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Salon: Past Events
Salon Information
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 12:00am — Daniel.CurtisSalon Program
Jefferson Center Salons present topics of interest to our community, and provide a forum for lively discussion afterward. Topics are selected by a committee of members. We serve refreshments contributed by volunteers and have a brief social time before the start of the program. Salons are typically held on the third Sunday of each month at 4pm at The Jefferson Center, 208 Oak Street, Suite 101 in Ashland. Guests of members and interested visitors are always welcome to join us. See the Future Salons list for information about upcoming events.
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| 03/13/2016 - 4:00pm | "Questions No One Knows the Answers To" |
On Sunday, March 13th, at 4-6pm the Jefferson Center Salon will be presented by Roy Kindell: “Questions No One Knows the Answers To”. What is consciousness? Do we have free will? Is there life beyond death? Is the universe infinite? Does life exist beyond the Earth? No one knows the answers to questions such as these – yet we cannot help being curious about them, or enjoy musing about them. In this session we will explore them once again. Roy Kindell is President of the Jefferson Center, a member of the ScienceWorks Science Advisory Board, and was a founding board member of the National Center for Science Education. This program will be at the Jefferson Center located in the basement of the Old Ashland Armory. |
| 02/14/2016 - 4:00pm | "The Reality of Socialism" |
The February 14th Salon will be an open round table discussion of Socialism moderated by Noreen Hulteen. The concept of Socialism is often misunderstood in the USA. It is many things and many things it is not, resulting in a word frequently misused and misunderstood. There will be no slides or films, as Noreen will encourage questions and lead attendees in a lively discussion of this timely subject. |
| 01/10/2016 - 4:00pm | The Syrian Refugee Crisis |
Our January 10th Salon at Suite 101, Old Ashland Armory, will investigate the political and humanitarian issues of the Syrian refugee crisis. Len Eisenberg will discuss why the crisis emerged from the historical roots of the middle east. Richard LeVitt will focus on how the world—particularly the west—is responding to the crisis. Following this will be an open group discussion of alternative solutions to the crisis, given the political tensions in Europe and the US. |
| 11/08/2015 - 4:00pm | Christmas Trees and Pagan Roots |
The November 8th salon will be held at The Haven, 1970 Ashland St at 4pm. David Fitzgerald will be giving an enlightening and fun filled presentation about pagan influence on Christian Winter Holidays. Have we forgotten the real meaning of Christmas? Or have the Christians? This talk from David's 'The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion" series takes a look at the ancient (and downright spooky) pagan origins and evolution of not just Yuletide, but all our winter season holidays from Halloween to New Year's Eve. |
| 10/11/2015 - 4:00pm | Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, and A.I. |
Come to Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way, 4-6 PM Oct 11th, to witness an imaginary meeting of minds between Ada, the earliest computer programmer, and Alan, the father of modern computing, born almost exactly one hundred years later. Their dialog will focus on the promise and peril of computing particularly what Turing called the "Lady Lovelace Objection" that computers will never be able to think or become conscious. |
| 09/13/2015 - 4:00pm | "In Pursuit of Happiness" |
The September 13, 2015, 4-6pm Salon: "In Pursuit of Happiness", a round robin discussion, moderated by Surya Bolom will be at The Jefferson Center. Happiness is thought of as the good life, freedom from suffering, flourishing, well-being, joy, prosperity, and pleasure. Its pursuit is enshrined as a fundamental right in the United States constitution and is sought by most of us. But what do we really know about happiness? Can we study it? Are we born with it? Can we make ourselves happier? Who’s happy and who’s not, and why? What makes us happy? Researchers are learning more and more about the answers to these questions. Join us for a lively discussion! |
| 08/09/2015 - 4:00pm | Summer Vacation for JC Salons |
The Jefferson Center Salons will be on vacation for July and August and will resume on September 13, 2015 |
| 06/14/2015 - 4:00pm | Parental Influence on Religiosity |
On Sunday, June 14th, at 4pm the Jefferson Center Salon will be a round robin discussion concerning Parental Influence on Religiosity. Long time Jefferson Center member, Noreen Hulteen, will be the moderator. Most social scientist agree that religiosity, particularly church participation, is a learned behavior. One learns his religion from those around him. Fundamentalist parents tend to bring up children who share the fundamentalist tradition; liberal religious views are found most often among those who have been trained to such views. This is a great opportunity to discuss your own religious or non religious upbringing and how it affected your beliefs as well as how it influenced your parenting. How will the fact that Millennnial's, which are the fastest rising group of "nones" as far as religious affiliation is concerned, effect the religiosity of their offspring? Please join us for a lively group discussion. This salon will be at the Jefferson Center in the Old Ashland Armory. |
| 05/03/2015 - 5:00pm | Skeptics, Delusions, Feminism, and Anger: An Interview with Carol Tavris |
Carol Tavris, our very special spring speaker in the Thomas Jefferson Lecture Series, will meet with Jeff Center members and friends on Sunday, May 3rd, 5pm at Pioneer Hall, Ashland, for a discussion of her work and ideas. Our Book Group Coordinator, Sandra Coyner, will moderate and stimulate discussion with questions related to Jeff Center themes, but YOU can ask your own questions and participate in discussion and dialogue. See the announcement for the lecture on May 5 for further details about what Dr. Tavris will present about “Self-Justifying Delusions.” The Salon will not duplicate the lecture, but should make it even more meaningful. |
| 04/19/2015 - 4:00pm | Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning |
Freedom from Religion Foundation co-President Dan Barker will speak about meaning for atheists at Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way in Ashland, at 4-6 PM. NOTE change in date to Sunday, April 19th. Every thinking person wants to lead a life of meaning and purpose. Offering words of enrichment, emancipation, and inspiration, Dan Barker reminds us how millions of atheists lead happy, loving, moral, and purpose-filled lives without any need of a higher power. |