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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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| 03/08/2015 - 4:00pm | “The Feeling of Knowing: The complex relationship of emotion and reason” |
The Salon on Sunday, March 8, at 4pm: "The Feeling of Knowing: The complex relationship of emotion and reason." Why do some people persistently believe in the existence of impossible supernatural entities? Or reject well-founded science? Or vote against their economic interest? Or put America’s children at risk for measles? Or blindly ignore evidence in favor of fallacious reasoning? A common answer is that in such cases, emotion has overwhelmed reason—e.g. “politics of fear.” Since Jeffersonian times, important parts of our culture have believed that we can be reasonable only when we suppress emotion. Other parts of our culture want to elevate emotion above reason, at least some of the time. Both of these views assume that reason and emotion are opposites or even enemies. But recent brain science, as revealed in books read by the Jeff Center and Brain Books discussion groups, fairly blows this model out of the water. Emotion and reason are intertwined—in all of us, pretty much all the time. Sandra Coyner, as moderator, will lead us to share our experiences with this complex relationship of emotion and reason. She will also present a brief introduction to some evidence-based explanations of how we “know,” leading us perhaps to increased humility, and appreciation of our own flaws and of others’ integrity. |
| 02/08/2015 - 4:00pm | Networking with SOU Secular Student Alliance |
At the February 8th (4pm) Salon, SOU Secular Student Alliance members (SSA) will be our guests and we will be focusing on forming an ongoing relationship with them. Len Eisenberg as facilitator will lead a round robin discussion, discussing not only why they joined the SSA but also how they came to acquire their secular world view and how that view affects their interpersonal relationships. In addition, they are looking for a community action volunteer project to become involved with so if you have ideas for that please be willing to present that to them for consideration. This will be a fun salon as we endeavor to infuse some youth into our organization. NOTE THIS WILL BE AT PIONEER HALL. |
| 01/11/2015 - 4:00pm | Salon: Ada Lovelace “Enchantress of Numbers” |
Historian, Victoria Law, will speak about the important history of Ada Lovelace (considered by many to be the first computer programmer). Ada Lovelace Day, which this year falls on October 13th, was established in 2009 and has developed into an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Ada Augusta Byron, the Countess of Lovelace, born in 1815, had the genius and vision to see the possibilities for computers that none of her contemporaries, male or female, could see. The daughter of the famous English poet, Lord Byron, Ada’s deep understanding of mathematics gave her an intuitive understanding of the first computer, Babbage’s Analytical Engine. |
| 12/14/2014 - 4:00pm | "Are We Alone?" |
"Are We Alone?" For centuries men have looked to the skies and wondered if we were alone in the vast universe. Len Eisenberg, past president of The Jefferson Center, will examine the evidence for the likely presence, or absence, of multiple space-faring civilizations in our galaxy, and the implications for policy decisions here on Earth. |
| 11/09/2014 - 4:00pm | "Sexy Violence! Violent Sex! The Weird-ass Morality of the Bible" |
“Sexy Violence! Violent Sex! The Weird-ass Morality of the Bible” - IS every sperm sacred? Was Paul gay? Where’s MY concubines? David Fitzgerald will be discussing these and many other important biblical morality questions (Please be advised that this talk gets a little racy & contains strong language). David Fitzgerald has been called both “The Ferris Bueller of San Francisco” and “one of the busiest Atheist activists in the Bay Area.” A former Southern Baptist, he had a secular epiphany in his 20's and is now Action Coordinator for San Francisco Atheists and on the national speaker's bureaus of the Secular Student Alliance and Center for Inquiry. He is also co-founder/director of the world’s first Atheist Film Festival and San Francisco's annual Darwin Day celebration, "Evolutionpalooza!" and (with Greta Christina) the Godless Perverts Story Hour. PLEASE NOTE: This salon will be at the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way. |
| 09/14/2014 - 4:00pm | Salon: The Jefferson Center Mission Committee Update |
Exclusive Member-only Salon. Much has happened since January in response to the Jefferson Center Future Planning session. At this special Salon, the Mission Committee will present our current understanding of the Jefferson Center Mission Statement and ask you, our membership, for input. At the meeting you will: |
| 07/13/2014 - 4:00pm | Special Event/Salon "Inequality for All" Documentary |
The documentary "Inequality for All" will be shown at the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, Ashland on Sunday, July 13, 4pm sponsored by the newly formed Jefferson Center Community Action Committee. The general public is invited so bring your friends as well. |
| 06/08/2014 - 4:00pm | "A Waning Warming; What's up With That?" |
On Sunday, June 8th, at 4pm. an exploration of the claim that global warming has slowed/halted will be presented by Dr Alan Journet. Looking at global atmospheric temperature trends since 1998 once again climate science deniers are claiming that global warming has slowed or stopped so we no longer need to worry about its consequences or address its symptoms. Alan will explore that claim. |
| 05/11/2014 - 4:00pm | Briscoe Geology Park Tour |
Len Eisenberg, past president of The Jefferson Center, will lead a tour through geologic time at the Briscoe Geology Park, 265 N Main St, Ashland on Sunday May 11 at 4pm. Bring your questions and comments for the many issues, both ancient and modern, connected to study of earth and life history. Briscoe Geology Park contains three 'time walks' along with visitors and students discover local geology, and how life and our planet have changed through time. Adventurous souls can try their hand at a grade 6 to 8 activity sheet, the same as students attempt to complete when they come to the park on field trips. More about the park can be found at http://ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=14136. Please note we will meet at the Park and then gather for refreshments and discussion following the presentation in Len's studio inside the old Briscoe Elementary School. |
| 04/13/2014 - 4:00pm | "Engaging Creationists: Should You?" |
We often hear or read something about the origins that is so erroneous that it takes us by surprise and often leaves us speechless. Do we remain silent or speak up? If we decide to challenge statements that are incorrect we should probably ask ourselves several important questions first. What are our goals? How effective will we be? Will presenting evidence work? Are there any dangers to relationships? In this presentation by Dr Jon Peters we will look at why arguing with evidence can often make the situation worse and why, the contribution of confirmation bias, and how motivated reasoning is so central to the creationist. Please note change of venue ...we will be meeting at the Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way. |