information is provided, significant achievements and their impact on us are highlighted and we then look for the limits of our scientific knowledge in the various areas. Expectations for the future based on the present direction of research and sometimes feasible alternatives are part of the discussion. Each is a stand-alone talk but attending the whole series provides a deeper understanding. The Big Bang Origin of Our Universe is the first presentation in the series. We are fortunate to live in a time when the most advanced revelations of science are made available to us in a form understandable by the interested layperson. The generally accepted scientific ideas of the creation of the universe, the development of our solar system and the occurrence of life will be presented. Some conjectures suggested by plausible but unproven alternatives are included. Our existence is placed on the time-line of the universe. It’s awesome. It’s humbling.