v0.2.0 http://bigideasforum.github.io Is it too late? - Is global warming out of control? Alternative energy projects are flourishing, EVs are gaining ground, and treaties are signed. Is all that enough to save the planet, or are we fooling ourselves? In other words, are the battles already lost? Follow-Up Presentation on The Tipping Point by Torben Coming Up... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/04/02/tipping/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/04/02/tipping/ How Can We Overcome a Polarized Society? - Polarization is intensified by the internet and social media, which spread disinformation and hate speech, threatening democracy by hindering the free exchange of ideas. Social media segments audiences and promotes sensational content, leading to more polarized views. Addressing this involves exposing people to diverse groups and correcting misconceptions. Dorothy E.... Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/03/05/cog-dis/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/03/05/cog-dis/ The Forgotten Genius Behind the Electric Age - The life of Nikola Tesla, one of the most influential physicists and innovators of the 20th Century. We will look at some of his works that are the foundation of many cutting-edge technologies and products a hundred years later. Coming Up Check the Calendar Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/02/05/tesla/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/02/05/tesla/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/01/08/tech-slam28/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2026/01/08/tech-slam28/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/12/04/tech-slam27/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/12/04/tech-slam27/ Can AI truly think and be conscious? - Researchers at the four big tech companies have recently expressed concern that AI systems (robots) can (1) contemplate AND carry out activities that they have not been programmed for and which might conflict with the objectives of the owner; (2) refuse to carry out specific orders/instructions; (3) they may start... Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/11/06/ai-consciousness/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/11/06/ai-consciousness/ Exploring the Dynamics of Autonomous Entities in Modern Technology - AI Assistants have become integral to our daily lives, offering convenience and efficiency. From managing schedules and setting reminders to enhancing our web browsing experiences with smart suggestions and automated tasks, they streamline operations and foster productivity, making technology more accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Agentic systems take AI a... Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/10/02/agents/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/10/02/agents/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/09/04/tech-slam26/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/09/04/tech-slam26/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/06/05/tech-slam25/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/06/05/tech-slam25/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 01 May 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/05/01/tech-slam24/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/05/01/tech-slam24/ Exploring the Art of Contentment in a World of Endless Pursuit - The “Enough” philosophy invites us to embrace contentment with what we already have. It encourages us to appreciate our lives and find joy in the present, rather than chasing endless growth or material possessions. By focusing on gratitude and sufficiency, we can cultivate happiness and well-being without the pressures of... Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/04/03/enough/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/04/03/enough/ Exploring the Frontiers of Neural Technology - The brain is perhaps the last barrier to a full understanding of the human body. From scannings to direct implants… we will take a look at how far we have come to unlock the mysteries of the workings of the brain, and then reflect on whether the results of what... Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/03/06/bci/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/03/06/bci/ Awareness, Thought, Human Experience - Two towering scientists, David Chalmers and Anil Seth, will present their views of the nature and origin of consciousness, whether AI-bots one day can be conscious, and related issues. Alas, they were both busy on that day 🙂 However, we got the second best: An interview with both by Brian... Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/02/06/consciousness/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/02/06/consciousness/ The Floor is Yours - In this recurring program, anyone who attends tonight has a 6-7 min window to present something that might have caught their attention, something they have wondered about, a book we all should know about, etc. Formal presentations with slides and videos or getting up in front of the forum are... Thu, 02 Jan 2025 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/01/02/tech-slam23/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2025/01/02/tech-slam23/ How far have we come? - It’s less than two years ago that AI/AGI and ChatBots became household names. Now it seems like we cannot go about our lives and businesses without it. Are we being gaslit, or are we on the way to become totally dependent on these must-have, non-human interactions? Follow-Up Presentation on “AI:... Thu, 05 Dec 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/12/05/ai-update/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/12/05/ai-update/ From Echo Chambers to Common Ground - We have just been through a media storm during the general election; at times it seemed like a hurricane or a tornado. We will look at the interplay between the media, the public, and the polarization we have experienced in the last several years. As with many subjects about “social”... Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/11/07/polarization/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/11/07/polarization/ The science of senescent cells - Time flies - and we get older! We usually don’t think much about that fact of life because there’s nothing we can do about it. Or is there? To answer that question, we’ll take a look at what happens in our bodies at the cellular level when we age, and... Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/10/03/why-age/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/10/03/why-age/ The Confluence of Technology and Global Politics - Explore the intersection of technology and global politics at Big Ideas Forum’s discussion on “Chip War.” Based on the book of the same name, this event will examine how countries worldwide depend on the availability or restriction of critical high-tech components. Gain insights into the complex relationship between semiconductor technology... Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/09/05/chip-war/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/09/05/chip-war/ We will discuss this subject based on the documentary film: Alive Inside. “Alive Inside is a joyous cinematic exploration of music’s capability to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals around the country whose minds have been... Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/06/06/music-mind/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/06/06/music-mind/ The interests of shareholders normally come to mind when we think about corporations, large or small, while we rarely think about stakeholders. We will take a closer look at that in this presentation by Janice and Bob. As the national economy as a whole is impacted by the activities of... Thu, 02 May 2024 09:30:00 -0700 http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/05/02/s-cap/ http://bigideasforum.github.io/2024/05/02/s-cap/